Gene Cohen, the Founding Editor of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (1944–2009)

Abstract

Gene D. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., the founding Editorin-Chief of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (AJGP) passed away on November 7, 2009, at the young age of 65 years. Gene was a trail blazer, a visionary leader, and a pioneer in the field of geriatric psychiatry for more than 30 years. As a researcher, educator, clinician, administrator, and advocate older people, he worked for better understanding of the biopsychosocial processes of aging and helped to shift the emphasis in gerontological research from the problems of people as they age to the potential they can realize. Gene was one of the founders of geriatric psychiatry in the United States and shared his in-depth knowledge of the phenomena occurring in the brain aswe age and their effects on cognitive and psychosocial development. In 1978, Gene and a small group of other leaders in the field met to form the first national group on geriatric psychiatry, creating the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, now 2,000 members strong. In 1992, plans were made to start a new journal for this organization. There was unanimity among the leaders that the best person to head this important venture would be Gene. His personal stature and inspiring leadership led to the AJGP being listed in MEDLINE in 1996, and its growth has never stopped ever since. When Gene stepped down from the editorship in 2001, the journal had become an internationally known publication in geriatric psychiatry. Gene’s interest in research on aging went farther back into his early life. As a high school student, he