Our division marries the study and practice of medicine across a broad spectrum of care: General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. Really, though, it’s simply about care for adults. In the past, the division has consistently ranked among the top 50 programs in the nation for geriatric care by U.S. News & World Reports. We promote healthy and functional lives for all adults—whatever their stage in life—through comprehensive programs in research, education and training, and clinical care...

Mindy J. Fain, MD
Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

The Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine is an amalgam of three distinct areas of medical study and practice who coordinate as a team to work with adult patients with simple and complex conditions to help ensure they get the best care possible. Click on the photo at left below to see our team.

General Internal Medicine

[Composite photo of faculty physicians and practitioners in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson]For General Internal Medicine, we focus on general medical care provided to all adult patients of any age in a clinical or outpatient setting. In this case, our physicians are known as internists. Their internal medicine counterparts in inpatient care are known as hospitalists. For general internal medicine, our focus of care is always comprehensive, preventive and collaborative with the patient at the center of all we do. That includes the primary provider, our various specialists and other health-care professionals inside and outside of our department and across the community.

Geriatrics

For Geriatrics, we focus on the unique and ever-changing health-care and lifestyle interests of a group of aging individuals generally known as older adults, senior citizens and the elderly. Once, these folks may have been thought of as more sedate and in their declining years. Not anymore. Today, older adults are often healthier and live longer. Many Baby Boomers are at retirement age and Gen X-ers are rapidly approaching it. As a result, older adults remain active well into their golden years and represent a more vibrant group than ever before.

Still, living extended lifespans means addressing more health care issues that can arise. As we reach advanced ages, those issues can range from orthopedic to rheumatic to metabolic to cardiovascular and neurological — including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and general dementia. We strive to promote independence by moving discoveries and breakthroughs in our understanding of geriatric care from the lab to the community, integrating questions and observations of our patients into how we approach innovative solutions of the future.

Palliative Medicine

Palliative Medicine is a specialty focused on care for people with serious medical illnesses.  Palliative Care is for patients and their families and emphasizes the relief of suffering, treatment of symptoms, and whole-person support regardless of the age or stage of disease.  The overall goal of Palliative Medicine is to improve quality of life for people with serious illnesses such as cancer, end stage organ failure, degenerative neurocognitive disorders, severe trauma and critical illness.  Palliative care can help with serious illness by treating symptoms such as pain, nausea, or anxiety as patients undergo sometimes difficult medical treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. 

News

Translational Medicine Symposium refocuses research on practical remedies

Led by host Dr. Jennifer Carew, the inaugural conference, March 22 in the HSIB Forum, occurs at time of renewed interest in translating basic science from laboratory investigations to practical diagnostics, therapies, procedures and policies to improve health care in clinical settings for all. 


COM-T, Banner to celebrate National Doctors’ Day on March 28

As the annual observance falls on a Saturday in 2024, Banner – University Medicine Tucson and the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson will host a special luncheon at three locations here at 11:30 a.m., March 28.


Showers of joy for 2024 Match Day as future physicians learn where they’ll train

The Department found out who its 42 incoming interns for the Internal Medicine Residency Program will be and 108 College of Medicine – Tucson graduating medical students discovered where they’ll train as resident physicians, including Drs. Sai Parthasarathy and Indu Partha’s daughter. See the list and a mini-photo gallery.


Events