AdventHealth Florida Program

The AdventHealth Geriatric Medicine fellowship program offers a comprehensive one-year training experience for physicians aiming to become experts in geriatric care. Established in 1998, the program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), preparing graduates to take the Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) Examination in Geriatrics. The fellowship emphasizes the varied aspects of geriatric care, combining clinical training with scholarly activities and practical experiences.

Program Overview

The fellowship spans twelve months, focusing on both medical and non-medical facets of elder care including regulatory, economic, psycho-social, pharmacologic, and rehabilitative aspects. The educational framework prioritizes a multidisciplinary team approach, engaging fellows across various settings such as inpatient care, outpatient clinics, assisted living, and community outreach. This experience is designed to enhance learners' clinical skills while fostering a strong understanding of geriatric healthcare dynamics.

Training Sites and Rotations

The fellowship includes extensive rotations through a variety of clinical settings:

• Hospital-based care
• Outpatient services
• Skilled nursing and assisted living facilities
• Geriatric psychiatry
• Home health agencies
• Community outreach programs
• Pharmacy services

Fellows have the opportunity to engage in clinical rotations across multiple associated facilities including the Mayflower at Winter Park and Westminster Winter Park, facilitating diverse learning opportunities. Each fellow receives direct supervision from board-certified faculty in Geriatrics, allowing for a personalized mentorship experience.

Curriculum and Didactics

The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care tailored for complex health issues affecting the elderly population. Fellows partake in structured didactic sessions and scholarly pursuits that involve research projects, case studies, and quality improvement initiatives through the Center for Academic Research Excellence (CARE). This infrastructure supports residents and fellows in research study designs, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Eligibility and Competitiveness

The program accepts candidates who are board certified or eligible in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine. Applicants need to demonstrate a commitment to geriatrics through relevant experiences in their prior training or practice. They must also comply with the program's regulatory standards, including obtaining Florida Medical Licensure and DEA registration prior to matriculation.

The fellowship has a competitive admissions process, welcoming both U.S. medical graduates and international graduates (IMGs). It does not impose a graduation cutoff date and is generally supportive of diverse educational backgrounds.

Visa Sponsorship and Support

The AdventHealth Geriatric Medicine Fellowship supports visa sponsorship, specifically offering the H-1B visa option for qualified international medical graduates. This visa enables foreign nationals to work in specialty occupations, including the medical field, reinforcing the program’s commitment to fostering a diverse and skilled cohort of fellows.

Benefits and Resources

Fellows receive a competitive salary alongside a benefits package that includes:

• Continuing education allowance of $1,500 per year
• Four weeks of paid vacation annually
• Access to wellness resources and support programs
• Opportunities for professional development through leadership roles

Through these provisions, the fellowship aims to enhance both professional and personal growth during the training year.

Conclusion

Graduates of the program have successfully secured roles in academia, healthcare administration, and private practice, effectively contributing to the field of geriatrics across various platforms. The fellowship not only prepares fellows for board certification but also instills a deep understanding of the unique challenges associated with aging patients, ultimately enriching the quality of care provided to the elderly population.