The University of Waterloo and Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) are pleased to announce that Dr. Tejal Patel, Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy, has been appointed as Schlegel Chair in Medication Management and Aging.
Dr. Patel’s research focuses on pharmacotherapeutic management of neurological conditions, in particular dementia, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Her current research interests include the assessment, classification and management of drug related problems in persons presenting with cognitive impairment as well as the frail elderly in primary care settings, with a particular focus on medication management capacity and adherence to medications. Additionally, Dr. Patel has worked at the MINT Memory Clinic since 2009 as a pharmacist. This clinic provides care to those with cognitive impairments and dementia in a primary care setting.
"We are excited to welcome Tejal as Schlegel Research Chair,” said Tammy Cumming, Acting Executive Director at the RIA. "Throughout her time at the RIA, she has demonstrated a commitment to research that delivers real impact. Her expertise and experience will drive change and deliver the actionable insights needed to help older adults live well."
With over 25 years of experience as a pharmacist in interdisciplinary teams serving persons diagnosed with epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease and dementia, informing her research, Dr. Patel aims to optimize medication use by older adults in home and in clinic-based settings. In pursuit of this goal, Dr. Patel’s research program investigates the role of healthcare technology in supporting older adults with self-management of medications, develops tools to support care-partners assist older adults with medication management tasks and develops medication review instruments to facilitate the identification and resolution of medication related problems amongst older adults by all clinicians, but especially pharmacists.
Dr. Patel has been involved with the RIA as a scientist since 2017, as specialist in 2023 to 2026 and this move to Chair will continue to foster collaborations with other aging-related researchers to inform health aging and well-being.
“I am excited about the ability to continue working with the RIA to optimize medication use and management for older adults and their care partners,” Patel says. “Medications are a key part of the lives of many older adults, and I aim to optimize the use of medications as much as possible.”
Dr. Patel hopes to reach this goal through multiple pronged approaches: examining how to enable older adults to continue managing their medications at home through the use of technology and providing pharmacists with the tools necessary to conduct medication reviews with older adults that have cognitive impairments to improve their medication use.
About the RIA
The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life and care for older adults. The RIA tackles some of the biggest issues facing an aging population by integrating research, education and practice. The RIA develops solutions that make a difference to benefit older adults everywhere.
About the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
As Canada’s most innovative pharmacy school, Waterloo Pharmacy is leading the future of healthcare through a strategic integration of experiential learning, impact-driven research, entrepreneurial culture, community partnerships, and teaching and academic excellence.