Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program

Customized Learning and Teaching 

After our fellows’ own well-being, education is our top priority. Because our clinical services do not rely on our fellows for coverage, learning is prioritized over clinical needs. 

Some unique aspects of our program are highlighted below: 

July Bootcamp 
July is dedicated to establishing a foundation in geriatric fundamentals through intensive didactics, hands-on learning, simulation, interdisciplinary teamwork training, career development, relationship building, and fun. July Bootcamp facilitates rapid growth in our fellows’ geriatric knowledge, skills, and competencies so that they can have a solid foundation on which to build for the rest of their training program. 

Teaching opportunities abound at VUMC, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and beyond. 

Medical School 

• Preceptor for first-year medical students during Physical Diagnosis standardized patient encounters 
• Clinical preceptor on the ACE Unit for second-year clerkship students 
• Small group teacher for senior medical students during Healthy Aging & Quality Dying Integrated Science Course 
• Clinical preceptor at various sites during Advanced Clinic Elective 
• Clinical preceptor on the ACE Unit for Acting Internship students 

Graduate Medical Education  

• Outpatient geriatrics didactics for Internal Medicine and PM&R residents 
• ACE Unit FACETS curriculum  
• Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program  
• Eleven sites with various educational ongoing projects 

Technology and Innovation 

Resources abound for educational innovation and the integration of innovative technology into learning at our fellowship program, including: 

Simulation 
Our fellows give top-notch feedback on training received annually at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Center for Experiential Learning and Assessment (CELA). Through encounters with standardized patients, our fellows also have the opportunity to serve as teachers for medical students who see standardized patients at CELA. 

FACETS 
The FACETS curriculum is a flipped-classroom curriculum that uses educational YouTube videos to engage learners on the ACE Unit in peer teaching. Our fellows teach these sessions with students and residents during the ACE Unit rotation:  

• FACETS Teaching Sessions  
• Flipping the Acute Care for Elders Teaching Sessions: A competency-based curriculum for internal medicine residents  

GERI-A-FLOAT 

Vanderbilt is a proud co-founder and participant of GERI-A-FLOAT (GERIAtric Fellows Learning Online And Together). Founded as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s challenges to fellows’ educational opportunities and well-being, we partnered with programs across the country to develop GERI-A-FLOAT, a series of weekly educational, online meetings that connect fellows across the country. GERI-A-FLOAT continues today.

Maria (Mariu) Carlo Duggan, MD, MPH, Director of the Vanderbilt Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program, continues to co-direct GERI-A-FLOAT, participating often on this national learning platform. 

The goals of GERI-A-FLOAT are twofold: 

• To deepen knowledge of topics related to geriatric medicine through shared online learning between fellowship programs 
• To combat the social isolation and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in fellows through networking and peer support 

 To access current, past, and future GERI-A-FLOAT sessions, please visit our website. 

For more information on GERI-A-FLOAT, see our recent publication in JAGS. 

A combination of longitudinal, block, and elective opportunities provides a broad educational perspective over 20 different sites of care: 

• Vanderbilt University Hospital’s Acute Care for Elderly (ACE) Unit  
• Inpatient geriatrics consult service 
• Vanderbilt-affiliated nursing homes 
• VA and Vanderbilt outpatient geriatric primary and consultative care 
• VA and Vanderbilt subspecialty opportunities in Wound Care, Geriatric Psychiatry, Neurology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Perioperative Medicine, Autonomics, Urology, and other elective specialties 
• Hospice and Palliative Medicine 
• Home care and community health 

Our fellows have on average one half-day per week throughout the year and additionally one month dedicated to pursuing a scholarly project.  

Fellows are mentored by the Center for Quality Aging faculty (geriatrics, gerontology, cardiology, pulmonary & critical care, general medicine & preventive health, emergency medicine, psychiatry, neurology, ID, pharmacy, nursing) and/or other Vanderbilt faculty of choice. 

Our fellows submit an abstract to a national meeting, typically AGS and/or AMDA. Preapproved expenses for one conference per year are covered.

Geriatric Medicine Division Fellowship Didactic Series

Starting in August, our fellows participate in Didactics three days per week. During this time, we use a variety of learning modalities—workshops, interactive lectures, flipped-classroom, peer teaching, games, and standardized patient encounters.  

We cover core geriatric principles and medical management, educator skills, leadership skills, and career development throughout the year. Our fellows also occasionally learn alongside the Hospice & Palliative Medicine fellows during these didactics. 

Other Conferences

Our fellows participate in various other conferences: 

• VUMC Geriatric Medicine Division Grand Rounds & MMI, twice monthly* 
• VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care regional conference, monthly* 
• Interdepartmental didactics with Geriatric Psychiatry and Cognitive Behavior Neurology fellows, monthly  
• National Meetings (AMDA and AGS) 

*Each fellow has an opportunity to present a topic of their interest during these conferences.

A message From the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity Affairs:

"We seek to bring the best residents, fellows and faculty from all ethnic, racial and gender groups into this great Medical Center. As we broaden our reach, it will enrich our environment and make Vanderbilt a leader in promoting people of diverse backgrounds.  
We look forward to talking to you about coming to visit us and also to assist you in your application process to our various house staff programs. I look forward to assisting you as you consider opportunities with Vanderbilt."

André L. Churchwell, MD
Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Chair
Chief Diversity Officer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Senior Associate Dean for Diversity Affairs,
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Learn more: 

• Office of Graduate Medical Education Diversity
• Division of Geriatric Medicine Diversity
• Department of Medicine Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). 

We participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) Medical Specialties Match. 

There are four (4) available positions annually for our Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) continuously accredited training program. 

Our program ACGME ID# is 1514721125. 

Requirements to apply: 

• Anticipated completion of an ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine or Family Medicine residency program 
• ACGME International (ACGME-I) applicants welcome 
• MD or DO degree 
• J-1 or H1B visa-eligible, if a non-U.S. citizen (institution will sponsor on a case-by-case basis) 

Required application materials include: 

• ERAS application 
• Personal statement 
• Medical school transcript / Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE) 
• USMLE / COMLEX scores 
• Three (3) letters of recommendation (at least one letter from a residency program director) 

Housestaff eligibility and selection policy pages 35-36 of the VUMC GME House Staff Manual  

For an applicant introduction, see Vanderbilt's GME Office 

Mariu Carlo Duggan, MD, MPH
Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program
Email: Mariu.Duggan@VUMC.org

Terri L. Ray
Program Coordinator, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program
Email: Terri.Ray@VUMC.org