Vanderbilt’s Geriatric Cardiology Clinic creates path to better health for older adults

Thomas Kent has never met a stranger. He is quick to share tales about his time as a music manager in Las Vegas or to pull out one of his favorite one-liners. He says he’s the only Quaker minister in town with a wife behind the pulpit to strike a “bada-bing” after each joke.

What can be difficult about Kent is getting him to talk about his health.

“I’ve seen a lot and I’ve been lucky. For example, I had my first heart attack while I was already here at Vanderbilt. It’s a good place to be if something happens,” Kent said.

The 66-year-old recently visited Vanderbilt’s Geriatric Cardiology Clinic, which opened in August 2012. Susan Bell, M.D., Vanderbilt’s only dual-trained geriatric cardiologist says it offers a more holistic approach for older adults with heart disease, and provides top-level, evidence-based care for this growing population.