Fellowships: Geriatric Medicine

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Division of Gerontology at the Oregon Health Sciences University together offer a one-year accredited clinical Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine. We also offer a three-year program consisting of one year of clinical Geriatrics combined with two-years of Geriatric research in partnership with our General Medicine Fellowship program.

Our Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Services consist of Geriatric Assessment and Primary Care Clinics, a 63-bed Nursing Skilled Care Unit/Subacute Unit, a 10-bed geriatric rehabilitation unit, and a home care program. In addition, geriatric Fellows serve consultative roles in geroneurology and geropsychiatry. Rotations are scheduled in outpatient geroneurology, dermatology and women’s incontinence clinics. A longitudinal nursing home experience is provided in a community setting with University faculty. Additional educational components include hospice and elective rotations. There are also opportunities to train with geriatricians in the community. Fellows learn the principles of interdisciplinary assessment, management and rehabilitation of elderly patients with complex medical, psychological and socioeconomic problems.

Our geriatric program offers opportunities for the Fellow to teach housestaff and other health care professionals. Residents and interns are assigned to our teaching service throughout the year. The Fellowship also provides training opportunities working with mid-level providers in long-term care settings.

It is the philosophy of this program that research training is an essential element of the Fellowship. First year fellows will participate in course work covering basic research methodology. Fellows pursuing the three year academic program will be expected to formulate and conduct or participate in a research study under the supervision of a faculty member during this time.

Teaching Conferences

1. Geriatric Journal Club: Recent literature dealing with specific problems (pathophysiologic, diagnostic, or therapeutic) that apply to geriatrics are reviewed monthly by the Fellows and faculty.
2. Research Methods: This is presented weekly for geriatric and general medicine Fellows during the summer to foster individual projects and learn how to write for publication.
3. Teaching Curriculum: Fellows participate in a weekly seminar designed to foster skills in academic medicine, such as teaching methods and curriculum development.
4. Fellows are encouraged to attend Department of Medicine conferences, which include Morning Report, weekly Grand Rounds, and clinical case conferences.
5. Research Methodologies: Two-year Fellows are expected to take courses in basic statistics and clinical epidemiology offered through the School of Public Health.

Application
We welcome your interest in our program. In order to apply for the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, applicants must submit all of the following:

1. Application Form VA 10-2850 (PDF)
2. OHSU Application Form (PDF)
3. Curriculum vitae (including undergraduate major)
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Dean’s letter verifying completion of medical school
6. Letters from program director verifying previous specialty training including dates.
7. Proof of licensure (copy of license and recent certificate of annual registration)
8. A personal statement regarding your interest in a one- or three-year Fellowship and your career goals.

Applications and supporting letters should be sent to:
Carol Joseph, M.D.
Director, Geriatric Fellowship Program
Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (P3-GERI)
3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road
P.O. Box 1034
Portland, OR 97207
Phone: 503/273-5014
FAX: 503/721-7807
Email: carol.joseph@med.va.gov

OHSU is an equal opportunity employer.