UMass Chan Medical School Program

The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program designed for physicians who have completed training in internal or family medicine. This program emphasizes the health and well-being of older adults, providing a comprehensive exposure to various healthcare settings and practices tailored to the unique needs of this population.

The fellowship is structured to include a combination of longitudinal and block clinical experiences across outpatient, inpatient, home care, long-term care, and subacute care environments. This broad exposure allows fellows to comprehensively learn the principles of Geriatric Medicine while working closely with faculty from multiple departments within UMass Chan.

Program Curriculum

The curriculum incorporates a diverse range of educational activities aimed at providing a well-rounded training experience. Fellows participate in hands-on clinical care, alongside formal educational conferences that cover critical geriatric topics. Weekly supervision in the geriatric medicine ambulatory clinic is a cornerstone of the training, where fellows supervise evaluations of patients over 70 years of age and follow a panel of patients throughout their fellowship.

Longitudinal Experiences

Alongside the clinical experiences, fellows engage in a half-day per week at a long-term care facility, following a group of patients with a faculty preceptor. This hands-on training is complemented by time spent with an interprofessional team at one of the local PACE sites, allowing fellows to integrate care across settings. Such exposure is critical for developing a broad perspective on the complexities involved in geriatric medicine.

Block Rotations

The fellowship also includes several block rotations focusing on different aspects of geriatric medicine. For instance, fellows rotate through long-term care centers where they manage new admissions and coordinate care with various specialists, thereby gaining invaluable proficiency in both acute and chronic care settings.

Educational Conferences

Fellows participate in a twice-monthly Geriatric Medicine Conference Series, which is vital for discussing recent developments and case studies in geriatric care. Other components include journal clubs and grand rounds, ensuring ongoing professional development through engagement with the wider medical community.

Research and Quality Improvement

In addition to clinical training, fellows are encouraged to engage in research activities and quality improvement projects, contributing to ongoing scholarship in geriatric medicine. This not only enhances the educational experience but also impacts patient care positively.

Fellowship Faculty

The program is supported by a dedicated faculty team from both the Department of Medicine and the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. This dual affiliation enriches the academic environment and provides fellows with mentors who are experts in their fields, from comprehensive geriatric assessment to palliative care.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at UMass is competitive and aims to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Applicants should have completed their residency in internal or family medicine. While there are no strict limits on attempts for the USMLE exams, candidates are expected to show resilience and academic competence throughout their training. The program is friendly to both MD and DO graduates, as well as IMGs, thus broadening its accessibility.

Visa Support

The fellowship program offers support for J-1 and H-1B visa types, facilitating international medical graduates in pursuing their training in the United States. This is an essential aspect of the program's commitment to fostering a diverse and international learning environment.

Testimonials from Fellows

Current and past fellows have expressed high satisfaction with the training received during the fellowship, citing the breadth of learning opportunities, collegial environment, and extensive support from faculty as critical to their professional development. Testimonials highlight experiences in teaching, quality improvement projects, and personal growth in geriatric medicine.

Overall, the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School stands out in its comprehensive approach to training skilled geriatricians, preparing them to meet the complex needs of older adults.