The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship program focuses on developing the clinical and leadership skills necessary to thrive in the changing world of healthcare delivery. Our “Function First” approach applies the evidence base in geriatric medicine to optimize older adults’ physical and cognitive function, manage multiple chronic conditions and address functional decline and memory impairment.

Our fellows gain experience across a variety of care settings and models of care, leading interprofessional teams and preparing for the future of healthcare delivery. Training experiences may be individualized to the fellow’s career interests.

Program Goals

  • Produce graduates that become the next generation of academic and community leaders in geriatric medicine
  • Encourage self-reflective practice and continual improvement
  • Provide access to extensive research resources
  • Emphasize effective communication, team leadership skills and opportunities to develop as an educator
  • Create a climate of inclusion and embrace the diversity of our fellows, which are priorities for the program. We are committed to recruiting and training talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities

Why Train at Wake Forest?

Our program is focused on developing physicians as skilled and caring geriatricians in the core domains of competency as outlined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Graduates of our program are proficient in medical knowledge related to the nuances of disease processes, cognitive and functional assessment and evidence-based treatment of older adults.

We believe it is critically important for geriatricians to have an understanding of:

  • Current research in aging, including healthy aging
  • Interprofessional collaboration
  • Healthcare systems, policy, models of care, financing
  • Medical direction in clinical venues specializing in the care of older adults, including long term care and the home setting

Overview of Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine

Dr. Jeff Williamson, Chief of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, provides an overview of the Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. Topics include: structure of the section, culture, areas of expertise, importance of fellowship programs, diverse opportunities of the program, and our place in the Wake Forest system.