University of California Davis Health Program

The UC Davis Geriatrics Fellowship Program situated in Sacramento, California, is an innovative program aimed at nurturing fellows through comprehensive training in various domains essential for future leaders in geriatrics. This fellowship is structured to prepare fellows for excellence in clinical care, teaching, scholarship, research, quality improvement, and health care administration, ultimately mentoring them towards leadership roles within the geriatrics field.

The program offers diverse rotational opportunities across multiple sites, each designed to enhance different competencies necessary for geriatric care. Key training sites include:

• UC Davis Health, encompassing the Healthy Aging Clinic and UC Davis Medical Center.
• Sacramento VA Medical Center, featuring services such as the Acute Care for Elders inpatient consult service and the Home-Based Primary Care.
• Martinez VA Medical Center, focusing on hospice and palliative care as well as rehabilitation services.

Core curricular activities are supplemented by regular seminars, journal clubs, and peer-led discussions which aim to develop the skills required for leadership roles in geriatrics. A scholarly project is mandatory for each fellow, with optional research skill development strongly encouraged. Faculty advisors support fellows throughout the research process from conceptualization to presentation of findings. Furthermore, teaching medical students and residents forms an integral part of the fellowship, allowing fellows to hone their clinical teaching and pedagogical skills with faculty mentorship.

Clinical Training and Rotations

The fellowship exposes fellows to various clinical settings where they receive multifaceted training. Primary experiences occur at:

• UC Davis Medical Center: Core experiences include working in the multidisciplinary Healthy Aging Clinic and Inpatient Palliative Care Consult Services.
• Mercy Medical Group: This site allows fellows to engage in interdisciplinary geriatrics clinics and home visits, offering exposure to real-world applications of their training.
• VA Northern California Sacramento: Fellows gain experience in various outpatient and inpatient services including geriatric consult services and primary care coordination.
• Martinez VA Medical Center: This site focuses on rehabilitation and hospice care, contributing significantly to the fellows' understanding of post-acute care.

Program Objectives

The overarching mission of the program is to train expert geriatric medicine specialists who are adept in providing innovative, person-centered care for older adults, improving their quality of life while ensuring their dignity and independence. The program's objectives include:

• To cultivate compassionate and clinically outstanding geriatricians who deeply understand geriatric principles.
• To produce innovative leaders in geriatrics who excel in the domains of clinical care, systems design, and quality improvement.
• To ensure that fellows achieve satisfaction in their professional and personal lives through holistic support and mentorship.
• To foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment within all aspects of the clinical and educational landscape of geriatrics.

Application Process and Eligibility

The program welcomes candidates who have completed a residency in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine in ACGME-accredited programs in the United States or Canada. Candidates must be board certified or eligible and hold a California medical license prior to the fellowship start date. The fellowship can sponsor J-1 visas for foreign nationals seeking to participate.

Application components include:

• Personal statement
• Medical school transcript
• USMLE/COMLEX transcript
• Medical school Dean's Letter (MSPE)
• Two letters of recommendation from supervising physicians
• One letter from a residency program director or division head

All applications must be submitted through ERAS, with critical deadlines established for full consideration within the National Resident Matching Program.

Salary and Benefits

The program provides fellows with competitive salaries along with a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, and professional liability coverage. Additionally, fellows enjoy 20 vacation days per year, supporting a well-balanced work-life dynamic.