Medical College of Wisconsin Medicine-Geriatrics Combined Residency and Fellowship Program

It is an exciting time to pursue a career in geriatric medicine:

• Baby boomers are here!
• Explosion of research in all subspecialties with respect to the geriatrics population
• Anticipate public policy changes and growing public emphasis on geriatrics education
• New government sponsored loan repayment grants/scholarships for geriatrics practice in some areas
• Geriatrics provides a unique niche for opportunities in medical education, research and leadership at medical student, resident, and faculty levels.

The Med-Ger Combined Residency Program has, at the foundation, strong Internal Medicine training. Our combined residents are part of the Internal Medicine residency program and are integrated fully with their other categorical residents. The Med-Ger training is unique, in that it builds on that training and weaves geriatrics training throughout the four year residency program. At the end of the third year of training, residents are eligible to become board certified in Internal Medicine. At the completion of the fourth year of training, residents are eligible to become board certified in Geriatric Medicine. Our program has two Med-Ger residency slots available per year of training (total of eight Med-Ger residents at a given time).

In year one, primary emphasis is on Internal Medicine training, with the beginnings of geriatrics (clinic, nursing home panel). The amount of geriatrics increases through the training, so that by year four, all activities are in geriatrics (with one month of Internal Medicine). This allows the intern to become very comfortable and strong in their foundation in Internal Medicine, while developing their expertise in the area of Geriatrics (and without being overwhelmed!)

• 1st through 3rd years of training include geriatrics-focused inpatient and consult rotations each year
• Longitudinal geriatrics curriculum throughout all four years
• Nursing home panel is begun in year one and continues through all four years
• Geriatrics continuity clinic is begun in year one and continues through all four years

A sample of educational activities

• Weekly journal club and case conference sessions
• Wisconsin Board Review course in Geriatric Medicine (occurs every other year)
• Geriatric clinic conference series
• American Geriatrics Society Meetings
• Online learning and courses

Combined residency and fellowship training application

Four year program content meets training requirements for board certifications in both Internal Medicine and Geriatrics.

Flexibility

The Med-Ger residency is structured to build on the resident's strengths and interests. Core requirements for Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine are met during training and residents are encouraged to pursue electives that will meet their specific goals to pursue practice, teaching, or subspecialty careers.

Leadership in Geriatrics

A Med-Ger resident may wish to be an Internist who has excellent skills in caring for elderly patients. The resident may also develop a desire to focus exclusively on Geriatric practice. Med-Ger residency is also excellent preparation for further fellowship training.

Practice Opportunities

As certified Geriatricians, Med-Ger residents will quality for positions in geriatric assessment programs, geriatric consultation programs, specialty geriatric clinics (e.g., memory disorders, falls, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence), subacute programs, nursing homes, home care programs, retirement communities, primary care clinics, and palliative care/hospice programs.

Traditional Subspecialty Fellowships

Some Med-Ger residents have chosen to pursue internal medicine specialty fellowship training. Their prior geriatrics training has made them very attractive as fellowship candidates!

Ongoing Mentorship

Med-Ger residents are matched with a geriatrics faculty mentor in their intern year. They meet with their mentor quarterly for four years to help navigate career planning, research opportunities and wellness.

Our four year combined training program prepares Medicine/Geriatrics residents to be board certified in two board specialties:

• Internal Medicine
• Geriatrics

A sample curriculum structure is shown below. There is significant flexibility in the rotations and their organization, however. This allows us to adjust the curriculum to the needs of individual Med-Ger residents!

PGY 1

VA geriatrics consults*
Palliative Care
Emergency Medicine
Neurology Wards
Cardiology Wards
Medicine Consult
MICU
Medicine Wards

PGY 2

VA geriatrics consults
Rehab
MICU
Ambulatory Immersion
Admitting Center/Night Float
Medicine Wards
Medicine Elective/Consult

PGY 3

VA geriatrics consults
Froedtert Hospital geriatrics consults
Community Care for the Elderly
Rheumatology Consults
Admitting Center/Night Float
MICU
Medicine Wards
Medicine Elective/Consults

PGY 4

Research
Froedtert Hospital geriatrics consults
Outpatient Hospital
VA geriatrics consults
Gero-Psych
Home Care
Palliative Care
Rehab

Angela Beckert, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine; Program Director, Med-Ger Residency and Fellowship, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine

Cara C. O'Brien, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine; Associate Program Director, Med-Ger Residency and Fellowship, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine

Faculty

The faculty of the Med-Ger Residency and Fellowship Program is composed of experienced graduate educators and researchers in the field of Geriatric Medicine.

• Elizabeth Bukowy, DO, Associate Professor of Medicine; Medical Director, Lutheran Home and Horizon Home Hospice, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
• Kathryn Denson, MD, Professor of Medicine; Chief, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine; Medical Director, Home-Based Primary Care, VA
• Steven Denson, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine; Medical Director, Geriatrics Inpatient Consults, Froedtert Hospital; Medical Director, VA Geriatrics Consults
• Evan Henricks, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine; Medical Director, Geriatrics Clinic, Froedtert Hospital, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
• Will Lyon, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
• Rachel Saltness, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine; Medical Director, Saint Johns on the Lake, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
• Kathleen B. Sawasky, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine; Medical Director, Community Living Center (CLC) at the Milwaukee VA, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
• Ellen Schmitt, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine; Medical Director, Congregational Home, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine

Mission

The mission of this organization is to:

1. Promote medical student awareness of the growing field of geriatrics and career opportunities within this specialty;
2. Provide opportunities for medical students to interact with geriatric patients and physicians who specialize in the care of the elderly;
3. Provide forums for student discussions of issues pertaining to Geriatric Medicine with concerned physicians; and
4. Facilitate student involvement in public service projects within the local community.

Membership Information

Regular membership is open to any student from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Associate membership is open to any graduate student, faculty member, staff member, or administrator at MCW or any member of a MCW affiliated healthcare institution.

There are no dues for regular and associate membership.

Students are encouraged to join the American Geriatrics Society national organization at a student rate of $25.00/year, which entitles you to receive the Journal of American Geriatrics, discounted rates for AGS conferences, mentoring & other resources through AGS.