SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Program

The SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Program in Geriatric Medicine is designed to provide comprehensive training for physicians who are passionate about internal medicine, particularly focused on the care of older adults. The program emphasizes top-quality education, rich patient experiences, and a collaborative learning environment.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is developed around a core philosophy that encompasses both the biological basis of disease and the patient-centered approach that the Jesuit tradition embodies. Training includes extensive didactic sessions complemented by hands-on clinical experiences. Rotations are strategically scheduled to ensure residents acquire the necessary knowledge and skills at each residency stage.

Throughout the residency, residents will engage in various clinical settings, including SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and VA Saint Louis Health Care System. This exposure allows residents to manage a diverse patient population and gain experience with numerous medical conditions prevalent among the elderly, including complex chronic illnesses.

Clinical Rotations

The program provides an organized series of rotations designed to expose residents to essential core specialties, including but not limited to cardiology, geriatrics, and palliative care. During the first year, residents participate in intensive internal medicine rotations, which involve working closely with attending physicians and other health care professionals. Senior residents typically take on leadership roles on the teaching teams and are tasked with guiding interns while ensuring quality patient care.

Rotations across various clinics focus on the assessment, treatment, and management of geriatric patients, and include outpatient continuity clinics designed to develop residents' competencies in ambulatory medicine.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages resident involvement in scholarly activities, with ample opportunities for research in geriatrics and interprofessional education. Under the ASSIST program, residents are mentored through the process of researching and presenting their findings at national and regional conferences. Feedback from faculty is vital, with dedicated sessions aimed at enhancing research skills, from project conception to implementation and presentation.

Research opportunities may include various geriatric-centered projects, quality improvement initiatives, and interdisciplinary studies that enhance clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Unique Aspects of the Program

One distinctive feature of the program is the emphasis on teamwork. The residency fosters a culture of collegiality among peers, which is crucial in the dynamic medical field. The program also integrates a mentorship model, where each resident is paired with a faculty mentor to support their professional development throughout the training period.

Moreover, the program offers specialized tracks focused on primary care or hospital medicine, catering to individual interests within the field of internal medicine.

Training Sites

Residents gain practical experience through rotations predominantly at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, along with the VA Saint Louis Health Care System. The diversity of these sites provides residents with unique patient interactions ranging from acute hospital care to chronic outpatient management.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international medical graduates (IMGs), which may include sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visas. This commitment enhances the program's dedication to fostering a diverse learning environment, aligned with its inclusivity goals.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The program is known to be highly competitive. It is suitable for both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates, demonstrating a welcoming stance towards DO and IMG candidates. Applicants typically need to have graduated from medical school within the past five years, along with valid clinical experience in the U.S. healthcare system. The program prefers that applicants have a USMLE Step 1 score greater than 220, and a Step 2 score over 230. Multiple fails on certification exams are a barrier to acceptance.2