The Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine is committed to interdisciplinary approaches in medical and postgraduate medical education. We encourage the exchange of scholarly and creative thought among faculty, students and health care professionals with the understanding that all adults deserve thoughtful, compassionate care suitable to their values and whatever stage in life they find themselves.
Medical Student Education
Medical students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson participate in a variety of clinical and educational experiences through our Division. Medical students also have access to elective courses relating to all of the subspecialties within the UArizona Department of Medicine as well as gain exposure to the following related issues:
- Adult medicine
- Adverse drug events reporting
- Antibiotic resistance
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Elder care
- End-of-life care
- Genomic medicine
- Geriatrics
- Hypertension
- Immunization
- Lipids and cardiovascular risk management
- Menopause
- Obesity and weight management
- Pain management
- Palliative care
- Precision medicine
- Rare diseases
- Substance abuse and addictions
See the College of Medicine – Tucson course catalog for specific courses and descriptions.
Current medical students interested in General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics or Palliative Medicine should also explore the opportunities offered by student clubs in these areas. See the MedCats website (NetID login required) for more information.
Regarding Clerkship, Sub-Internship (Sub-I or SI) and Medicine elective opportunities for third- and fourth-years, please contact: Office of Medical Student Education, Kristina Waters, MLS, (520) 626-1574 or kew3@arizona.edu
Residency Rotations
Residents on a Geriatric Medicine rotation will spend two to four weeks at both Banner University Medical Center Tucson on the Geriatrics-Orthopedic Inpatient Consult Service and, at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, with the Home Based Primary Care program. During this rotation, they also will have opportunities to work with physicians in Geriatric Rehabilitation, Neurogeriatrics, the Fragility Fracture Service Clinic, and ambulatory Geriatric Medicine Clinics.
On a Palliative Medicine rotation, residents will follow the Palliative Care team on the Inpatient Consult Service for two weeks. Along with other members of the interdisciplinary team, social workers, case managers and those in the chaplaincy, they will participate in helping patients and families navigate complex decision-making, determine goals of care and complex symptom management.
Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) Program
The Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) in the Care of Older Adults Program is funded by a grant to the UArizona Center on Aging, which is directly affiliated with the Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. The UArizona program, which began in 2009, is in cooperation with the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs. It focuses on providing chief residents — including those at our primary teaching hospitals, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South campus — with a combination of training focused on improving their understanding of geriatric principles, including teaching and leadership skills.
Fellowships
Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship
The Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship is a one-year ACGME-accredited program intended for physicians interested in providing compassionate, appropriate and effective care for patients facing debilitative or end-of-life health care conditions.
The one-year, ACGME-accredited Geriatric Medicine Fellowship offers outstanding clinical, research and learning experiences to physicians pursuing a career in geriatric medicine and related subfields. The small size of the fellowship program provides a unique learning environment, and promotes personalized, individual career development. Our nationally-recognized faculty includes recipients of the John A. Hartford Geriatric Leadership Scholar Award and the Geriatric Academic Career Award. Our graduates successfully enter career paths in academic medicine, clinical care and geriatric program development.