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.