Trinity Health Grand Rapids Program

The Trinity Health Grand Rapids Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program is a clinically oriented one-year program tailored for physicians trained in either family medicine or internal medicine. This program addresses the critical need for geriatricians in the context of an aging population, with a projected 70 million individuals over the age of 65 by 2030. The fellowship is situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city rich in medical resources and educational opportunities, and has established connections with various health care entities across the state.

Fellows in the program will benefit from integrated training resources, including collaboration with the fellowship program in East Lansing, Michigan. The program offers access to multiple health care facilities and resources, including the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, various Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), and esteemed faculty who are deeply involved in geriatric medicine.

Program Overview

The program is designed to train fellows in comprehensive geriatric care. The curriculum includes rotations in diverse clinical settings, such as inpatient, hospice and palliative medicine, physical rehabilitation, geropsychiatry, and subacute care. Additionally, elective rotations afford fellows further opportunities to develop specialized skills. The curriculum has been carefully crafted to ensure fellows become proficient in handling the complexities of geriatric patient care, enhancing their competencies for the geriatric medicine board examination.

The fellowship program also emphasizes research opportunities, encouraging each fellow to engage in a quality assurance and performance improvement project, alongside the completion of a research project to be presented at regional or national conferences.

Curriculum

The fellowship curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical experiences, majorly concentrated within local community settings. Key rotations include:

• Hospice and Palliative Medicine – 1 block (4 weeks)
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – 1 block (4 weeks)
• Inpatient at St. Mary’s Health Care – 2 blocks (8 weeks)
• Geropsychiatry – 2 blocks (8 weeks)
• Sub-Acute Rehabilitation – 5 blocks (20 weeks)
• Memory Disorders – 1 block (4 weeks)
• Electives – 1 block (4 weeks)

This structured exposure enables fellows to not only gain practical skills but also to collaborate with experienced professionals across various specialties, facilitating a multifaceted approach to geriatric care.

Application Process and Requirements

The application process for the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at Trinity Health Grand Rapids accepts applications through the ERAS system. The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. There is also an opportunity for candidates to enter “off cycle,” providing flexibility for applicants.

Specific application requirements may include a recent graduation date from medical school and minimum performance benchmarks on courses or exams, although exact thresholds are not detailed in the program descriptions. The program is competitive and generally welcoming towards applicants with diverse backgrounds, including those from DO and IMG categories.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international medical graduates, as it sponsors the J-1 visa for fellowship applicants. This can be beneficial for eligible candidates who require sponsorship to participate in the program.

Salary and Benefits

The fellowship offers a generous benefits package inclusive of competitive compensation, further enhancing the appeal of the program to prospective fellows.

The collaborative learning environment, combined with the program's comprehensive structure, not only fosters a deep understanding of geriatric medicine but also promotes the development of a strong professional network among peers and established faculty.