ADGAP Fellowship Directors Group
The ADGAP Fellowship Directors Group was created in 2003 as a separate forum for fellowship directors from various medical centers across the nation to discuss issues of direct concern to fellowship programs. Over the past six years, the group has grown significantly and today includes over 100 fellowship program directors and fellowship coordinators.

The Fellowship Directors Group meets twice a year during American Geriatrics Society and Gerontological Society Annual meetings. Members are kept informed about issues pertaining to fellowship programs via a periodic Fellowship Directors list serv.

Dr. Susan Parks from Jefferson University is the Chair of the ADGAP Fellowship Directors Group. Marianna Drootin and Erin Corley are the AGS staff liaisons. For more information or to join the list serv please contact Erin Corley at ecorley@americangeriatrics.org.

NEW! Fellowship Directors Group Launches Forum on POGOe
The new ADGAP Fellowship Directors Forum, which is available on POGOe, is a place for Fellowship Directors and Associate/Assistant Directors to discuss current topics with colleagues by posting or making comments on issues related to running a fellowship. The Fellowship Directors Forum, moderated by Drs. Eric Widera and Amy Corcoran, is a private forum available only to Fellowship Directors and Associate/Assistant Directors.  It is set up so users can feel at ease discussing concerns, opportunities and other issues that may arise. The Forum is also a place to go for updates from the ABIM, the Fellowship Directors Handbook and more.

Signing up is easy!  

• First, make sure you have logged out of your POGOe account. Don’t have an account with POGOe? Click HERE to register first and then log back out.
• Next, click this link to login. You will automatically be directed to the Forums User Control Panel.
• Then, select the ADGAP Fellowship Group by clicking the circle next to it. Choose “Join selected” from the pull down menu and then hit Submit.
• Finally, you will need to be approved by the Forum moderator.

Once you are approved, you will be able to access the Forum from the main page by clicking on “Forums” and then selecting “ADGAP Fellowship Directors Group.” You will also have the ability to control email notifications alerting you to new topics and comments. For additional information, feedback, or questions, please contact Erin Corley at ecorley@americangeriatrics.org.

ACGME Waiver Letter for On-Site Supervision of Geriatric Medicine Fellows in Nursing Homes
The ACGME has granted a waiver of the requirement for on-site supervision of geriatrics fellows when visiting nursing homes for urgent, unscheduled visits. The exemption will be posted as an FAQ to the ACGME website.

Updated Timeline Set for the IM/FM RRC Geriatric Fellowship Requirements
2011: Review by the ACGME Committee on Program Requirements
2012: New Program requirements go into effect

Changes to American Medical Directors Association Certification in Medical Direction Program
A number of geriatrics fellowship directors have asked us how the 2005 changes to the American Medical Directors Association’s (AMDA) Certified Medical Director (CMD) program will affect their fellows. The major change is that, in order to satisfy the medical direction/medical management requirement, geriatric fellows must now complete AMDA’s Core Curriculum in Medical Direction, as well as graduate from an accredited fellowship program.

Initial Certification Requirements for the AMDA CMD Program

• Hold ABMS or AOA Board Certification in a primary specialty;
• Complete an ACGME or AOA accredited fellowship in geriatrics;
• Complete two years of clinical practice in long-term care; and
• Complete the Core Curriculum

How Initial Certification Requirements have Changed: Addition of Requirement that Fellows Complete the Core Curriculum
Beginning in 1999, the Board of the CMD program began to see more fellows attending the Core Curriculum, either while they were still fellows or when they assumed their first positions, particularly if they were assuming a role as a Medical Director in the near future. Many fellows completing the Core recommended that it be a requirement because they had not had comprehensive exposure to medical direction in their one-year geriatrics fellowships, given the competing demands on their time.

Note: No Change in Clinical Practice Requirement
Geriatrics fellows must complete two additional years of clinical practice in the long-term care setting. This requirement has not changed.

For More information on Certification:
See AMDA’s Certification-at-a-Glance for more information on initial certification and recertification.