Interdisciplinary

Fortifying Geriatric Care and Research: The VHA Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics

Chair(s)

• 

  Katherine Hall, PhD, MS, FGSA (she/her/hers)

  Associate Director of Research
  Medicine-Geriatrics
  Veterans Health Administration/Duke University
  Durham, North Carolina, United States

  Handouts

Co-Chair(s)

• 

  Odessa Addison, DPT, PhD (she/her/hers)

  Associate Professor
  Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
  University of Maryland School of Medicine
  Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Discussant(s)

• 

  Judith Howe, PhD (she/her/hers)

  Professor
  Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
  Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  Yonkers, New York, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• 

  Marianne Shaughnessy, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, GS-C, FAAN (she/her/hers)

  Director, GRECC Programs
  Veterans Health Administration
  Department of Veterans Affairs
  Middle River, Maryland, United States
• MS

  Monica Serra, PhD

  Assistant Professor
  Medicine
  The University of Texas Health San Antonio
  San Antonio, Texas, United States
• 

  Chelsea Hawley, PharmD, MPH (she/her/hers)

  Geriatrics Research Pharmacist
  GRECC
  National Coordinating Center for the Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics
  Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

  Slides Handouts

Geriatric care often involves addressing complex medical, social, and behavioral needs that require input from multiple disciplines. A robust workforce with geriatric specialties is essential to ensure that older adults receive the comprehensive care and support necessary for optimal aging. Despite the growing demand, there is a significant shortage of providers working in geriatric care, exacerbating the strain on existing resources. One way to address this shortage may be through the Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics (AFiG), a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program overseen by the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA). The AFiG is a 2-year, postgraduate (post-residency, post-doctoral, post-masters) training program, offered to clinicians and non-clinician scientists, that prepares leaders in geriatric research, education, and clinical innovation. Fellows are hosted in Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (GRECC) in 20 VA medical centers across the country, providing a rich combination of clinical rotations, didactic education, and research opportunities. Fellows gain expertise in identifying and addressing the unique healthcare needs of older adults, particularly within the veteran population. This fellowship provides participants with a wealth of advanced training topics including management of multiple chronic conditions, population health and health promotion, models of care, policy initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This symposium features presentations from 1) AFiG leadership, 2) GRECC leadership, and 3) facilitated discussion with an interprofessional cohort of current/former Fellows to share the breadth of clinical and research experiences in the AFiG.

Presentations:

• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PST

  Building Capacity: GRECCs' Contribution to Specialized Geriatric Workforce Training
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Marianne Shaughnessy, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, GS-C, FAAN (she/her/hers) – Department of Veterans Affairs
• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PST

  Nurturing Interdisciplinary Excellence: Insights From Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics Fellows
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Monica C. Serra, PhD – The University of Texas Health San Antonio
• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PST

  Preparing Leaders in Geriatrics Health Care Through the VA's Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Chelsea Hawley, PharmD, MPH (she/her/hers) – National Coordinating Center for the Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics