Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program

Our mission is to train leaders in age-friendly healthcare

The purpose of the Vanderbilt Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program is to develop leaders who provide the best possible care to their patients and make important contributions to the field of geriatrics, to healthcare, and to the communities in which they work.  

Through prioritizing education and offering varied clinical experiences, our interdisciplinary, multi-campus program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System has trained 34 fellows since its inception in 2000.  

Our fellowship graduates hold successful careers in academic medicine, community leadership, private practice, and additional subspecialty areas including Hematology/Oncology, Cardiology, and Palliative Care.  

The Vanderbilt Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program trains up to four clinical fellows per year and is open to physicians who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency program in either Internal Medicine or Family Medicine.  

We are eager to personalize your learning for your unique career aspirations to further your growth as a leader in Geriatric Medicine.   

The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and School of Medicine is designed to enable fellows to: 

  • Provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health and the management of health problems related to aging
  • Apply established and evolving knowledge in the biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social-behavioral sciences to their care of patients  
  • Improve the patient care that they provide by continuously assessing their performance and pursuing learning opportunities related to quality improvement
  • Effectively care for patients by exchanging information and collaborating with patients, their families, and other health professionals
  • Conduct their professional life in accordance with the expectations of the profession of medicine and society
  • Enhance the system of healthcare to provide optimal and inclusive healthcare
  • Pursue a scholarly career as a practitioner or in academic medicine as an educator or researcher 

Fellowship Tracks 

 1. Clinical Geriatric Medicine 

  • One-year clinical fellowship that focuses on the evaluation and management of the unique healthcare needs and treatment preferences of older adults.  
  • Options are available to join the “Triple Threat Track,” which customizes the experience for those pursuing multiple sub-specialties (e.g., geriatric cardiology, geriatric rheumatology, geriatric oncology, geriatric hospitalist, geriatric infectious diseases, palliative medicine, etc.) 

 2. VA Special Fellowship in Advanced Geriatrics 

  • Two-year program that equips trainees to further clinical skills, contribute to the improvement of clinical practice, and advance scholarly pursuits that will benefit care for elderly veterans and all older Americans
  • Advanced degree (e.g., MPH, MSCI) is available pending funding
  • Completion of a ome-year Clinical Geriatric Medicine track is required 

 3. VA Quality Scholars Track 

  • Two-year program in which participants learn to develop and apply new knowledge for the ongoing improvement of healthcare services for VA and the nation  
  • Completion of a one-year Clinical Geriatric Medicine track is required 

 4. Aging Research Fellowship 

  • Mentored research training program that promotes the discovery and translation of new biomedical knowledge for the purpose of improving the lives of older adults
  • Two or more years in duration
  • Completion of a one-year Clinical Geriatric Medicine track is required

 

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 

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 

  • Teacher for outpatient geriatrics didactics for Internal Medicine and PM&R residents
  • Teacher for 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. 

Flipping the Acute Care for Elders Teaching Sessions (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 participate in a medical course on how to facilitate the curriculum during July. They teach these sessions with students and residents during the ACE Unit rotation:

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 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 and critical care, general medicine and 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.

Name Year Awarded Current Position

Olubukola Shakirat Elegbede, MB, ChB

2025

Geriatric Outpatient Clinic, VA TVHS

Agnes Diane León-Barriera, MD

2025

Senior Primary Care, Nashville

Stacy Denira Smith, MD

2025

Assistant Professor of Medicine, VUMC

Sengo Viswanathan, MBBS

2025

Geriatric Cardiology Fellow, Nebraska

Lauren Broussard, MD

2024

Assistant Professor, Tulane University and VA, New Orleans, LA

Ryan Ta, MD

2024

Assistant Professor of Geriatric Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY

Kimberli "Grace" Tipps, MD

2024

Instructor in Medicine, VUMC, (VA Quality Scholar)

Sam Sestito, MD

2023

Oncology/Hematology Fellow, University of Pittsburg Medical Center

Andrew Okpe, MBBS, MPH

2023

Assistant Professor, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO

Nerissa Licup, MD

2023

Private Practice, Johnson City, TN

Gabriel Areoye, MD, MSPH

2023

Cardiology Fellow, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical

Ganiat Adeogun, MBBS

2022

Assistant Professor, Morehouse School of Medicine

Rabah Alreshq, MB, BCh

2022

Cardiology Fellow, Boston Medical Center/Boston University

Michelle Barton, MD

2022

Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Spectrum Health/Michigan State University

Alexandra Petrakos, MD

2022

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University

Kristin Hines, MD

2021

Palliative Medicine and Home-Based Primary Care, VA TVHS

Willibroad Maimo, MD

2021

Geriatric Cardiology Fellow, GA

Chelsea Rick, DO

2021

Instructor in Medicine, VUMC, (VA Quality Scholar)

Hannah Stewart, DO

2021

Private Practice, Boone, NC

Temitope "Temi" Akinjogbin, MBBS, MSc 

2020

Assistant Professor of Medicine, VUMC

Jacob M. Parnell, MD

2020

Primary Care Practice, Nashville

Mosunmola Ademosu, MD

2018

Primary Care Practice, Nashville

Peter Niemann, MD

2017

Mayo Clinic

Jorge Rivera, MD

2017

Pittsburgh VA Hospital

Erin Leahy, MD

2015

Bay State Medical Center, Springfield, MA

Katie Hausmann, MD

2014

Aurora Health System, Milwaukee, WI

Maureen Seitz, MD

2013

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, VUMC

Lada W. Sloan, MD

2013

Ascension Medical Group, Nashville

Susan Bell, MD

2012

Cardiology/Geriatrics Practice, TN

Ryan A. Kalinski, MD

2012

Medical Oncology Specialist, Roper St. Francis

Kiffany Peggs, MD

2012

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, VUMC

Chitra Fernando, MD

2008

Geriatrics Practice, Seattle

Robert Lemons, MD

2007

Family Medicine Practice, FL

Helene Labonte, DO

2006

Director Geriatrics Training, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ

Melinda Henderson, MD

2005

Medical Director, Ameri-Choice, Nashville

Charles Bernstein, MD

2004

Hospice Director, Columbus, OH

Asma Khalid-Butler, MD

2004

Geriatrics Practice, Atlanta

Cesar Simbaqueba, MD

2004

Geriatrics Practice, Cleveland

Geetha Govindaswamy, MD

2003

Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, (VA), VUMC

Shazia Fazili, MD

2003

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Meharry Medical College

Jeannie Lessly, MD

2002

Medical Director, McKendree, Nashville

Tanyanika Reine, MD

2002

Assistant Professor of Medicine, (Oncology), CWRU

Ishrat Ansari, MD

2001

Assistant Professor of Medicine, (VA), Meharry Medical College

Ralf Habermann, MD

2000

Assistant Professor of Medicine, (VA), VUMC

Sumathi Misra, MD

2000

Assistant Professor of Medicine, (VA), VUMC Palliative Care Fellowship Director

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: 

Housestaff eligibility and selection policy: 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 Dr. Duggan 

Anne Gifford, MD, MPH
Associate Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program
Email Dr. Gifford 

Terri L. Ray, BA
Program Administrator, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program
Email Terri Ray 

Program Leadership

Mariu Carlo Duggan, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program

Anne Gifford, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Associate Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program

Terri L. Ray, BA

Associate Program Manager, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Program Administrator, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program