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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program

Indian Health Geriatric Scholars (GeriScholars)

Program Information

The Alzheimer’s Program, a program of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Office of Clinical and Preventive Services (OCPS), Division of Clinical and Community Services (DCCS), coordinates the Indian Health Geriatric Scholars (GeriScholars) pilot.

medical provider

The Indian Health GeriScholars pilot was developed with the support and collaboration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Rural Health and utilizes the highly successful VA Geriatric Scholars Program model that has built geriatric expertise into the primary care workforce over the past decade.

The Indian Health GeriScholars pilot provides participating IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health clinicians with an individual intensive learning track for professional continuing education, including:

  1. A week-long intensive training in geriatrics from an approved Geriatrics Board Review course
  2. A mentored geriatric improvement project at their local facility
  3. A clinical practicum or mentorship in geriatric practice
  4. Ongoing education, training, and peer support as an Indian Health Geriatric Scholar

2024 GeriScholar Program Application Period

In 2024, the Indian Health GeriScholars Program will accept up to 15 physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), or pharmacists sponsored by their IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health program. It will reimburse training at one of the following intensive training courses:

Accepted GeriScholars will follow their sponsoring facility process for enrollment in one of the above courses. The IHS Division of Clinical Community Services (DCCS) will reimburse the sponsoring facility for the cost of the training after the training is completed. Please email IHSElderHealth@ihs.gov for questions regarding enrollment and travel reimbursement to your facility.

Time and Commitment

In addition to the time allowed for attendance at the selected intensive training course and the time devoted to the local improvement efforts, accepted GeriScholars will be expected to attend the following virtual meetings during the first year:

  • Orientation to the Indian Health GeriScholars Pilot (one hour) in August 2024.
  • Orientation to the Improvement Project (one hour) in October 2024.
  • Join at least two group-coaching calls (one hour) between October 2024 and May 2025.
  • Final project presentation in May 2025.

Timeline

  • Application Period Opens: June 5, 2024
  • Application Period Closes: July 5, 2024
  • The IHS Elder Health team will notify applicants of their provisional acceptance as Indian Health GeriScholars on a rolling basis, ensuring distribution across the IHS Areas. We will notify all Indian Health GeriScholars by August 8, 2024.
  • Commitment to the program is required, including submitting enrollment documentation for the intensive training course, by August 16, 2024.

Application Requirements

Application to the Indian Health Geriatric Scholars Pilot [PDF - 179 KB]

Submission of completed Application to the IHS Elder Health program. The Application must include the following:

  • Endorsement by the CEO of the IHS Service Unit, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health program or their designee and the applicant’s clinical supervisor.
  • Selection of an approved intensive training course.
  • Commitment to serve as a local champion for improved care of the elderly and persons living with dementia and their caregivers and to join in meetings identified above.
  • Commitment to attend the virtual meetings.

After notification of provisional acceptance as a GeriScholar, the applicant will provide enrollment documentation in one of the intensive training courses.

Primary Care Physicians, NPs, PAs, and pharmacists from all IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health Programs are eligible and encouraged to apply.