MGI is a non-profit organization with a mission to make a significant difference in improving the lives of the elderly and to make our region a center of excellence for elder well-being through specialized health care and education.
Of the many projects Mystic Geriatrics Institute has undertaken, none has given me more pleasure than the Elderly Arts Project. Begun in February, and conceived by Board member Curt Lynch, this project pairs Stonington High School students with senior citizens in this region, with the goal of creating poetry based on the senior’s life experiences. Curt based his idea on a project started by our founder, Americo Petrocelli. He brought artists together with residents of Stoneridge (a Stonington apartment complex for senior citizens). With the able assistance of local poet Melanie Greenhouse, they combined music, poetry, and other art forms in a salon-like atmosphere.
We obtained the cooperation of Stonington High School principal Mark Friese and the coordinator of volunteer programs, Janice Lamb. In March two students volunteered a sophomore and a senior, the latter being the Poet Laureate of Stonington High School. They, in turn, reached out to two seniors, one in a local nursing home, the other a neighbor of the student. Over the past month, the students have met with their older counterparts. They have written a few poems. In one poem a young couple, while visiting Ireland, walks down a cobblestone street, ending up in a pub and dancing to its music. Another describes the moment a young woman realized she is in love.
We hope to record the poets reading their work, and accompany their readings with music. We hope to make these recordings available to the public on our website, and to the high school. It is fitting that these poems were created during April, the month in which we celebrate poetry.
MGI is a not-for-profit 501 © 3 organization. Any donation to support our programs is greatly appreciated.
Christopher Morren, MD
President
Create an organization in our region to foster the development and communication of effective geriatric care.
Coordinate responses to elder issues, broadcasting effective strategies to invested audiences though workshops, conferencing and symposia.
Educate and collaborate with communities to establish infrastructure and services that promote elder well-being.
CHRIS MORREN, M.D.
President
Board Certified Geriatrician
MICHAEL FELTES, M.D.
Vice President
Board Certified Geriatrician
Mystic Geriatrics, LLC.
ROBIN ELY, R.N., D.N.P.
Secretary
Mind Matters, LLC
SANDRA A. SHARR, ESQ.
Treasurer
State of Connecticut (Retired)
ROBERT LOWELL, Ph.D.
U.S. Navy (Retired) and Engineer
CURTIS LYNCH
Business Consultant
REP. KATE ROTELLA
State Representative, 43rd District
REV. MARK A. SANTUCCI
Episcopal Priest (Retired)