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Geriatric Medicine Fellowship

The SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program provides comprehensive geriatric training, emphasizing clinical medicine and quality improvement. 

A Message From the Program Director

Welcome to the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program. 

We believe geriatric medicine brings together the depth and complexity of internal and family medicine while focusing on the whole person — not just medical conditions. Our goal is to train geriatricians who promote well-being for aging adults and who provide care aligned with patients' personal health care goals and preferences. 

Throughout our 12-month program, fellows gain hands-on clinical experience and leadership skills in both rigorous and highly supported learning environments. Fellows teach undergraduate and graduate medical students and partner with the Gateway Geriatric Education Center to provide community outreach and professional education. 

Saint Louis University is where tools such as the SLUMS and the FRAIL questionnaire were developed, and you will be part of the future of geriatric assessment and innovation. 

Our program offers exposure to a wide range of care settings, including nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and home-based care, outpaitent clinics, and inpatient hospital medicine. 

Our graduates go on to thrive in diverse clinical and leadership roles, with man pursuing additional training in areas such as endocrinology, hematology-oncology, hospice and palliative medicine, gastroenterology, and health systems management. 

I personally love the supportive, collegial learning environment, the strong mentorship, the absence of unhealthy competition, and the experience of living in a city with so much to offer. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. We would be delighted to hear from you. 

Headshot of Lina Toledo Franco

Lina Toledo-Franco, M.D.
Program director

Program Overview

The one-year, ACGME-accredited geriatric medicine fellowship provides training in comprehensive primary and specialized geriatric care to older adults across inpatient, outpatient, subacute and long-term care settings. These include home care, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities; inpatient consultations and trauma surgery; inpatient and outpatient psychiatry; inpatient rehabilitation; and hospice and palliative care. 

Fellows rotate through the following sites:

Rotations are Monday through Friday. Night calls consist of telephone coverage from home from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for outpatients and nursing facilities, and some weekends. Weekend in-person hospital call could be required on hospital consult service and in-patient geriatric psychiatry rotations. On average, fellows have one night call per week and one weekend call per month — always with the backup of an attending physician. 

Fellows also participate in weekly board reviews, Grand Rounds, a monthly journal club, topic didactic lectures and presentations. They implement a quality improvement project and are encouraged to present QI and research findings at local and national meetings. 

Program Highlights

  • Nationally recognized program
  • Clinical care and leadership in a wide range of health care environments
  • Expert faculty
    • Featured speakers at national/international forums
    • Presenters at conferences worldwide
    • Consistently rated "St. Louis Top Doctors"
  • Research opportunities and mentorship
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration

Meet the Faculty

Current Fellow

Nour Ibrahim, M.D.

Nour Ibrahim, M.D.

Hometown: Lebanon
Residency: Internal medicine, Lebanese American University
Medical school: Lebanese University

Nour Ibrahim, M.D., has a passion for helping older adults manage complex health challenges and unique needs. She's committed to supporting patients and their families, and delivering personalized care that is tailored to patients' preferred living situation, preserving their independence and enhancing their life's meaning. Driven by a belief in whole-person care, Ibrahim is dedicated to age-friendly practices and hopes to work in underserved communities as an ally working for health equity and social justice. 

Outside of medicine, Ibrahim enjoys weightlifting, exploring nature, reading philosophy and sociopsychology, and travling to discover new cultures, history and authentic architecture. 

Apply

The fellowship program has two available positions each year. 

Qualifications

  • Completed an ACGME-accredited residency in internal medicine, family medicine or combined internal medicine-pediatrics. 
  • Board eligible/certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Family Medicine. 

The division sponsors J--1 visas; H-1B visas are supported on an individual basis. International applicants with authentic interest in geriatric medicine should contact the division to determine eligibility. 

The program participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). 

Review the Application Process

Interviews

Candidates should expect to be interviewed by the program director and three to four division faculty members. They can also attend an informal lunch and visit Life Care Center of St. Louis. 

About the SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Program

SSM Health proudly sponsors the Graduate Medical Education Program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This university-based training program offers a world-class academic environment that fosters clinical excellence, research innovation and compassionate care. All program participants are employed by SSM Health, ensuring a cohesive and supportive experience within a nationally recognized health system.