Skip to site content
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program

GeriScholars FAQs

patient and medical provider

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

For additional questions or to submit your completed application, please email the program at IHSElderHealth@ihs.gov.

Indian Health Geriatric Scholars Pilot — Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible?

Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists from IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health programs are eligible to apply. In the future, other disciplines may be eligible.

2. How do I apply?

Individuals interested in the program are invited to send their applications to IHSElderHealth@ihs.gov. In the brief application form, applicants will note these requirements:

  • Endorsement of their participation by their clinical supervisor and the CEO or Health Administrator of their IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health program and a commitment by those individuals to support a geriatric improvement project at their facility.
  • Selection of one of the approved intensive training courses and approval for the training.
  • A commitment to participate in meetings that will focus on the development of their geriatric improvement project addressing care for older individuals.

3. How do I enroll in the required Intensive Training Course and Quality Improvement Course?

After you are notified that your application has been provisionally accepted, you must enroll directly in one of the approved training courses, following the usual process for training requests at your IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health program.

The training must be approved and paid for by your sponsoring IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health program. The IHS Division of Clinical and Community Service (DCCS) will work with your IHS Area Office to reimburse your sponsoring program for the registration. Do not pay for the registration personally. The IHS DCCS cannot reimburse you directly for registration and can only refund your IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health program for these costs.

Final acceptance as an Indian Health GeriScholar is contingent on documentation of enrollment in one of the training courses.

4. What is the time commitment?

Indian Health GeriScholars are expected to attend the following virtual meetings throughout 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 2024.

5. Who can I contact for questions?

Please email the program at IHSElderHealth@ihs.gov.