The late Gene D. Cohen, MD, PhD, founded the GW Center for Aging, Health and Humanities in 1994 and served as its director as well as held professional positions in Health Care Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. His Creativity and Aging Study looked at the impact of professionally conducted cultural programs on the physical health, mental health, and social functioning of older adults. It was the first controlled study to look at the impact of tapping into creative potential apart from treating problems to promote health with aging.