Research
Our division engages in a wide range of scholarly work, including original clinical investigation, health system implementation science, health policy research and clinical guideline updates. We have also been at the forefront of changes in how care is provided to older adults via collaborative studies and research into several areas, such as hearing loss, heart conditions, frailty/resilience, delirium, dementia and telemedicine. Our faculty members contribute to the fields of medical education, addressing health disparities in primary and preventive care, improving care transitions for patients, women’s health and resilient aging. Our faculty members have been funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Medical Education Scholars, University of Arizona Cancer Center and the NIH-supported Southwest Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Innovation. We benefit from a strong culture of community-engaged research at the University of Arizona, collaborating with health sciences colleagues across the University of Arizona’s colleges of Public Health, Pharmacy and Nursing, as well as the from the colleges of Engineering and Science.
Education
Our faculty serve as core educators, clinic preceptors and mentors for the College of Medicine - Tucson’s medical students and internal medicine residents. We emphasize that general internal medicine, geriatrics and palliative medicine are fulfilling specialty choices for medical students and residents interested in careers dedicated to providing longitudinal care for all adults, from primary prevention to highly complex care. As skilled and dedicated clinician-educators, we are the backbone in preparing the next generation of physicians to provide the best of care for all. We host one-year ACGME-accredited fellowships in Geriatrics and in Hospice & Palliative Medicine. Our faculty hold leadership positions in medical education, including the vice dean of medical education, vice chair for faculty development & wellness, chair/vice-chair of AMES, program/associate program directors, clerkship directors and Societies mentors.
In geriatrics, we have pioneered efforts to train physicians in the care of older adults through our Reynolds Scholar program, and we are developing geriatric emergency departments to improve outcomes for older people seeking emergency care. Our HRSA Geriatric Workforce Education Program grant trains health professionals and care partners across the state in age-friendly and dementia-friendly care. In palliative care, trainees work alongside us at Banner - University Medical Center Tucson to learn how to provide specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness, and we provide palliative education for trainees and colleagues in medical and surgical specialties.
Our division uniquely brings together the study and practice of medicine across a broad spectrum of care in general internal medicine, geriatrics and palliative medicine. Including our faculty at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, we emphasize cross-training and shared learning. Really, though, it’s simply about outstanding care for adults. Trainees learn to promote healthy and functional lives for all adults — whatever their stage in life and wherever they live. Our faculty are also committed to engaging with our community, sharing our expertise in partnership with people locally, across the state and nationally. Our faculty consistently receive teaching awards in recognition of their excellent teaching and mentorship.