Postdoctoral Training Program in Behavioral Geriatrics

This two-year postdoctoral training program develops independent investigators capable of conducting patient-oriented research to improve the quality of life and quality of care of older adults.

Behavioral Geriatrics is a scientific discipline that explicitly integrates social/behavioral approaches with biomedical approaches to study clinically significant and pressing issues of aging (e.g., pain, cognitive impairment, polypharmacy, caregiving, end-of-life medical decision-making, bereavement). The distinctive Year 1 Behavioral Geriatrics Didactic Core will cover topics including clinical and psychosocial epidemiology, community-based participatory research, health services research, and trial design as related to the study of older adults.

The program is co-led by Cary Reid, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life and Holly Prigerson, Ph.D., director of the Center for Research on End of Life Care. Applications will be accepted from both M.D. and Ph.D. postdoctoral trainees who seek careers that bridge biomedical and innovative social/behavioral approaches to improve care and outcomes in older adults.

Program Description

Co-mentored research in Year 1, culminating in a Year 2 research project for which the Trainee serves as PI under co-mentor supervision. Our cadre of experienced and successful Behavioral Geriatrics research mentors include co-directors Reid (management of multifactorial pain in later life) and Prigerson (care of patients and families at the end-of-life and into bereavement). Additional faculty members include: Dr. Ronald Adelman (palliative care), Dr. Mark Lachs (elder abuse), Dr. Karl Pillemer (family dynamics and family care of older adults), and Dr. Elaine Wethington (social isolation/integration). Trainees will be integrated into a large, “research-ready” network of New York City organizations serving ethnically diverse older adults. We foster multiple opportunities for trainees to network with mentors and others within our aging networks. View our complete mentor list.

All trainees participate in monthly Work-In-Progress Seminars and regularly scheduled Trainees’ Forums, which provide instruction in the presentation and publication of results, ethical conduct of research, grant preparation, and help to build career development skills. Biostatisticians and data entry and management personnel from existing grants will be available to assist T32 trainees. MD trainees will complete the Cornell CTSC Master’s degree or Certificate Program in Clinical Research. The program provides support for trainees to attend two national aging related conferences per year as well as at least one trip to the Cornell Ithaca campus to meet with our Ithaca based mentors.

How To Apply

Weill Cornell Medicine’s Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine is looking for strong, passionate, well-qualified and ethnically diverse applicants. For those interested in the opportunity, please email dac2061@med.cornell.edu with your CV and cover letter detailing why you are interested in the program and why you might be a good fit (500 word limit). Please review Weill Cornell Medical College’s general postdoctoral fellow-related information and resources.

Applications will be accepted until February 1 of the desired start year. Candidates will be selected on a rolling basis each year until each of the two new slots per year are filled.

Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

Ronald D. Adelman, M.D., Co-Chief
Mark S. Lachs, M.D., M.P.H., Co-Chief

Training Program in Behavioral Geriatrics

Cary Reid, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Director
Holly Prigerson, Ph.D., Co-Director

Naomi Woubeshet, Research Administrative Specialist
Tel: 646-962-7163
naw4001@med.cornell.edu