Washington, D.C. – The population of elder Americans aged 65 and older is growing faster than ever, and they are living longer than ever. To better serve the healthcare needs of this patient group, MedStar Washington Hospital Center is offering a fellowship training program in Geriatrics.

In the year-long program, fellows will gain in-depth experience in care of the elderly in the hospital, home and other medical environments, such as in a skilled nursing setting. Under the guidance of the Hospital Center’s geriatrics faculty, fellows will be an integral part of the Medical House Call team and will develop high level skills in an interdisciplinary training.

“Caring for elderly patients is often challenging and complex, and this type of development and special needs training will equip future geriatricians to manage this patient population,” said Namirah Jamshed, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine and fellowship director at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

This year’s first incoming fellow is Yamamah Alam, MD. Dr. Alam earned her medical degree from the Fatima Jinnah Medical College for Women in Lahore, Pakistan, and recently completed her residency in family medicine at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.

"The bond that I shared growing up with my grandmother is the basis of my interest in geriatrics,” said Dr. Alam. “In this fellowship, I will experience a whole spectrum of geriatrics in all settings and will learn a lot each day.”

Geriatric medicine is a subspecialty of internal medicine and family medicine that deals with the complex medical and psychosocial problems of the elderly. Patients often have multiple illnesses, use multiple medications and may face social disadvantages, emotional vulnerability, or financial challenges.

The fellowship training is sponsored by the Hospital Center and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

MedStar Washington Hospital Center

MedStar Washington Hospital Center is a 926-bed, major teaching and research hospital. It is the largest private, not-for-profit hospital in the nation’s capital, among the 50 largest hospitals in the nation and a major referral center for the most complex tertiary services. It consistently ranks among the nation’s top hospitals as recognized by U.S.News & World Report. The Hospital Center is a respected top facility in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes & endocrinology, gastroenterology & GI surgery, geriatrics, gynecology, nephrology, orthopaedics, pulmonology and urology. It operates MedSTAR, one of the country’s top shock-trauma and medevac programs, and also operates the region’s only adult burn center.

Media Contacts:

Sylvia T. Ballinger
[email protected]
202-877-7072

So Young Pak
[email protected]
202-877-2748