The Virginia Health Sciences Internal Medicine–Geriatrics Integrated Residency and Fellowship Program offers an innovative four-year training pathway designed to develop future physician leaders in Geriatric Medicine. This integrated program combines selected fellowship experiences throughout the Internal Medicine residency, allowing trainees to achieve core geriatric competencies within a streamlined four-year curriculum.
Enhanced geriatric training is incorporated during ambulatory care blocks throughout the PGY-1 to PGY-3 years, creating additional flexibility and dedicated time in the fourth year for advanced clinical experiences and professional development. Trainees benefit from ongoing mentorship and career guidance through the Glennan Center for Geriatrics & Gerontology at Old Dominion University, with numerous opportunities to engage in research, scholarship, and academic activities.
The Internal Medicine residency curriculum follows the standard program requirements of the Internal Medicine Residency at Old Dominion University. The PGY-4 year consists of 12 months of fellowship training, with rotation length and focus tailored to the trainee’s individualized learning plan. This plan is developed collaboratively with the Program Director and reflects the trainee’s career goals and competencies achieved. During the PGY-4 year, fellows continue their monthly clinical rotations while maintaining a weekly outpatient continuity clinic to ensure consistent patient care and ongoing development of clinical skills.
A detailed outline of the four-year training program is provided below. For additional information about this unique and exciting opportunity, please contact Dr. Bahar Niknejad (Program Director) at niknejb@odu.edu or Dr. Melody Johnson (Fellowship Specialist) at johnsomw@odu.edu.
Curriculum
| PGY 1 | PGY 2 | PGY 3 | PGY 4 |
|
Geriatric Experience 4-week Block |
Geriatric Experience 4-week Block |
Geriatric Experience 4-week Block |
Community Living Center Home-Based Primary Care at VAMC (5 months) |
|
Medicine Wards (22-23 weeks) |
Medicine Wards (15 weeks) |
Medicine Wards (15 weeks) |
Geriatric Psychiatry (1 month) |
|
ICU (4 weeks) |
ICU (4 weeks) |
ICU (4 weeks) |
Geriatrics Inpatient Consultation Service (3 months) |
|
Cardiology Wards (2 weeks) |
Medicine Ward Night Float (5-6 weeks) |
Medicine Admission (3 weeks) |
Palliative Care Medicine Consult Service (1 month) |
|
Emergency Medicine (2 weeks) |
Medicine Admission (3 weeks) |
Medicine Ward Night Float (5-6 weeks) |
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1 month) |
|
Core or General Elective (6 weeks) |
Core Elective or General Elective (6 weeks) |
Core Electives or General Electives (6 weeks) |
P.A.C.E – a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (1 month) |
|
Medicine Wards Night Float (2 weeks) |
Healthy Aging Geriatric Consultation Clinic-Ambulatory Continuity Clinic-1/2 day weekly | ||
| General Internal Medicine Continuity Clinic (One week every 5th week) | General Internal Medicine Continuity Clinic (One week every 5th week) | General Internal Medicine Continuity Clinic (One week every 5th week) |
Continuity Experience Long-Term Care Continuity Clinic at VAMC Two ½ days monthly |
|
Vacation Leave (3 weeks) Holiday Leave (2 weeks) |
Vacation Leave 3 weeks) Holiday Leave (2 weeks) |
Vacation Leave (3 weeks) Holiday Leave (2 weeks) |
Comprehensive Memory Center-Consultation-two ½ days monthly |
| Geriatric Continuity Clinic (One-half day every 5th week during General IM Continuity Clinic week | Geriatric Continuity Clinic (One-half day every 5th week during General IM Continuity Clinic week | Geriatric Continuity Clinic (One-half day every 5th week during General IM Continuity Clinic week |
Specialty clinics: Electives Neurology Sleep Comprehensive Memory Consultation Clinic |
