Geriatric Medicine Fellowship
Program Director: Thomas Caprio, M.D.
Program Description
Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Clinical Training Program
Thomas Caprio, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine,
Division of Geriatrics & Aging
Program Director,
Geriatric Medicine Fellowship
At the end of twelve months of sub-specialty training the geriatric medicine, fellows are eligible for subspecialty board certification in geriatric medicine. They are fully prepared to provide primary and consultative health care to geriatric patients in hospital, nursing home, and office settings. The fellows' training includes a multi-dimensional biopsychosocial view of assessment, treatment, and management of health problems in older adults. Fellows will gain skills through a combination of supervised clinical experiences and formal didactic conferences. In addition to the requisite body of knowledge, each fellow develops leadership and teaching skills, professional attitudes, and practical experiences required of a geriatrician. Additional years of research-based training are available to qualified fellows.
Training and Rotation Sites
Monroe Community Hospital
MCH is a 566-bed residential health care facility providing quality long-term care to individuals with complex or chronic health conditions.
- Geriatric Assessment Clinic - The program aims to maintain frail older adults in the community at the most independent level as possible through an interdisciplinary approach of comprehensive geriatric assessment. The clinic features a Geriatric Health Care Team that thoroughly evaluates the health and functional ability of older persons by examination, and interviewing both patient and family, in addition to gathering information from the primary care physician.
- Long-Term Care - Each fellow is assigned a panel of long-term care patients, at Monroe Community Hospital, which they will follow longitudinally with an attending physician during their tenure as a fellow. Other experiences include participation on a closed wandering/behavior unit at MCH and a respiratory unit for ventilator-dependent patients at an affiliated facility.
- Neurology - Fellows participate in inpatient neurologic consultation at Monroe Community Hospital and outpatient consultation and neurology clinic at Monroe Community Hospital. They are involved in didactic teaching rounds with an attending geriatric neurologist.
- Psychiatry - The Psychiatry Department at Monroe Community Hospital is world-renowned for its groundbreaking work in cognitive disorders and dementias and continues to actively participate in innovative clinical trials. Fellows participate in a two month rotation of inpatient psychiatric consultation on long-term care patients at Monroe Community Hospital as well as outpatient evaluation in the neurology and psychiatry clinic. (Their involvement is also encouraged in the ongoing research and clinical trials in Alzheimer's Disease and other dementing disorders and behavioral disturbances.)
- Rehabilitation - MCH is home to one of the most experienced short-term rehabilitation programs in the region providing individualized care to people with disabling conditions as result of an illness or injury. Geriatric Medicine fellows participate in a three month rotation on a comprehensive, interdisciplinary teaching service and are responsible as team members for the primary care of the patients. Fellows interact with specialists in medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, recreation therapy, social work, clergy, audiology, nursing, and nutrition. The treatment team is committed to restoring each patient's physical and cognitive skills, enabling him or her to be as self-reliant and independent as possible.
Highland Hospital
Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit. Highland Hospital is a community hospital that has a long tradition of outstanding care with research and education in the biopsychosocial model and physician-patient communication. It is quickly becoming the center for the care of the hospitalized elderly with its innovative ACE Unit. Fellows have an opportunity to both learn and teach during this required rotation. Fellows also participate in peri-operative geriatric consultation and comanagement on the Geriatric Fracture Center and Palliative Care Consultation.
Independent Living for Seniors (ILS)
A PACE (Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) replication site. A PACE site provides an interdisciplinary, adult daycare centered comprehensive plan of care to nursing home eligible individuals in their own home. Most disciplines including physicians, nurse practitioners, skilled nursing, rehabilitative services, social work, pastoral care, dental care, eye care, podiatry, dietary, and aide services are offered at the three day center locations.
