Geriatrician Joins Williamstown Medical Associates
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Dr. Mary B. King has joined Williamstown Medical Associates and the medical staff of North Adams Regional Hospital.
King, who is board-certified in geriatrics and internal medicine, is accepting new primary-care patients ages 55 and older and is available for geriatric consultations by referral.
She completed a fellowship in geriatrics at the Center on Aging at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. Fellowship training is the highest level of qualification for a geriatrician, and involves clinical and research components. In addition to patient care, King has done research on balance, gait and fall prevention.
Geriatricians use a holistic approach to address the physical, psychological and social problems surrounding the patient and family. Conditions that geriatricians address include Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, arthritis, chronic heart and lung disease, falls and problems with gait and balance, general decline, impaired overall function, incontinence, taking multiple medications, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, sensory problems (including vision and hearing), and stroke.
"Many older people have multiple chronic diseases that can affect their daily functioning and even their independence," said King. "As a geriatrician, I look at the person as a whole to see how we can address the diseases, and minimize their effect on independent function. I also work closely with family members, visiting nurses, therapists, and other professionals to enhance the patient’s care and meet the specific needs of each patient."
She earned her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, and completed her internship and residency in medicine at St. Luke's Hospital Center in New York City. She most recently was coordinator of Geriatric Educational Programs at Hartford (Conn.) Hospital. She also was an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
King provided primary-care services for residents at a retirement community in Bloomfield, Conn., and through Hartford Hospital's outpatient Senior Health Services clinic.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. King to Williamstown Medical Associates and the northern Berkshire community,” said Dr. Robert Jandl, president of Williamstown Medical. "Her specialty of geriatrics is much needed in the community. When combined with her skills as a primary-care physician for older adults, she will be a wonderful resource."
WMA has been providing comprehensive multispecialty health care to the community since 1958 and recently opened a new health center on Adams Road. It also has offices in the Ambulatory Care Center at North Adams Regional Hospital. For information, call 413-458-8182.
