Geriatric Psychiatry Program

This one year program is accredited by the ACGME for up to two residents. Applicants to this program will have completed a general psychiatry program or will be completing one prior to entry into this program. Applicants must also have completed Part 3 of the USMLE and be eligible for a Florida medical license.

Clinical Rotations

The hospital clinical experiences are based at the James Haley VA Medical Center Hospital in Tampa, Florida and consist of rotations through outpatient, inpatient, nursing home, and consultation services. In addition, two to three half days each week are spent at sites outside the VA system. These include the USF Memory Disorder Clinic at the Johnnie B. Byrd Alzheimer's Disease Center, the outpatient clinic at the University Psychiatry Center and a Clinical Trials rotation at the Suncoast Gerontology Center or the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, both at the Byrd Institute.

Teaching Activities

Weekly activities include geriatric psychiatry seminar, geriatric medicine seminar at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center Hospital and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences Grand Rounds. Monthly activities include journal club and case conferences.

Research

There are many opportunities for research which include

• Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute
• Florida Mental Health Institute,
• Suncoast Alzheimer's & Gerontology Center,
• Institute for Research in Psychiatry

Faculty

• Jean Fils, M.D.
  Assistant Professor and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program
  Board certified in General Psychiatry with Added Qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry
• Julia Winston M.D.
  Assistant Professor and Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry Service, James A. Haley VA Hospital
  Board certified in General Psychiatry with Added Qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry
• Francisco Fernandez M.D.
  Professor and Chairperson, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
  Interim Director, Geriatric Psychiatry
  Principle Investigator, USF Memory Disorder Clinic
  Board certified in General Psychiatry
• Jaffrey Hashimie M.D.
  Staff Psychiatrist, James A. Haley VA Hospital
  Board Certified in General Psychiatry with Added Qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry
• Regina Velasco, D.O.
  Assistant Professor and Staff Psychiatrist Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatient Service, James A. Haley VA Hospital
  Board certified in General Psychiatry with Added Qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry
• Jonathan Stewart M.D.
  Professor and Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry Service, James A Haley VA Hospital
  Board Certified in General Psychiatry with Added Qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry

Current Fellows

• Connie Poetter, M.D.
  Medical School: University of South Florida
  Residency: University of South Florida

General

The resident is encouraged to attend relevant lectures sponsored by other disciplines and departments such as the Institute of Aging, the Florida Mental Health Institute, and College of Public Health, which are all on campus.

Jean M. Fils, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
Director, Geriatric Psychiatry Training Program

Contact Information

For more information about our Geriatric Fellowship contact:
Education Coordinator: Kay Isaac (kisaac@health.usf.edu)