Veterans Administration Medical Center Canandaigua, NY
The Department of Veterans Affairs has a long history of supporting geriatrics educational and research activities. The Canandaigua VA Medical Center is a 300-bed facility affiliated with the University of Rochester which provides extended care for veterans with physical and mental disabilities. The 150-bed nursing home program includes post-acute care, medical nursing home care and a 30-bed dementia unit. The Canandaigua facility and an affiliated Rochester Clinic located proximal to the University and Monroe Community Hospital, also offer a variety of outpatient services. Fellows rotating through the VA have opportunities for involvement in the outpatient clinic services, palliative care services and the Home Based Primary Care programs.
The fellowship also utilizes several other sites as part of the training including Visiting Nurse Services for the home care rotation and palliative care rotation; Lifetime Health and Unity Geriatrics Associates for primary care ambulatory clinic experiences and Strong Health Geriatrics Group, Highlands at Brighton and Highlands Living Center for additional long-term care and medical directorship exposure.
Current Fellows
Geriatric Medicine Fellows 2012 -2013
Chrystal Jenkins, MD
Dr. Jenkins will be completing her geriatric medicine fellowship training in September 2012. Dr. Jenkins completed her undergraduate training at Washington University in St. Louis and medical school at St. Louis University School of Medicine. She then joined the University of Rochester Family Medicine Residency program at Highland Hospital. Dr. Jenkins served on the board of directors of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP) and served as the President of the NYSAFP University of Rochester Chapter. In June 2010, she was recognized for her work by receiving the NYSAFP President’s Award for Political Advocacy and Leadership. She is committed to health advocacy and global health care reform. In 2009, she served as a research assistant to Netlife, a nongovernmental organization working in Senegal, West Africa. Chrystal will be starting employment as an attending physician this coming Fall with the Unity Health System’s Health Care for the Homeless Program.
Kenya McIntosh, MD
Dr. McIntosh will be continuing her training as a senior fellow in Geriatric Medicine this academic year as part of the interdisciplinary geriatric fellowship program. She received her undergraduate training at Clark Atlanta University, in Atlanta, Georgia and attended medical school at the University of Rochester. She then joined the Family Medicine residency program at the University of Rochester/Highland Hospital prior to joining the geriatrics program. Kenya has a strong interest in community health and has worked extensively on a successful patient program to support lifestyle changes for improved management of chronic health conditions through education, exercise, cooking demonstrations, and field trips to supermarkets. Dr. McIntosh is currently working on a post-doctoral research project focusing on long-term care decisions for elders in the African American Community which will also be included as part of her final thesis project for the Master of Public Health degree at the University of Rochester.
Ann Cornell, PsyD
Dr. Cornell will be will be entering her 2nd year of fellowship training this coming Fall in the field of Geriatric Psychology as part of the interdisciplinary geriatric fellowship program. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts in psychology at the University of Rochester and completed her doctoral training at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She is a NYS licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in memory disorders, neuropsychological testing, and community mental health. She returned to Rochester in 2009 to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in primary care psychology where she received a certificate in marriage and family therapy with a medical population. Dr. Cornell’s interests focus on helping older adults, caregivers, and families cope with a variety of issues including life and role transitions, illness, loss, dementia, and disruptive behaviors.
Elizabeth Cherella, MD
Dr. Cherella completed her undergraduate training at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. She attended medical school at the University of Massachusetts prior to joining the Residency Program in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Rochester. Dr. Cherella identifies her interest in geriatrics dating back to her time in high school when she worked in the activities department for a local nursing home and subsequently through her work as an Emergency Medical Technician during college. Beth was active in her medical school Geriatrics Interest Group and distinguished herself as a skilled clinician during her residency training. In 2008, she was the recipient of the Highland Hospital Shining Example Award in recognition of her teamwork and commitment to patient care.
