Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship
In response to the growing need for quality geriatric healthcare associated with the "graying of America," UCLA has emerged as a leader in education and training in geriatric psychiatry and medicine. The Geriatric Psychiatry Training Program is a major component of the UCLA's nationally acclaimed geriatrics program.
With increased longevity, risk for many neuropsychiatric illnesses increases, generating a growing need for specialists with expertise in diagnosis and treatment of geriatric mental illness. Trainees are exposed to the full range of geriatric psychiatric disorders in a variety of clinical settings and receive close supervision from experienced faculty. Advances in research on aging and geriatric mental health by our renowned faculty informs clinical care and equips fellows with the most innovative approaches to depression, psychosis, age-related memory loss, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and other geriatric mental health issues. Training at UCLA includes instruction in the most recent technologies, treatments, legal and ethical issues, and psychosocial aspects of geriatric psychopathology. UCLA faculty are involved nationally in geriatric psychiatry training curriculum development, and the program fosters training for future education leaders. Many opportunities for research training are also available to fellows interested in leadership roles in academic psychiatry.
UCLA offers a one-year program for psychiatrists at the PGY V level, which is accredited by the American Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Graduates are eligible to sit for the examination to receive Subspecialty Certification in Geriatric Psychiatry. For psychiatrists with interest in academic career paths, an additional fellowship year is available with training enhanced by individual research projects, collaboration with faculty in ongoing investigations, and supervised teaching and administrative experience.
A two-year post-doctoral fellowship for psychologists provides specialized clinical and research training. Clinical assessment and treatment, case management, and research activities are emphasized. Specialty training in neuropsychological assessment of the older adult is also available. The program provides trainees with clinical experience that can be counted toward the hours required for California licensure as well as research training in preparation for an academic career. Fellowship Director is David Sultzer, MD.
Areas of training in both programs include:
- phenomenology of mental health in older adults
- psychiatric syndromes in older adults: cognitive disorders, psychosis, mood syndromes, anxiety, and others
- age-related physiological changes affecting clinical phenomenology and pharmacotherapy
- age-related psychosocial changes
- neuropsychology and the healthy psychology of aging
- community health issues and health service delivery research and administration
- Full description of the fellowship program (PDF)
- Complete fellowship application and instructions - (PDF document) Editable form that can also be saved and emailed to UCLA for review. Hard copies will be required for final submission.
If you have any questions about the application process:
Karina Amaya, Housestaff Coordinator
UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Department of Psychiatry, Office of Education
760 Westwood Plaza, Room C8-225
Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759
310.825.0018, Direct – 310.825.0018, Fax
kamaya@mednet.ucla.edu
