Mentoring

Fellows work closely with one or more mentors to develop career plans and then shape the fellowship program to achieve these goals.  Twenty-seven faculty geriatricians and gerontologists work at the UConn Center on Aging and fellows' clinical training sites; there are more than 40 additional clinical and research faculty available for mentoring.  Fellows also can work with faculty outside of geriatrics (e.g., endocrinology, cardiology, renal, hematology-oncology) or with faculty at other institutions (Medicare Qualidigm, Yale School of Medicine).

In addition, statisticians help fellows understand the medical literature and design their own research studies.  In clinic, hospital, and nursing home sites, geriatric pharmacologists work with the fellows to maximize patient outcomes.  Fellows also work closely with geriatric psychiatrists, neurologists, physiatrists, podiatrists, and other specialists at their clinical sites.

 

Leadership Skills Course

Fellows learn powerful skills in critical literature appraisal, teaching, geriatric assessments. time management, statistics, and presentations through the 100-hour Leadership Skills course in year 1. These small group, interactive sessions  use role-play and other experiential techniques to ensure the learning is both surprising and enjoyable.

 

Travel to Meetings

Fellows are provided travel stipends to attend national meetings such as the American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Directors, Gerontological Society of America, National Osteoporosis Foundation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, and other meetings relevant to their career goals.  Most fellows attend several national meetings during their fellowship.