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History and Purpose

In 1991, the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) started VA's Advanced Fellowships Program in Geriatric Neurology. VA was a leader in geriatrics, and there was a heightened awareness of the increasing age of veterans and their special needs. Many veterans suffered from neurodegenerative changes such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body disease, Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, and other age related central nervous system changes. The implications for family caregivers and the healthcare system were enormous. To meet these challenges, OAA started the Geriatric Neurology Fellowship Program to develop a cadre of physicians for academic leadership in this complex, interdisciplinary field.

Program Overview

The Geriatric Neurology Fellowship Program provides two years of post-residency research, education, and clinical learning opportunities to eligible physician neurologists. Fellows spend approximately 75 percent of their time in research and education and 25 percent in clinical care at selected VA sites. Mentors of national stature provide guidance to fellows in rich learning environments. Graduates are expected to be role models in leading, developing, conducting, and evaluating innovative research, education, and clinical care in the field of geriatric neurology.

Fellowship Requirements

Eligible physicians must have graduated from an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residency; be board certified or board eligible in neurology; and have an active, unrestricted U.S. medical license. They must desire to lead healthcare in geriatrics and geriatric neurology in the 21st century. International medical graduates must also have a current visa to participate in the program and an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate that is valid indefinitely.

Application

To inquire about the application process and to learn more about the program, interested physicians should write to the site of their choice and send a cover letter and curriculum vitae to that site.

Geriatric Neurology Fellowship Address List

VISN 1 New England: Boston, MA
Director: Andrew Budson, M.D. Associate Chief of Staff for Education
VA Boston Healthcare System VAMC Boston, MA Division 150 South Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02130	Telephone 857 364-6184 Fax 857 364-6765

Research Focus: Please contact site for more details.

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VISN 20 Puget Sound, WA
Director: Alvin Matsumoto, MD Administrative Officer: Elizabeth Aigbe
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System  S-182 GRECC  1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, Washington 98338	Telephone 206-764-2308  Fax 206-764-2569

Research Focus: Blood-brain–barrier function, neuroendrocrinology, neurogenetics, health services research, molecular genetics, psychopharmacology, andrology, prostate cancer, medical ethics, end of life care, metabolic basis of Alzheimer’s disease.

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VISN 22 San Diego, CA
Director: Douglas R. Galasko, MD, Chief, Neurology Administrative Officer: Eva Lehmann
VA San Diego Healthcare System 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92161	Telephone 858-552-8585 Fax 858-552-7513

Research Focus: Alzheimer’s disease, other causes of dementia (including frontotemporal dementia and vascular Dementia), and Geriatric Neurology.

The Fellowship provides clinical training in diagnostic assessment of these disorders, including expertise in approaches such as neuropsychological evaluation, MRI and PET imaging, CSF and biomarker analysis, and multidisciplinary approaches to management of patients with these disorders. A wide range of research opportunities is available, depending on the interests of the Fellow. These include basic research, clinical research in imaging and biomarkers, and clinical trials. Clinical and research opportunities are diversified through availability of a large number of investigators at the VA and at the Affiliate (UCSD) and the NIA-funded Alzheimer ’s disease Research Center.

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We are listed in our affiliated websites of Neurology and Geriatric Medicine website Research Focus: Atypical dementia illnesses: front temporal dementia, posterior cortical atrophy.

Research Focus: Atypical dementia illnesses: front temporal dementia, posterior cortical atrophy.