Brian Day, DO
Dr. Brian Day attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania for his undergraduate training in chemistry, prior to his medical school training at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2009, he joined the residency program in Family Medicine at the UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, New York and served as Chief Resident for the program. He has an interest in complimentary and integrative medicine and pursued advanced training in medical acupuncture through the Helm’s Medical Institute. Dr. Day has a passion for global health and participated in two medical mission trips to Ecuador with his wife, Mary Rose, where they provided health care and medical equipment to the underserved indigenous population. Dr. Brian Day will be officially joining the geriatric medicine fellowship program in August 2012
Mary Rose Day, DO
Dr. Mary Rose Day completed her undergraduate education in chemical engineering at Villanova University. She then worked as a pharmaceutical manufacturing engineer at Merck Pharmaceuticals, prior to her decision to attend medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then joined the residency program in Family Medicine at the UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, New York. In 2010, she was recognized as the “Intern of the Year” in her residency program and was the recipient of the Arthur P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award. Mary Rose shares a passion for global health with her husband, Brian Day, and the two have participated in medical mission trips to Ecuador providing health care to the underserved indigenous population. Dr. Mary Rose Day will be officially joining the geriatric medicine fellowship program in October 2012.
Lisa Downing, MD, MPH
Dr. Downing attended Cornell University for her undergraduate education and then worked as a public school teacher and health counselor in California prior to attending graduate school at the UCLA School of Public Health in Los Angeles where she received a Master’s in Public Health. Lisa then held various positions as a public health consultant, project coordinator, health educator, and a high school mathematics instructor prior to her decision to return to school and pursue medical training. She attended medical school at the UCLA Charles Drew University in Los Angeles, California prior to coming to the University of Rochester for Family Medicine Residency training at Highland Hospital. Throughout her residency, Lisa has continued to be active in community outreach, tutoring, and mentorship in the Greater Rochester region. Dr. Downing also has an interest in complimentary and alternative medicine and has completed advanced training in this area. Dr. Downing will be officially joining the geriatric medicine fellowship program in September 2012.
Adina Jucan, DDS
Dr. Jucan grew up an attend school in Romania, including completion of a doctorate in dental surgery prior to her work as a dentist and dental sales representative in Romania and in the United States. She then joined the University of Rochester Eastman Institute for Oral Health in 2009. She completed the Advanced Education Program in General Residency at the Eastman Institute in 2011 and the General Practice Residency Program in Dentistry this year. She has presented and published her own work in the area of dental implants and distinguished herself as a skilled clinician and researcher. Dr. Jucan will be joining the training program in the field of Geriatric Dentistry as part of the interdisciplinary geriatric fellowship.
Allison Magnuson, DO
Dr. Magnuson received her undergraduate training at the University of Rochester in neuroscience. She then attended medical school at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then completed Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Connecticut were she was recognized as “Intern of the Year,” served as Chief Resident, and was the recipient of the Garibaldi Humanitarianism in Medicine Award in 2010. She then returned to the University of Rochester to pursue fellowship training in Medical Oncology. Dr. Magnuson’s interest is in the field of Geriatric Oncology and she will be pursuing combined fellowship training in both disciplines over the next two years as a Geriatric Oncology fellow. Allison will be completing a 3 month block of training in geriatrics from July through September 2012, then return to her oncology fellowship core activities for the remainder of the academic year. She will then return with us for the geriatric medicine program as a full time fellow in July 2013.
Applying to the Program
The application (in Word format) for a Fellowship with the Division of Geriatrics can be viewed on-screen and can be printed (if a printer is attached). Typed applications are preferred or hand-written legibly. Applications are also accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
Click here to download the application
If you are unable to print the application, please submit a request either in writing to:
Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program Coordinator
University of Rochester
Division of Geriatrics & Aging
435 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14620
or fax (585-760-6376)
Application submission dates
Fellowship commencing:
July 2012 - ALL POSITIONS FILLED NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
July 2013 - ALL POSITIONS FILLED NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
July 2014 - Accepting Applications
Additional Information about University of Rochester Fellowship:
Links of Interest
American Medical Directors Association (AMDA)
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
State Society on Aging of New York (SSANY)
VA Healthcare Network Upstate NY - VISN 2
Get In Touch
Division of Geriatrics & Aging
Phone: 585.760.6352
Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program
Phone: 585.760.6353
Click Here to get more information
