The Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine offers an integrated two-year Geriatric-Hospice and Palliative Medicine (Geri-HPM) Fellowship Track that is led by Co-Directors, Adam Marks, MD, MPH and Caroline Vitale, MD. The development of this track helps to address the growing need to develop a workforce prepared to expertly care for all older adults. Graduates from this fellowship program will be equipped to render individualized care to older adults with a focus on preserving function, assessing geriatric syndromes, enhancing quality of life, managing symptoms, and providing comfort-focused end-of-life care where appropriate.
This integrated Geri-HPM fellowship will meet core competency requirements in 16 months, while allowing for eight months of research and professional development. Since both specialties currently require one year of clinical training each, this integrated program is novel in that it completes both clinical program requirements within 16 months and offers time to prepare scholarly projects and develop skills needed to pursue leadership positions. Combined Geri-HPM fellows will meet quarterly with the co-directors their first year as they develop their scholarly work and identify mentors. Learn more about our scholarly activity.
Individuals successfully completing this two-year fellowship will be double board-eligible in both Geriatric Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Medicine.
Curriculum
Weekly classroom-based core curriculum includes sessions on clinical geriatrics and hospice and palliative medicine, critical review of the medical literature, and geriatric clinical conference. Fellows participate in M&M’s, journal clubs, case discussion, and the Palliative and End of Life Care course (a national program). Geriatric based didactic content will be emphasized in year one and alternatively HPM didactic content will be emphasized in year two of fellowship.
Rotation Schedule
- Click here to view a sample of the Geri-HPM fellowship rotation schedule.
Learn More
- Visit the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Website.
- Visit the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Website.
Our Fellows
1st-Year Fellow
Neil Nixdorff, MD, MPH
Dr. Nixdorff received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and completed his Family Medicine residency at University of Pennsylvania.
2nd-Year Fellow
Andrew “Andy” Russell, MD, MPH
Dr. Russell received his medical degree from University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Tulane University.
Past Fellows
2022 - Rachel Denny, DO
Clinical Instructor, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
Dr. Rachel Denny was born and raised in Southeast Michigan. Dr. Denny earned her medical degree from Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine and then completed her Family Medicine residency training at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan. In 2020, she began the integrated Geriatric/Palliative Medicine Fellowship, successfully completing the program in 2022. After completing the program, she was hired as faculty for the Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine.
2021 - Joseph Dixon, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
Dr. Joseph Dixon obtained his MA in history prior to pursuing medicine. Dr. Dixon then received his medical degree at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and completed his residency in Family Medicine at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills, California. In 2019, he began the Integrated Geriatric/Palliative Medicine Fellowship, successfully completing the program in 2021. After completing the program, he was hired as faculty for the Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, where he currently serves as the University Hospital Site Director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship.
How to Apply
Application process follows the same guidelines as regular Geriatric Medicine Fellowship. Please see our “How to Apply/FAQ” if you are interested in applying to this Geri - HPM leadership track fellowship position. Ensure you identify that you are applying to the integrated track in your personal statement. Qualified candidates may interview and rank both the traditional Geriatric Medicine and integrated Geri-HPM tracks should they be interested.
Contact Us
Richana Gaskin
Geriatric Medicine
Fellowship Program Administrator
[email protected]
Corey Adkins
Hospice & Palliative Medicine
Fellowship Program Administrator
[email protected]
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Well-Being
The Department of Internal Medicine (DOIM) Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine is committed to creating and cultivating a diverse and inclusive community that provides our faculty, learners, and staff with the opportunities and support they need to thrive. Visit the DOIM Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Well-Being to learn more.
Salary and Benefits
Learn about salary, benefits, and employment eligibility.
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