Geriatric Medicine Fellowship
About Us
The Fellowship Experience
The University of Iowa Geriatric Medicine Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program that focuses on the care of older adults in the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Geriatrics Health Assessment Clinic, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics inpatient units, Iowa City VA Medical Center, area long-term care facilities, and the homes of patients.
Fellows are an integral part of the clinical-based multidisciplinary geriatrics team, and they will develop a large patient panel in the Geriatrics Assessment Clinic. Our fellows will gain experience diagnosing and managing common geriatric problems including dementia, gait and balance disorders, Parkinsonism, frailty, incontinence, polypharmacy, end-of-life care planning, and chronic wound care.
Fellows attend and participate in departmental conferences, as well as nursing home rounds and staffing. Our fellows also present articles at the monthly Geriatrics Journal Club, which is attended by geriatricians, research faculty, residents, medical students, social workers, and other members of the health care team. Fellows work with local hospice agencies, home care organizations, adult day programs and other community and state agencies. In addition to a wide range of elective options and research opportunities there are required rotations in geriatric psychiatry, physical medicine & rehabilitation, urology, and neurology.
Each fellow also follows his or her primary care clinic patients two half days a week and cares for inpatients on the Family Medicine inpatient service for four weeks over the course of the fellowship year.
Fellows engage in a teaching and leadership role with primary care residents and other learners in geriatrics. With faculty guidance fellows provide expert consultative services addressing the unique care needs of older adults.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Geriatric Medicine Certification Examination to earn their Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Geriatric Medicine.
Our Facilities
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
We are an 860-bed hospital, which includes 190 beds at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. In fiscal year 2022, we recorded more than 32,600 inpatient admissions and over 50,000 emergency department visits. On any given day at UI Hospitals & Clinics more than 16,500 employees, students, and volunteers collaborate to provide safe, high-quality health care and outstanding service to patients and their families.
UI Health Care – Iowa River Landing-East
UI Health Care–Iowa River Landing-East is located in Coralville, and offers families comprehensive care, including newborn and well-child checks, well-woman checks, and care for adults with medical conditions. Iowa River Landing-East is the location of our Geriatric Health Assessment Clinic, where nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and social workers who specialize in geriatric care offers a team approach to the comprehensive evaluation and management of older adults.
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City has been caring for United States veterans since 1952. Services are available to more than 184,000 veterans living in 56 counties in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. The system consists of a main hospital in Iowa City, seven outpatient clinics in Eastern Iowa, and three outpatient clinics in Western Illinois. Veterans Affairs Medical Center also provides care to outlying clinics via telehealth technology.
Our People
Our faculty are experienced geriatricians. We train physicians for Iowa and beyond to be leaders in patient-centered, team-based care delivery, and to meet the unique health care needs of older adults.
Our fellows are driven to rewarding and meaningful careers in the practice of geriatric medicine.
Our patients are the most important part of our fellowship training! They come to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics to receive the very best care from experts who are passionate and personable. As Iowa’s only academic medical center, we see a comprehensive mix of cases in our Geriatric Health Assessment Clinic, particularly patients with significant medical and psychosocial complexity.
Geriatrics Fellowship Faculty
Nicholas R. Butler, MD, MBA
Assistant Professor
Family Medicine
Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship
Rick Dobyns, MD, MPH, MSc
Professor
Family Medicine
Michael E. Ernst, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS
Professor
College of Pharmacy
Heather Groene
Medical Assistant
Korey Kennelty, PharmD
Assistant Professor
College of Pharmacy
Scott T. Larson, MD
Assistant Professor
Family Medicine
Jeffrey Reist, PharmD, BCPS
Associate Professor
College of Pharmacy
Margo Schilling, MD
Professor
Internal Medicine
Kevin Schleich, PharmD, BCACP
Pharmacy Specialist
College of Pharmacy
Gretchen Schmuch, MSW, LISW
Social Work Specialist
Fellowship Coordinator
Chad Triplett, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
College of Pharmacy
Jason Wilbur, MD
Professor
Family Medicine
Geriatric Fellowship Leadership
For questions about the Geriatrics Fellowship please contact:
Nicholas R. Butler, MD, MBA
Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Department of Family Medicine
01292-A Pomerantz Family Pavilion (PFP)
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 384-7000
nicholas-r-butler@uiowa.edu
Phone: 1-1-319-467-2000
Lisa Baggerly
Coordinator, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship
Academic Program Management & Services Associate
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Department of Family Medicine
01110-F Pomerantz Family Pavilion (PFP)
Iowa City Iowa 52242
lisa-baggerly@uiowa.edu
Phone: 1-319-384-5078
Fax: 1-319-384-7822
Current Fellows
Ellie Fishbein, MD
Rush Medical College
University of Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program
Samuel Orvis, MD
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
University of Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program
Alumni
Ceren Durer, MD (2023)
Akdeniz University School of Medicine
SUNY Upstate Medical University, Internal Medicine Residency Program
Atabak (Atty) Kermani, MD (2021)
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Cedar Rapids Medical Education Foundation, Family Medicine Residency Program
Bora You, MD (2020)
Saba University School of Medicine
Cedar Rapids Medical Education Foundation - Family Medicine Residency Program
Current practice: Sheboygan, Wisc.
Victoria Linares, MD (2018)
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
University of Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program
Current practice: Hickory Hills, Ill.
Scott T. Larson, MD (2017)
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
University of Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program
Current practice: Iowa City, Iowa
Benjamin Perry, II, MD, MBA (2015)
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
University of Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program
Current practice: Waco, Texas
Juana Nicoll Capizzano, MD (2014)
Ricardo Palma University-School of Human Medicine
University of Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program
Current practice: Ann Arbor, Mich.