Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program - Program Overview
Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program
Program Overview
Mission Statement
The mission of the Rutgers Health/New Jersey Medical School Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program is to prepare physicians to meet the needs of an aging society by delivering patient-centered care, addressing social determinants of health, engaging with the community, building a strong geriatric workforce, and advancing innovative research.
Aligned with this mission, the program is deeply committed to serving medically underserved inner-city communities in Newark, NJ, which are disproportionately affected by the national shortage of geriatricians. Our primary goal is to train and retain geriatric physicians dedicated to these populations while improving access to comprehensive, high-quality care.
Fellows are trained according to the “5Ms” of geriatrics—Mind, Mobility, Medications, Multi-complexity, and What Matters Most—ensuring a holistic approach to patient care. They actively participate in quality improvement initiatives, including the development of Age-Friendly Health Systems, and learn to leverage community resources to address social determinants of health.
Program Goals and Educational Approach
Our Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program provides an immersive, hands-on training experience designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in geriatric care. Fellows gain the skills to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care, mentor residents and students, and advance innovation in the care of older adults. Through a combination of clinical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and quality improvement initiatives, the program equips fellows to make a meaningful impact in both academic and community-based settings. Key components of our program include:
- Case-based learning: Fellows participate in in-depth discussions of core geriatric medicine topics, with an emphasis on practical application and evidence-based clinical decision-making.
- Interdisciplinary exposure: Training includes close interaction with specialists in neurology, psychiatry, palliative and hospice medicine, and surgical disciplines to promote comprehensive, patient-centered care.
- Progressive clinical responsibility: Fellows provide care across ambulatory, inpatient, rehabilitation and long-term care settings, beginning with a manageable patient load under supervision and progressively advancing toward independent clinical decision-making.
- Teaching and mentorship: Fellows contribute to medical education by teaching and mentoring residents and medical students, thereby supporting the professional development of future clinicians.
- Quality improvement initiatives: Fellows lead initiatives aimed at advancing Age-Friendly Health Systems within University Hospital and improving models of care for older adults.
- Research training: Fellows receive structured guidance in clinical research, including study design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation, with a focus on integrating research findings into patient-centered clinical practice.
Future Goals
The fellowship is committed to expanding partnerships to strengthen training and care delivery. Our initial collaboration is with the Veterans Administration, with plans to incorporate additional educational and community partners as the program grows. This network aims to enhance access to geriatric care, integrate interdisciplinary resources, and create a model for sustainable, high-quality care in underserved communities.
