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Cathleen Sellner Colon-Emeric

James B. Wyngaarden Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care
Duke Box 3003, Durham, NC 27710
3502 Hosp South, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Current research focuses on the epidemiology, prediction, and prevention of osteoporotic fractures in elderly persons, and in improving the quality of care delivered to residents in skilled nursing facilities. Ongoing projects include a large, administrative database study of osteoporosis screening in men, a randomized trial of different staff education strategies to improve fall prevention in nursing homes, and several clinical demonstration projects.

Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations


James B. Wyngaarden Distinguished Professor of Medicine · 2025 - Present Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Medicine
Professor of Medicine · 2017 - Present Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Medicine
Chief, Division of Geriatrics in the Department of Medicine · 2019 - Present Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Medicine
Senior Fellow in the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development · 2003 - Present Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Institutes and Centers

Recent News Items


Published August 12, 2026
News You Can Use: Heat and Vulnerable Populations
Published September 4, 2025
Men Have Bone Loss Similar to Women. A VA Program Helped Them Catch It Early
Published March 25, 2025
Duke Honors 31 New Distinguished Professors

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Recent Scholarly Works


Feasibility and acceptability of remote ischemic conditioning combined with low-intensity resistance training in older adults with mobility impairments: A randomized controlled pilot trial protocol.

Journal article Exp Gerontol · July 2026 BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation outcomes in older individuals with mobility impairments are often suboptimal due to limited capacity for high-intensity exercise. Remote ischemic conditioning is a low-cost, non-invasive technique that may enhance physiological a ... Full text Link to item Cite

Comparing two methods to quantify physical resilience.

Journal article J Frailty Aging · June 20, 2026 Physical resilience, conceptualized as the extent of observed recovery after a health stressor, is an important construct in research on aging and frailty. Various methods have been proposed to quantify physical resilience using repeated measures of health ... Full text Link to item Cite

Examining Quality-of-Life Priorities of Older Adults Receiving Hemodialysis: A Q-Methodology Study.

Journal article Kidney Med · June 2026 RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Older adults represent the fastest-growing demographic group initiating hemodialysis (HD) in the United States. Compared with older adults who do not receive HD, they commonly report a lower quality of life (QOL). However, their pers ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


2/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University

ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences · 2025 - 2030

Models of Post-Acute Care in Complex Older Adults with Fracture

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2024 - 2030

Endocrinology and Metabolism Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2029

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Education


Johns Hopkins University · 1994 M.D.