FAQs

How long is the MDFMR Geriatric Medicine Fellowship?

Our fellowship is a one year, full-time program.

Do you accept graduates from international medical schools?

Yes, as long as they have completed a residency in family medicine or internal medicine accredited by the ACGME, ACGME-I, RCPSC, CFPC, or AOA.

Do you participate in ERAS and the NRMP match?

Yes. We enter all of our available spots in the match.

Is it possible to apply to your program without going through ERAS?

We only accept applications outside of ERAS between match cycles if there are any unfilled spots in the program. Please contact our fellowship coordinator for details if you are interested in applying outside the match cycle.

Is your program open to part-time or nontraditional fellowship tracks?

Yes. Please contact us directly if you are a nontraditional applicant considering our program.

How is your curriculum structured?

Our curriculum is structured as a combination of block rotations and longitudinal experiences.  Key specialty areas such as hospice and palliative care, geriatric psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, and inpatient geriatric consults are offered as 4 week block rotations.  We also offer a 2-4 week multispecialty block that allows the fellow to spend a few days each with other key specialties.  Longitudinal experiences include geriatric continuity clinic, nursing home continuity care (combination of long term care and skilled nursing patients), dementia care at a local assisted living facility, and weekly outpatient geriatric consultations.

Is maintenance of a continuity clinic in my primary specialty optional during fellowship training?

Absolutely. We are flexible and allow fellows to choose whether to maintain a full spectrum continuity outpatient panel in addition to a geriatric continuity panel or to focus solely on geriatric medicine during the year-long program.

Do you offer elective experiences to residents interested in learning more about your program?

Absolutely. Contact the fellowship coordinator for specific details.

What primary specialties do you accept?

We accept applicants who are trained in family medicine or internal medicine.

Are there opportunities for scholarly activity?

Most definitely. Every fellow is expected to engage in scholarly work during fellowship. This may include presentation of a clinical case or QI project at a conference, presenting at Grand Rounds, or publishing scholarly work. We encourage you to discuss your interests with us.

Are there opportunities to work with other learners?

Yes, fellows have opportunities to teach as well as work with other learners. Our core family medicine program supports pre-doctoral education, so we routinely have medical students training with us. Most months a family medicine resident is rotating with our program. We also routinely have pharmacy students training with us.

Are there opportunities to do an away elective?

Yes, an away elective that does not interfere with the required program elements is possible. Please let us know in advance of your interest so we can address the administrative details.

Is it possible to start the academic year off cycle?

Yes, with some planning it is possible to start the program off cycle. Please let us know if you anticipate a delay in your start date.

Do you offer combined fellowship programs such as geriatric nephrology, geriatric oncology, or geriatric palliative care?

At this time, we are not offering combined training fellowship programs to choose from.

What does your compensation package look like?

For the 2024-25 academic year, the salary is $74,616. Fellows are given five conference days for continuing medical education and provided with an educational conference stipend of $850; reimbursement up to $1000.00 is available for relocation/moving expenses when relocating for the fellowship. Travel costs are reimbursed at the rate of 0.625/mile. Expenses to present scholarly work at a national geriatric medicine conference will also be reimbursed.

The fellowship provides payment in full for:

  • Medical education license
  • Membership to AGS (fellow status)
  • Medical malpractice insurance

Fellows have the ability to participate in health insurance (there are 2 plans to choose from), dental insurance, and medical / daycare reimbursement accounts.

What is winter in Maine really like?

The winter experience can differ substantially between coastal, interior, and northern regions of the state and vary widely from year to year. Each winter guarantees occasional Nor’easters resulting in large snowfall totals and a string of sub-zero-temperature days, but snowfalls of less than 8 inches and temperatures in the single digits and teens are more common. Plows are abundant so roads are kept reasonably well-cleared but good snow tires make travel safer. Our longer winter season leads to an abundance of outdoor winter activities and sporting opportunities. Many faculty participate in outdoor winter experiences and can share tips.