University of California (San Francisco) Program

The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship through the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a prestigious one-year program dedicated to training physicians in the specialized field of geriatrics. The primary mission of the program is to foster fellows who can deliver innovative, person-centered medical care for older adults, addressing their unique health care challenges to enhance their quality of life 1.

Curriculum and Training Structure

The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship comprises a meticulously designed curriculum that balances clinical training, educational experiences, and research opportunities. The fellowship features both longitudinal experiences and block rotations, allowing fellows to engage deeply with various aspects of geriatric care.

Longitudinal Experiences

Fellows participate in year-long experiences within:

• Geriatric Outpatient Clinics: Two half-days per week at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the UCSF Center for Geriatric Care.
• Nursing Home Experience: Direct care for long-term care patients in a skilled nursing facility for veterans, enabling fellows to work closely with an interprofessional team 1.

Block Rotations

In addition to longitudinal experiences, fellows also undertake several four-week block rotations that encompass diverse clinical settings:

• Inpatient Palliative Care: Gain expertise in managing symptoms and complex family dynamics in hospitalized patients.
• Housecalls: Learn to provide effective care in patients' homes through the UCSF Care at Home program.
• Neurology: Interface with specialists to learn about common cognitive and movement disorders.
• Others include rotations in geriatrics consult, geropsych, acute care for elders (ACE), and rehabilitation, among others 1.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes the importance of research training by encouraging fellows to develop skills across various domains and to produce a scholarly project in conjunction with faculty members. Opportunities for further research training through additional years of mentorship and funding are also available. Scholars can choose from existing research projects or collaborate on new studies within ongoing areas of interest 1.

Diversity Commitment

UCSF's Geriatric Medicine Fellowship is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within its trainee population and the care it provides. The fellowship seeks to attract physicians from varied backgrounds, particularly those dedicated to serving culturally diverse and underserved populations 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The fellowship program supports visa sponsorship for international medical graduates (IMGs) and D.O.s who meet specific eligibility criteria, including success in passing the USMLE Steps 1 and 2, or COMLEX levels 1 and 2. The program recognizes the complexities involved in the application process; therefore, maintaining a holistic review of each candidate's qualifications is essential 1.

As a highly competitive fellowship, applicants are generally required to exemplify exceptional talent, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to advancing clinical practices in geriatrics. Previous GME experiences will be evaluated during the application process, with an emphasis on candidates who successfully completed an ACGME-accredited residency in either internal medicine or family medicine 2.

Application Requirements

To apply for the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, candidates must submit an ERAS application that includes:

• A completed application with a current CV
• A one-page personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from a program director
• Mandatory medical school and USMLE transcripts

It is vital that these application materials demonstrate a candidate's dedication to geriatrics, and applicants are encouraged to discuss available training opportunities during the interview process.

Why Choose UCSF?

Training at UCSF provides fellows with the unique opportunity to engage in an environment enriched by a culturally diverse patient population. The fellows benefit from the expertise of prominent faculty, hands-on clinical training across various facilities, innovative aging programs, and access to extensive resources. The program's broad array of clinical and didactic experiences enables fellows to cultivate essential skills for future leadership roles in geriatric medicine 1.