Virtua Program

The program offers a comprehensive training experience in Geriatric Medicine, located at the Stratford site affiliated with Virtua Medical Group. This fellowship aims to equip physicians with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality care to older adults, focusing on their unique health needs.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is designed to provide a blend of clinical practice, didactic learning, and research opportunities. Fellows engage in various rotations, allowing them to experience diverse aspects of geriatric care. Clinical rotations typically include inpatient geriatric services, outpatient geriatrics, palliative care, and interdisciplinary team experiences.

Rotations and Clinical Exposure

Fellows participate in rotations that emphasize both community and hospital settings. This includes working closely with interdisciplinary teams consisting of physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to manage complex cases effectively.

Additional opportunities for clinical exposure may include:

• Long-term care facilities
• Home health care services
• Geriatric consultation services within hospitals

Research Opportunities

The program encourages fellows to engage in research projects that focus on improving geriatric care. This may involve collaborating with faculty and other healthcare professionals to conduct studies, publish findings and present at conferences. Research topics often relate to the management of chronic diseases in older populations, quality of life improvements, and innovative care delivery models.

Unique Aspects of the Program

This Geriatric Medicine program at Stratford prides itself on its commitment to patient-centered care. The curriculum is tailored to enhance fellows’ understanding of the social determinants of health and their impact on outcomes for older adults. Emphasizing wellness and preventive care, fellows learn to not only address illness but also promote overall wellness in older patients.

Moreover, the program supports the development of leadership skills necessary for future roles in geriatrics, including advocating for policy changes that benefit elderly populations.

Training Sites

The primary training site is the Rowan – Virtua New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging – Stratford. This facility serves a diverse population and provides a range of services tailored for older adults, creating a rich environment for fellowship training.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program offers visa sponsorship options for international medical graduates seeking training in Geriatric Medicine. Common visa types sponsored may include J-1 and H-1B visas, facilitating the participation of qualified foreign graduates.

It is noteworthy that the program is competitive. It welcomes applications from both international medical graduates and osteopathic candidates, making it a DO/IMG-friendly environment.

Application Requirements

Applicants typically must fulfill specific requirements to be considered for the program. These may include:

• A valid medical degree, with a maximum limit on the years since graduation
• Documentation of USMLE or COMLEX scores, often with a limit on the number of failed attempts
• Strong letters of recommendation, particularly from geriatrics-focused caregivers