Medical Students

The Wake Forest University Medical School is an integrated program; students are exposed to our faculty throughout their training. During the second year of medical school, a curriculum on aging pathophysiology extends throughout the year.  There are also opportunities to participate as a volunteer through our Geriatrics Interest Group.  During the third year of medical school, students rotate through geriatrics as part of their Internal Medicine rotation.  This rotation includes experiences in the Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit, ambulatory primary care geriatrics, geriatric consultation, memory assessment, house calls, Senior Services Programs, nursing-home based subacute care, long-term care and assisted living.  

Additionally, students may have an inpatient experience in geriatrics through our Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit.  On this rotation, the third year medical student will follow older patients who are admitted for acute medical problems. They will interact with a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and a pharmacy team to manage frail older adults with acute medical problems. 

During the fourth year of medical school, students choose electives specifically tailored to the students’ educational needs.  These electives may include work in outpatient geriatrics, long-term care, or geriatric clinical research.  Students can also select to rotate through the Advanced Inpatient Management program, in which the student serves as the acting intern for patients assigned on the ACE Unit. 

Didactic experiences for medical students throughout these clinical rotations include our Core Conference Series, Geriatric Grand Rounds, Research Teaching Rounds, and Clinical Teaching Rounds.  

For more information on applying or transferring to the Medical School, access the school’s web site.