Ohio State University Hospital Program

The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSU WMC) offers a one-year, ACGME-accredited program that is designed for physicians who are pursuing a career in geriatric medicine. This program emphasizes the development of clinical skills required for the provision of high-quality healthcare to older adults, with opportunities available in both academic and clinical settings. The fellowship focuses on fostering physicians as educators and leaders in geriatric medicine while encouraging contributions to community healthcare.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum of the fellowship incorporates a variety of rotations funded to build foundational skills in geriatric care. Key components of the fellowship include:

• Geriatric Continuity Clinic: This rotation allows fellows to provide geriatric primary care and outpatient consultation, actively involving cognitive assessments over a total of 52 weeks, with two half-days of outpatient clinic experience per week at OSU's Upper Arlington outpatient clinic.
• Inpatient Consults Service: Fellows work collaboratively with hospitalists and other specialists to manage geriatric syndromes such as delirium, frailty, and polypharmacy across three blocks totaling 12 weeks at the OSU campus hospitals.
• Subacute Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Services: A key experience includes transitional care duties involving management of the geriatric population in subacute environments for nearly eight weeks spread over two blocks.
• Long-term Care: Longitudinal care management is provided, with fellows assigned to a panel of long-term care patients over an entire year, strengthening their capability to deal with long-term health issues.
• Palliative and Hospice Care: A dedicated block rotating through inpatient consultative services provides experience in caring for terminally ill patients over four weeks.
• Elective Rotations: Fellows may select one to two elective subspecialty rotations tailored to their career goals, lasting a total of three weeks.
• Research and Scholarly Activities: The program protects dedicated research time, allowing fellows to engage in scholarly activities that culminate in presentations at conferences.
• Weekly Conference: Regular didactics, journal clubs, and morbidity & mortality discussions contribute to a comprehensive educational experience.

Through these rotations, fellows gain hands-on experience essential for their future careers in geriatrics, meeting the needs of older adults in diverse clinical settings. Moreover, the clinical environment encourages interdisciplinary collaboration which is pivotal for patient-centered care.

Application Process

To apply to the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at OSU, candidates must have completed an accredited U.S. internal medicine or family medicine residency. The process includes:

• Online application submission via ERAS, which opens in mid-July for a position starting in July of the following year.
• Participation in virtual interviews, with possible arrangements for in-person meetings upon request.
• Registration with the Medical Specialties Matching Program (MSMP) coordinated by the NRMP.

Spots are limited, with only two fellowship positions accepted each year. The program generally seeks applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to pursue geriatric medicine.

Visa Support

Ohio State's Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program offers visa sponsorship for eligible international physicians. The program primarily supports J-1 Visa immigrants, which is commonly utilized by international medical graduates wishing to complete their training in the United States.

Competitiveness and Diversity

The fellowship is known to be quite competitive. However, it maintains a welcoming stance for DO and IMG candidates, reflecting its dedication to fostering a diverse learning environment. There are no specific limitations regarding the year of medical school graduation or any restrictions on previously failed examinations, allowing a wide array of applicants to compete for spots.

Research Opportunities

Research is a significant aspect of the fellowship program, as it not only provides fellows with opportunities to engage in scholarly activities but also enhances their understanding and capabilities in geriatric medicine. The program encourages fellows to participate in multidisciplinary research projects and attend relevant conferences to present their findings.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Apart from academic excellence and robust clinical exposure, the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at Ohio State is distinguished by its integration with highly ranked departments, access to one of Ohio's most advanced medical centers, and an emphasis on community service where fellows can make a tangible impact in the lives of older adults.

The environment promotes outstanding educational experiences through direct mentorship from experienced faculty and access to a wide range of topics and discussions across the specialty of geriatrics.