Geriatric Services

Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit

Improving Outcomes for Older Patients

Older adults often have medical needs requiring specialized care while they're in the hospital. That's why Highland Hospital opened the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit. The only resource of its kind in the region, the ACE Unit was specifically designed to meet the unique needs of older patients and their loved ones.

Tending to the Little Things as Well as the Big Things

What unique needs does the ACE Unit meet? As part of our coordinated, compassionate approach to geriatric care, we tend to all the "little things" that are especially important in getting the best results for an older person, such as:

  • A proper diet
  • Skin care
  • Keeping track of medications
  • Pain management
  • Timely information
  • Coordination of home care

We also tend to the "big things." In fact, Highland Hospital's ACE Unit has more board-certified geriatricians, providing more complete care for older patients, than any other hospital in the area.

Working Together

The ACE Unit’s physicians are supported by a team of specially trained, highly dedicated medical professionals. Together they give our patients top-notch care—in the compassionate atmosphere that Highland Hospital is known for. The ACE Unit provides:

  • Coordinated Care—Our physicians work closely with nurses, pharmacists, therapists, social workers, and other specialists to give our patients the very best care.
  • Leading Resources—Our ACE Unit is part of the Strong Health Network and University of Rochester Medical Center. That means its doctors and staff have easy access to leading research, as well as some of the nation's top equipment and facilities.
  • Rehabilitation Services—All of our older patients participate in therapy programs (as needed) to address physical, speech, and other conditions and help them return to their normal routines as quickly as possible.
  • A Team Approach—Teamwork between our doctors and medical staff, our patients, and their loved ones often results in a quicker, more complete recovery. We listen, we communicate clearly, and we involve everyone in patient care and after-care support.

Our Goal: To Help You

Our ACE Unit provides these services to help our older patients return to a productive, meaningful life as quickly as possible. To do this, we work hard to achieve these goals:

  • Optimum functioning of mind and body
  • Emphasis on patient dignity and comfort
  • Meet both patient needs and preferences
  • Simple admission/discharge processes
  • Minimal stress from hospitalization
  • Minimal readmissions
  • Clear, constant communication
  • Presentation of all relevant medical options
  • Safe return to home or living facility

Our Providers

Some of the nation's top geriatricians work at Highland Hospital's ACE Unit.

Corey Romesser., M.D.
Medical Director, ACE Unit

Robert M. McCann, M.D.
Chief of Medicine, Highland Hospital

William J. Hall, M.D.
Director, Center for Healthy Aging

Hannelore Updyke, R.N., M.S.N.
Unit Manager

Barb Schrage, R.N., M.S., FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner

Karen Lewis, M.S.W.
Social Worker

Kathy Luby, M.S.W.
Social Worker

Helpful Information

The ACE Unit is located at:

Highland Hospital
1000 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 473-2200

Visiting Hours

Family and friends are welcome—and encouraged—to visit their loved one in the hospital. Formal visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. But these hours are flexible depending on the patient's needs. We do all we can to accommodate visitors.