Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship

Overview of the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship

Thank you for your interest in our program! Loyola Medicine is now accepting applications for a one year ACGME-accredited fellowship in geriatric psychiatry with one position available for each academic year.

Our fellowship aims to train the next generation of clinicians, educators, experts and leaders in the field of geriatric psychiatry. Fellows learn to provide competent and compassionate care to a growing older adult population.

They become skilled in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of psychiatric disorders in this age group using multiple therapeutic modalities including pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psychosocial and community based interventions.

Fellows see patients from a broad spectrum of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and encounter patients in multiple treatment settings. In addition to comprehensive clinical training, fellows have the opportunity to teach medical students, residents and colleagues and to participate in a scholarly or research project.

Geriatric psychiatry fellows work closely with the geriatric medicine fellowship program as well as behavioral health trainees in psychology. Ample time is allotted for didactics and self-directed learning and fellows will be able to use elective time to tailor the program to their individual needs and interests.

A large and enthusiastic faculty provide guidance and mentorship throughout the fellowship year and beyond. Upon successful completion of the program, fellows are eligible for board certification.

Clinical Rotations

The Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital is the primary teaching site for the geriatric psychiatry fellowship, with Loyola University Medical Center serving as the secondary site.

Fellows have a four month half-time inpatient psychiatry experience focused on acute evaluation, stabilization and management of older adults. While on this rotation, fellows participate in ECT, beginning at the referral and assessment phase and continuing through treatment and follow-up.

Fellows also have a part-time rotation on the busy consultation-liaison team where they focus on seeing older patients with a complex array of medical, neurological and mental health concerns.

A rich clinical experience unique to the VA is home based primary care where fellows have the opportunity to see patients in their homes and to work with an interdisciplinary team of primary care physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians and kinesiotherapists to help patients remain functional and in their homes for as long as possible.

Longitudinal rotations include a geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic, group and individual psychotherapy experiences, the women’s health clinic and the Community Living Center which houses both short term rehabilitation and long term care units.

To round out their training in geriatric psychiatry, fellows rotate through clinics in physical medicine and rehabilitation and memory disorders and on the hospice and palliative care unit.

Program Didactics

Fellows have a number of didactic experiences in various formats throughout the year.

Geriatric Core Lecture Series

This seminar covers topics in geriatric psychiatry and geriatric medicine. It is conducted jointly with the geriatric medicine fellows when appropriate.

Topics covered include geriatric assessment, successful aging, delirium, cognitive impairment, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms in dementia, late life mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders, substance abuse, sleep, falls, common medical illnesses in later life and associated psychiatric symptoms, end of life care, and legal and ethical issues in geriatrics.

Geriatric Case Conference

Conducted jointly with geriatric medicine, this conference provides the opportunity for faculty and trainees to discuss complex and interesting cases.

Research Seminar

A monthly seminar in which fellows review current literature with an emphasis on design, methodology and critical appraisal of the evidence.

Neuropsychology Seminar

This weekly seminar conducted by the psychology department focuses on topics such as neuroanatomy, neurologic and neuropsychological conditions, and neuropsychological testing.

Psychiatry Grand Rounds

A weekly departmental conference including Hines and Loyola faculty in which local and national experts present in a variety of mental health topics.

Hines VA Journal Club

This is a monthly conference in which presenters review evidence based articles on clinically relevant topics and facilitate further discussion.

How to Apply & Application Process

Eligibility

Qualified applicants must have satisfactorily completed four years of an ACGME-accredited residency in general psychiatry prior to entering the program.

Applicants must have or be eligible to obtain an unrestricted permanent medical license in the State of Illinois by the April preceding a July 1st fellowship start-date each year.

For international medical graduates, a valid ECFMG certificate is required.

The anticipated start date is July 1st each year.

To learn more details about fellowship employment benefits in Loyola Medicine's Graduate Medical Education program, please contact our Graduate Medical Education office for information including salary and benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following information:

Loyola Medicine Application
Hines VA Application
Signed Loyola Medicine Consent and Release Form to our current Program Director
Current 2" x 3" Photograph
Curriculum vitae
Personal statement describing the development and current direction of your interest in geriatric psychiatry and your career goals
Training verification:
- If residency has been completed, a copy of the Final Note to File and a copy of the residency diploma
- If residency is ongoing, a letter from the current Program Director stating that applicant has completed (or will complete) all pre-requisites and rotation requirements to be able to sit in general psychiatry boards, including three clinical skills examinations. Letter should also summarize other competencies that applicant has successfully completed/remediated within his/her training program (information on preCert ABPN)
Three professional letters of recommendation, including one from current residency program director (if applicable)
USMLE Score Report (Step 1-3) and/or COMLEX Score Report (Levels 1-3)
Copy of medical school transcript
Copy of state medical license
Copy of ECFMG certificate (if applicable; include test scores, if applicable)
Copy of current work authorization if not a US citizen

Applications will be accepted beginning August 1 each year on and interviews will begin in early fall.