Description/Overview: Geriatric care is a major driver of healthcare in the United States. The growth of the geriatric population requires that healthcare leaders develop models of care that are innovative, efficient and cost effective. The need for care coordination and application of leading practices is important to their quality of care and safety. It is estimated that up to 80% of the geriatric population have a chronic condition that requires continual attention. In this changing healthcare environment, care providers and hospitals need to provide superior patient care that addresses the special needs of the geriatric population. The first presentation will provide how a five hospital system set expectations through their strategic plan and then initiated building a culture of interprofessional geriatric excellence through a system wide structure and process. The second presentation will discuss the specific strategies used at one hospital within the system to develop a geriatric model of care through education, certification and coaching. The third presentation will provide a specific example of building a geriatric dermal defense team within the hospital setting and how the members became experts and coaches in assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers. The three presentations will all highlight opportunities for strengthening interprofessional collaboration and recognition of excellence leading to a positive work environment.