The mission of the USC Judith D. Tamkin International Symposium on Elder Abuse is to create safe and healthy environments for all older adults, here and across the world, by bringing researchers, practitioners, advocates, thought leaders, lawmakers, and other stakeholders together to share findings, strategize solutions, and help shape and propel the field of elder justice.
The theme of the 2026 Symposium is “The Elder Justice Panorama: Promising Programs, Sustainable Progress, and the Path Forward.” The agenda will address the latest research to practice developments, elder financial exploitation, applied interventions, and abuse and neglect in licensed facilities.
Registration
Registration is Now Open
The symposium is a boutique event and registration is limited to 200. Reserve your spot now!
- Early bird rate: $475 (register on or before December 10, 2025)
- Regular rate: $525 (register on or before December 11, 2025)
- Student rate: $350
Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Statement
The Keck School of Medicine of USC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
The Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California designates this live activity for a maximum of 13.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim the credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Thomas R. Cole is Director of the Center for Spiritual Direction at Congregation Beth Israel in Houston as well as Emeritus Professor and Past Director of the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics at the McGovern Medical School in Houston.
Dr. Cole’s work focuses on how society and the medical field view aging and the ethical practice of medicine. A medical humanist and cultural historian, he is a prolific and award-winning author and filmmaker.
Exploring his spiritual evolution, he is currently completing a spiritual memoir, tentatively entitled My Journey to the Angels: Towards A Spiritual Renewal (expected release 2026).
MT Connolly is a leading national expert on elder justice, a MacArthur “genius” grant awardee, and author of the 2023 book, The Measure of Our Age: Navigating Care, Safety, Money, and Meaning Later in Life, and President of the RISE Collaborative. She was the architect of the federal Elder Justice Act, founder of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, and lead author of the Elder Justice Roadmap, shaping federal, state, and local research, policy, and practice.
She is also co-designer of the community-based “RISE” model intended to introduce holistic, hopeful, and effective ways to empower older adults, reduce harms, and promote elder justice
Dr. Mark Lachs is the Irene and Roy Psaty Distinguished Professor of Medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College and Co-Chief of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, and the Director of Geriatrics for The New York Presbyterian Health Care System.
His major area of interest is underserved older adults. He has published widely in the areas of elder abuse and neglect, adult protective services, the measurement of functional status, ethics, and the financing of health care.
Posters
The USC Judith D. Tamkin International Symposium on Elder Abuse seeks submissions that explore “The Elder Justice Panorama: Promising Programs, Sustainable Progress, and the Path Forward.”
- Poster abstract submission deadline *extended* – December 15, 2025
Tamkin Scholar
The USC Judith D. Tamkin International Symposium on Elder Abuse Committee will award travel stipends to two students who demonstrate a strong interest in elder abuse research. The Tamkin Scholar Award is intended to stimulate interest in elder abuse research and facilitate attendance at the Symposium.
- Tamkin Scholar application deadline *extended* – December 15, 2025
Agenda
Accommodations
The Westin Pasadena
191 N Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
T: 626-792-2727
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support the USC Judith D. Tamkin International Symposium on Elder Abuse as a sponsor and join our esteemed group of attendees in the field of elder justice. For more information on the different opportunities, please contact elderjustice@med.usc.edu.