Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Fontana) Program

The Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Fontana) Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine is designed for internal medicine or family medicine graduate physicians seeking to enhance their expertise in geriatric care. The mission of the program is to train competent, ethical, and resilient geriatricians committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care to a diverse elderly population.

This one-year fellowship emphasizes both inpatient and outpatient experiences, covering essential aspects of geriatric care including sub-acute ventilator management, hospice, and palliative care. The fellowship aims to foster new leaders who will either practice as geriatricians, focus on primary care for the frail elderly, or engage in teaching and research related to aging.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes a variety of teaching methodologies, such as grand rounds, clinical lectures, and bedside rounds. Fellowship participants have opportunities to collaborate with UCLA for an optional Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine. The fellowship curriculum supports the development of academic skills through periodic sessions with program directors, and emphasizes teaching skills that align with academic administration, such as feedback, role play, and learner-centered techniques. Fellows play a vital role in teaching nursing staff, residents, and conducting bedside rounds. Research opportunities are also available, supported by the department of GPCC at Kaiser Foundation Hospital.

The rotations schedule for fellows includes core areas such as hospice/palliative care, geriatric psychiatry, and internal medicine subspecialties, alongside outpatient geriatrics and continuity of care in podiatry and physical medicine.

Training Facilities

The program utilizes several clinical sites for training, including the Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center and local nursing facilities such as the Inland Valley Nursing Home and Reche Canyon Rehabilitation Center. Fontana Medical Center caters to a large population of over 600,000, offering fellows the chance to work closely with a diverse patient demographic.

Faculty

Fellows are guided by an experienced faculty team, which includes MDs with specialization in Family Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Medicine. This faculty comprises program directors and liaisons who facilitate the integration of fellows into both medical education and clinical settings, offering mentorship and support throughout the training period.

Fellowship Competitiveness

The program is recognized for its strong support of fellowship applicants from diverse educational backgrounds, including DO and IMG candidates. This indicates a commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for various medical graduates. The fellowship is competitive, with an emphasis on applicants showing a strong dedication to geriatrics.

Application Process and Requirements

Applicants to the program must hold a degree in either Family Medicine or Internal Medicine with a completed residency. The program encourages early submission of applications due to the competitiveness of interview slots, which are filled between August and October. Two positions are typically available each year, with expected starting dates around July 1.

Visa Sponsorship

The Kaiser Permanente Southern California Geriatric Medicine Fellowship offers visa support, assisting candidates who require sponsorship for visa types such as J-1 and H-1B visas to participate in the fellowship. This facilitates the inclusion of international medical graduates who are keen to enhance their skills in geriatric medicine.

Community Engagement

Fellows are encouraged to partake in community service initiatives, enhancing their learning experience while giving back to the community. Faculty members actively engage with various community agencies that advocate for the elderly population, ensuring that fellows are well-acquainted with public health aspects affecting geriatric care.

Opportunities for participation in local and national conferences are available, promoting the exchange of knowledge and research in geriatric medicine amongst peers.