Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Program

Program Overview

The Geriatrics Fellowship Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) focuses on preparing physicians for the care of older adults. It provides a comprehensive training experience in various clinical settings, including clinics, nursing homes, and through home visits.

This program trains physicians primarily from Family Medicine and Internal Medicine, reflecting the growing demand for skilled Geriatricians in response to an aging population. The fellowship duration is designed to be one year, with an emphasis on developing competencies in patient care, medical knowledge, and the option for research and educational pursuits.

Training Structure

The fellowship program’s structure includes critical components: patient care experiences, a core educational curriculum, and research opportunities. The curriculum spans from July 1 to June 30, although fellows can sometimes adjust the start date to better meet their needs.

Patient Care Experience

The patient care experience is central to the fellowship. It builds on fellows' previous training in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine, integrating them into clinically supervised environments. Training includes rotations in various facilities, such as:

• VA Geriatrics Consults
• Inpatient geriatrics assessment and treatment/rehab at Zablocki VA Medical Center
• Geriatrics primary care continuity clinic at the VA Medical Center
• Home visits through Home Care Medical and Horizon Home Care and Hospice
• Palliative Care inpatient rotations
• Community Care for the Elderly outpatient center

Core Curriculum Educational Experiences

The program ensures that educational content meets diverse learning styles. Among the teaching formats are:

• Weekly Geriatrics Division Journal Club
• Interest rounds focusing on challenging patient cases
• Interdisciplinary team rounds
• Online mini-courses on geriatrics topics
• Participation in a regional telephone forum
• Weekly conferences for fellows
• Monthly combined fellowship conferences

Key topics include Geriatric Assessment, Drug Therapy in the Elderly, and economics of aging, ensuring fellows emerge with robust knowledge essential for practicing Geriatric Medicine.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to engage in research, with structured experiences tailored to their interests. There are monthly research seminars showcasing ongoing faculty research and allowing fellows to cultivate their own projects. Time is allocated within the program for fellows to focus on research initiatives or quality improvement projects.

Application Prerequisites and Competitiveness

To apply for the fellowship, candidates need an MD or DO degree and board eligibility to take the Internal Medicine or Family Medicine Board Exam. Completing a graduate medical education program in one of these areas is also required. The program is moderately competitive and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including DO and IMG physicians.

Visa Sponsorship

The fellowship program offers visa support. Eligible positions may be sponsored under J-1 and H-1B visa types, facilitating entry for international medical graduates interested in the program.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The Medical College of Wisconsin hosts the first Medicine-Geriatrics combined residency program in the nation, providing a unique educational framework that allows trainees to merge their Internal Medicine residency training with Geriatric Medicine. This innovative approach fosters a better understanding of both disciplines, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to older patients.

The fellowship program also enjoys a vibrant community of residents and fellows who collaborate and support each other, creating an enriching learning environment.

Further Opportunities and Leadership

Fellows and residents are not only prepared to provide exceptional patient care but also encouraged to pursue leadership roles within the field of Geriatric Medicine. The program fosters relationships with faculty mentors, who guide career planning and provide insights into research and educational opportunities.