At the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, we make it our mission to advance health care and quality of life for older people and those with serious illnesses. Whether you are a medical student, fellow, or graduate student, we train you through integrated clinical care, academics, and research.
We believe it is important for everyone to learn about the issues involved with health care and quality of life for older people. We are one of a handful of medical schools that requires all medical school students to complete a month-long rotation in geriatric medicine. In addition to our three geriatric and palliative medicine fellowships, we also offer training to practicing physicians and other hospital staff members who aim to expand their knowledge of integrative care for the elderly.
Our research initiatives include the Geriatric Research, Educational and Clinical Center located at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center; the Older Americans Independence Center; the National Palliative Care Research Center; the Research Institute on Aging; and of course our own independently funded geriatric palliative care investigators.
The quality of our research and education are evident in our patient care. We work with patients and their primary care doctors to develop a continuity of care plan through the Lilian and Benjamin Hertzberg Palliative Care Institute. We see patients at the Martha Stewart Center for Living, which houses the Phyllis and Lee Coffey Geriatrics Associates, a primary care practice that specializes in caring for older adults.
As a student, you can participate in the Longitudinal Patient Care Experience, where you interact with community dwelling patients with chronic illness such as HIV and end-stage renal disease. Students partner with patients and the patients' health care teams throughout the first two years.
The Mount Sinai Health System has a long-standing commitment to both geriatrics and palliative care. The Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine was established in 1982, the first of its kind at an American medical school. Our roots in geriatric medicine extend even further back, to 1914, when one of our physicians, Ignatz L. Nascher, MD, coined the term “geriatrics.” Our commitment to palliative medicine is equally strong, and we incorporate geriatrics and palliative care into all parts of our medical education. We remain committed to those needing assistance with quality of life issues here in New York City and around the world.
Message from the Chair
Our Chair, R. Sean Morrison, MD, describes the research we conduct and the care we provide for geriatric patients.
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Departmental Solidarity Affirmation
The Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Mount Sinai Health System stands firm in denouncing all forms of racism, bias, and inequities experienced by our patients, students, trainees, colleagues, and ALL members of our community.
We condemn these actions, and knowing the trauma they cause, we are committed to:
- Foster a learning and working environment that is oriented towards healing and equity.
- Develop and support interventions that are responsive to all forms of racism and bias.
- Provide resources to support all members of our community who are impacted by racism and all forms of oppression.
For more information on our departmental initiatives, please visit our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion SharePoint site.
Historic Milestones
We were the first academic geriatrics department in the United States, leading to a string of ‘firsts.’
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Research
We conduct a variety of research initiatives into aging and palliative care. We maintain strong affiliations with several national centers and contribute significantly and regularly to clinical research in both of these arenas. Our research is done collaboratively with basic science departments and institutes at Mount Sinai.
The Patty and Jay Baker National Palliative Care Center
We work on public policy, education, training, national outreach, and research aimed at improving access to quality palliative care for all seriously ill Americans and their families.
Education
Learn about our geriatrics and palliative medicine programs for faculty, medical students, nurses, and visiting physicians.
Learn more about our education programs
Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Faculty
Our faculty members provide excellent clinical care, conduct wide-ranging research, take a leadership role in transforming national standards, and train students to tend to older and palliative care patients.
Fellowship Programs
Our fellowship programs enable you to build on the skills you developed throughout residency to become an expert in caring for older adults.
Geriatrics Fellowship at Mount Sinai
We train you to become an academic leader with excellent foundations in patient care and research.
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Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
This one-year fellowship prepares you to practice palliative medicine in an academic setting.
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Integrated Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
This fellowship trains you in caring for geriatric patients and in providing palliative medicine for older patients and others.
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LEAP into Geriatrics Leadership Fellowship
This fellowship prepares graduates to lead hospitals, health systems, and quality improvement pgorams, and for leadership positions in payer organizations.
Learn more about the fellowship
Research on Disparities in Aging and Dementia
Under an NIH Training Grant and with the Division of General Internal Medicine, this research training fellowship focuses on people with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and other older adult vulnerable populations.