Richard H. Fortinsky, Ph.D.

Richard H. Fortinsky is Professor of Medicine at the Center on Aging and Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center School of Medicine, where he holds the Physicians Health Services Endowed Chair in Geriatrics and Gerontology. Dr. Fortinsky conducts clinical, social, and behavioral science research with the major goal of improving health and health care for older adults and their families. His major areas of investigation are: physician and family care for persons with dementia; health-related outcomes and resource use among older adults receiving home health care; evidence-based community interventions to help prevent falls in the older population; and transportation alternatives for older adults who have stopped or curtailed driving. Dr. Fortinsky received a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award in 2007 to lecture and conduct research at the School of Health Studies, University of Bradford, England. While in England, he studied the organization of care for older adults under the National Health Service, particularly current linkage efforts between primary care physicians and community mental health providers to better diagnose and manage persons affected by dementia and help their families. Dr. Fortinsky received his doctoral degree in Sociology in 1984 from Brown University, specializing in medical sociology and gerontology.