February 2025

GERIATRICS

FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: NEVIN KAMAL, MD

Can you share your journey into geriatrics and what motivated you to pursue this specialty?
My journey into geriatrics has been shaped by both personal and professional experiences. Growing up, I admired my grandparents' resilience and the wisdom they shared, which fostered my deep respect for older adults. During my medical training, I found myself drawn to the complexity of caring for aging patients and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on their quality of life. Geriatrics allows me to combine compassion, problem-solving, and clinical expertise to address the unique challenges of aging while also supporting patients and their families. 
 
 
What is the primary focus of your current research projects?
My current research focuses on enhancing diabetes care in post-acute care settings, where residents often face unique challenges such as multimorbidity, polypharmacy and frailty. I aim to explore strategies that optimize glycemic management while minimizing risks, such as hypoglycemia and medication side effects, tailored to the needs of this vulnerable population. This work involves developing and evaluating interventions that prioritize patient safety, quality of life and individualized care plans. Through this research, I hope to contribute to safer, more effective and compassionate diabetes care for older adults in post-acute and long-term care facilities.
 
 
How do you see your research affecting the field of geriatrics and the care of older adults?
I see my research improving diabetes care in post-acute care settings by addressing the unique challenges older adults face. By developing patient-centered strategies, my work aims to enhance glycemic management, reduce complications and improve quality of life. A key focus is ensuring these strategies are practical and sustainable, addressing staff challenges like time constraints, shortages and varying familiarity with new technologies. Ultimately, I hope to bring the widespread use of continuous glucose monitors to these settings, enabling safer and more precise glycemic management while streamlining workflows to support staff.
 
What have been some of the most impactful findings or experiences during your fellowship at Northwestern Medicine?
Some of the most impactful experiences have involved understanding the nuances of managing complex chronic conditions in older adults with multimorbidity and frailty. I have gained valuable insights into the importance of tailoring care plans to prioritize quality of life, safety and patient preferences. One particularly meaningful finding during my fellowship has been recognizing the critical role of interdisciplinary teamwork in addressing the multifaceted needs of older adults.
Collaborating with different providers has shown me how a comprehensive team-based approach can significantly improve outcomes.  This experience has highlighted the importance of holistic care not only in managing medical issues but also in addressing functional, social and emotional aspects of aging. 
 
What insights or advice would you offer to fellow geriatricians and new trainees in the field?
I would encourage fellow geriatricians and new trainees to approach each patient with a holistic mindset, recognizing the interplay between medical, functional and psychosocial factors in older adults' lives. Take the time to understand their unique goals and values, as these should guide care decisions. Embrace interdisciplinary collaboration as a cornerstone of effective geriatric care. Lastly, be patient and adaptable; managing complex cases often requires creativity and flexibility, but the impact on quality of life makes it deeply rewarding. 
 
Looking ahead, what are your career goals and how do you plan to continue making a difference in geriatrics?
Looking ahead, my career goals center on leveraging my dual training in endocrinology and geriatric medicine to create a specialized niche in endocrine care for older adults. Older adults often face unique challenges in managing endocrine disorders such as diabetes and osteoporosis, especially when compounded by multimorbidity and age-related physiological changes. My goal is to bridge the gap between these two fields by developing tailored approaches that address the complexities of aging while prioritizing patient-centered outcomes like quality of life and functional independence. 
​Nevin Kamal, MD, is a current fellow in the Division of Geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine.

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