Register for The GAIT Project

The GAIT project is a FREE PROGRAM available to health and social science undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled in a University System of Maryland (USM) institution. This educational initiative is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of healthcare and social service students in assessing and managing the care of older adults. GAIT is funded through the University System of Maryland (USM) Redeployment Grant System.

GAIT introduces the comprehensive geriatric assessment and the fundamentals of interprofessional (interdisciplinary) collaboration through both didactic and clinical sessions. The clinical portion involves interprofessional teams of students and trainees from various disciplines, such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, dentistry, and physical therapy, working together on an assigned case.

During the Spring 2026 semester, both virtual and in-person GAITsare available. In-person GAIT projects are full-day, on-site events. Virtual GAITs use the Blackboard platform and Zoom conferencing services. All GAIT project participants receive a certificate of completion.

The GAIT project provides an opportunity for students to:Interact with students and professionals from a variety of disciplines;
Participate in team-building exercises that focus on the value of an interdisciplinary approach to improve quality of care for older adults;
Understand services provided to older adults; and
Learn about the needs of underserved older adult communities within our state

As an interprofessional learning experience, GAIT is designed to help students:

Understand the uniqueness of interprofessional teams and its value in providing person-centered care;
Recognize barriers to effective communication in health care teams and identify ways to reduce conflict and disagreement;
Explain aging processes and the diversity of the older adult population;
Evaluate best practices in honoring the autonomy of older persons; and
Employ effective interprofessional and intergenerational communication skills

Participants are expected to:Participate fully in the GAIT experience. Information about expectations will be sent after your registration has been processed.

SPRING 2026 GAIT TOPICS & DATES

More Information: Dr. Diane Martin, diane.martin@umaryland.edu

1 . In-person: Thursday, March 19, 2026 (8:00am-5:00pm) REGISTER HERE

Title: Dementia in Long-term Care

*Location: TidalHealth Alice B. Tawes Nursing & Rehab Ctr; 201 Halll Highway, Crisfield, MD 21817

* Meals, project materials, and a travel stipend are provided. Overnight accommodations available to participants traveling more than 50 miles to the training site.