Geriatric medicine fellowship

Welcome to the Corewell Health-Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Geriatric Medicine Fellowship! The geriatric medicine fellowship aims to produce physicians who are immersed in the core principles of geriatric medicine, including geriatric syndromes, and will provide compassionate and comprehensive care that is relevant to an aging population, some who may be living with serious illness. This program will focus on community care, serving those living in the thirteen-county footprint of West Michigan currently being served by Corewell Health in West Michigan. The geriatric medicine fellowship will capitalize on the fully integrated system that makes up Corewell Health and the evolving value-based programs integral to care delivery systems. This mission will be accomplished by active engagement of the fellows in the wide range of clinical environments available to them from home based primary care, long term care settings and acute care experiences. Our faculty members are committed to fostering the growth and development of future colleagues. We recognize and respond to the needs of our patients, communities and organization and are ready to serve as role models for future generations of physicians through compassion, commitment to excellence in teaching and patient care, professionalism, innovation, and a dedication to lifelong learning. The program’s mission aligns well with the Corewell Health mission of improving health, instilling humanity, and inspiring hope.

Welcome!

We are thrilled with your curiosity and interest in our newly approved geriatric medicine fellowship, which is within our Division of Geriatric Medicine, Home Based Primary Care, Home and Community Services of Corewell Health in West Michigan (formerly known as Spectrum Health). Our fellowship is in partnership with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Corewell Health in West Michigan, a not-for-profit, integrated health system, is committed to improving the health and wellness of our communities. Our division is based on the interdisciplinary team approach to providing comprehensive, integrated care to our patients, their caregivers, and families. We provide a continuum of geriatric services across West Michigan. We are also deeply steeped in value-based versus volume-based care.

The fellowship program is an ACGME-accredited, one-year program. Our “home base” is in Byron Center, Michigan; however, we have providers and sites throughout West Michigan. The division has nine physicians and 25 APPs, along with 50 other staff making up our interdisciplinary team.

The mission of the fellowship is to improve the health of the communities we serve by training future medical leaders in our specialty of geriatric medicine. Our core values reflect those of Corewell Health in that we meet our patients where they are and focus on what matters most to those living with serious illness in the context of their multiple co-morbidities, IDT teamwork, and every team member working at the top of their license. These are key to providing the most appropriate care to our patients and families. Abiding by these pillars, we foster an environment of learning, collaboration and creative problem-solving with the patient and their goals at the center.

Our division service lines are tailored to the needs of our patients. We focus primarily on those living with multiple serious illnesses, the frail elderly and those who cannot come to us. Collaboration is part of our culture and essential in the decision-making processes during IDT meetings/huddles.

Our fellows learn to evaluate patients with complex issues in a variety of settings from acute care consultations/assessments to home. Fellows have the important role of teaching residents and medical students. They participate in didactic activities giving lectures, presenting, and participating in a variety of experiences. In collaboration with the Office of Research and Education at Corewell Health in West Michigan, fellows receive guidance and core lectures to develop their research projects. Some of our faculty are involved in clinical research, allowing fellows to have a mentor. As a fellow, you will learn the fundamentals of quality improvement and its applications in the geriatric environment. All fellows are encouraged to take on a QI project during their fellowship training, as well.

We are committed to developing leadership and expertise to advance patient care and expand the knowledge base of geriatric medicine. Our high-volume and clinically diverse program offers a unique experience to shape future geriatricians. If you desire to enter your career as a well prepared geriatrician this program is for you! We invite you to explore our program and consider joining us.

Sincerely,

Iris F. Boettcher MD, CMD

Program Director, Corewell Health-Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Geriatric Medicine Fellowship

Division Chief, Geriatrics, Home Based Primary Care, Home and Community Services

Medical Director, Aligning Care with Patient Priorities

Respecting Choices First Steps Organization Faculty

The aim of the geriatric medicine fellowship is to equip physicians with the knowledge, skills and attitudes centering on the core principles of geriatric medicine, focusing on interdisciplinary, team-based care with an emphasis on understanding what matters most to older adults living with serious illness and helping craft a plan of care that is consistent with their goals in the context of their health condition and prognosis.

• Develop physicians as skilled facilitators of interdisciplinary teams giving them progressive responsibility throughout their year long experience.
• Develop physicians as skilled prognosticators armed with the communication skills necessary to assist older adults and their care partners in current and future care planning.
• Develop physicians who understand quality improvement processes and the rigor of putting together plans that address specific issues and needs in a variety of long term care settings.
• Develop physicians who function in a fully integrated health system and manage an aging, frail population across the continuum of care, minimizing transitions, yet understanding how to manage those transitions with grace.

Curriculum/Clinical Rotations

• Home Based Primary Care
• Hospice
• Inpatient Palliative Care
• Cognition Clinic
• Sub-Acute Rehab
• Assisted Living Immersion
• Research
• Inpatient Geriatric Consultation
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Geriatric Psychiatry (Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services)
• PACE (Life Circles)

Research Opportunities

• QI projects within skilled nursing team

We participate in the Electronic Residency Application Service application process. We require the following information:

• All applicants must possess U.S. work authorization or be eligible for J-1 status
• Applicants must have completed three years of United States postgraduate residency training in an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited program before entry into the fellowship program

For more information on our program, contact Tarra Geertman, program coordinator.

Spectrum Health provides a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package for our residents, staff and their families. In addition, our program provides educational monies to support your ongoing education. Download our salary and benefits document to learn more.