Geriatric Medicine Fellowship

Geriatric Medicine Fellowship

The one-year ACGME-accredited Geriatric Medicine Fellowship offers outstanding clinical, research and learning experiences to physicians pursuing a career in geriatric medicine and related subfields.

The small size of the fellowship program provides a unique learning environment and promotes personalized, individual career development. Our nationally recognized faculty includes recipients of the John A. Hartford Geriatric Leadership Scholar Award and the Geriatric Academic Career Award. Our graduates successfully enter career paths in academic medicine, clinical care and geriatric program development. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive team open to people from all backgrounds because we know diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation and solving complex problems.

Physicians who have completed training in an accredited program in anesthesiology, internal medicine or family medicine are eligible to apply. The fellowship is administered through the Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson in partnership with the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System.

Fellows also are encouraged to pursue a Master in Public Health at the University of Arizona Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. 

Curriculum

The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship includes both continuous clinical activity and block rotations. Our curriculum emphasizes comprehensive interprofessional team care and innovative high-value models of geriatric care across the continuum of care offered.

Clinical Sites

Fellows rotate at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South campuses, community nursing homes and several other affiliated community sites. At all sites, fellows are supervised and mentored by a committed group of geriatric attending physicians.

Clinical activities include a weekly outpatient clinic, community nursing home long-term care, home-based primary care visits, weekly case conferences, grand rounds and journal clubs.

Block Rotations

Topic-focused block rotations usually last four weeks each. Subjects include:

• Overview of comprehensive geriatric assessment and care
• Hospice and palliative care
• Home-based primary care
• Subacute care
• Community geriatric practice
• Rheumatology and dermatology
• Geropsychiatry
• Neurogeriatrics

Opportunities are also available in older women’s health, medical director administrative and finance training, geriatric orthopedics and pain management.

Research Opportunities

Fellows interested in research design and development may pursue research projects under the supervision of faculty mentors. 

Evaluation

The fellowship is evaluated regularly by fellows, faculty and others, and there is ongoing competency-based evaluation of both fellow and faculty performance in a supportive environment.

Training Sites

• Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, 1625 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719
• Banner – University Medical Center South, 2800 E. Ajo Way Tucson, AZ 85714
• Banner – University Medicine North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., Building 2, Tucson, AZ 85719
• Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, 3601 S. 6th Ave. Tucson, AZ 85723

Physicians interested in the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship may apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) or the NRMP Fellowship Match of the National Resident Matching Program — see NRMP’s Medical Specialties Matching Program to apply for the University of Arizona Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program. Qualifications for admission to the fellowship program include:

• The successful completion of a three-year residency in anesthesiology, family medicine or internal medicine
• U.S. citizenship, valid residency or J-1 visa
• Graduates of foreign medical schools must have a standard ECFMG Certificate
• All accepted candidate must obtain an Arizona postgraduate training permit (see Licensure)

You must apply through ERAS and register for participation in the match through the NRMP Fellowship Medical Specialties Matching Program.

Application Requirements

Your ERAS application will require the following documentation and should be uploaded here.

• CV
• Three letters of reference
• USMLE or COMLEX scores
• ECFMG certificate (see “International Medical Graduates,” below)
• Medical school transcript
• Certificate of completion (or good standing in) ACGME-accredited residency (can be in anesthesiology, family medicine or internal medicine).
• Personal statement

International Medical Graduates

Graduates of foreign medical schools are welcome to apply to the fellowship provided they have a standard ECFMG Certificate and an Arizona postgraduate training permit (see Licensure).

Fellows must either have U.S. citizenship, valid U.S. residency or a J-1 visa. H1-B visas are not supported by this fellowship.

Timeline and Deadlines

The program reviews all applications — from internal and external applicants alike — and selects the most qualified candidates for interviews. Interview season generally starts in mid-September and finishes in early November.

Important Timelines

ERAS

• June: Programs open for fellowship applicants (see the MyERAS® Fellowship User Guide)
• Mid-July: ERAS PostOffice opens to July cycle programs
• December: Match results available for July application cycle programs

NRMP

For key dates related to geriatric medicine programs in the NRMP Fellowship Match, see the NRMP Fellowship Medical Specialties Matching Program or click on its Fellowship Participants Match Calendar for match schedules.

A fellow accepts appointment as a clinical assistant in the program. It is understood that appointments at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson are year-to-year, and subject to annual renewal, pursuant to Chapter 4, University Handbook for Appointed Personnel and the Arizona Board of Regents Policy Manual, 6-301, et seq.