Orthogeriatrics Fellowship

Ortho Fellowship

July 2025 - Western University Celebrates Graduation of Canada’s First Orthogeriatric Fellow

 Western Orthogeriatric Fellowship Program

Program Overview

The Western Orthogeriatric Fellowship is a one-year advanced clinical training program designed to develop physician expertise in the interdisciplinary care of older adults with fragility fractures. The fellowship emphasizes holistic, evidence-based management of complex geriatric patients with bone and mineral disorders, including osteoporosis.

Fellows will train across acute care, rehabilitation, and outpatient settings, supported by a multidisciplinary faculty of geriatricians, endocrinologists, physiatrists, and allied health professionals. The program also includes structured education in quality improvement, research, and system-based care models such as inpatient orthogeriatric services and outpatient Fracture Liaison Services (FLS).

Learning Objectives

By the end of the fellowship, participants will be able to:

  1. Evaluate and manage bone and mineral meabolism disorders in older adults.
  2. Diagnose and deliver evidence-based care for complex metabolic bone diseases, including:
    1. Osteomalacia
    2. Paget’s disease
    3. Calcium and parathyroid disorders
    4. CKD-MBD
    5. Rare bone diseases (e.g., X-linked hypophosphatemia, osteogenesis imperfecta, hypophosphatasia)
  3. Interpret bone mineral density studies (DXA).
  4. Design and implement Fracture Liaison Services in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
  5. Conduct comprehensive geriatric assessments for patients aged 65+ admitted with fragility hip fractures.
  6. Lead research or quality improvement initiatives in orthogeriatrics, falls prevention, or bone and mineral metabolism.

Curriculum Structure

Outpatient Clinic Rotations 

  • Osteoporosis & Metabolic Bone Disease Clinics
  • Post-Fracture Clinic
  • Urgent Osteoporosis Clinic
  • Falls Clinic
  • Parkwood Osteoporosis Consultation Service 

Consultation Liaison Rotations

  • University Hospital & Victoria Hospital: Orthogeriatric consults and perioperative co-management

Geriatric Rehabilitation Rotation

  • Post-fracture rehabilitation in a Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit

Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Rotation

  • Clinical experience in the ACE unit

Research Rotation

  • Dedicated time for original research or quality improvement projects

Additional Training Opportunities

  • Active participation in the Fracture Liaison Service
  • Advanced DXA interpretation training via ISCD course
  • Team member of the ECHO Orthogeriatrics HUB

Contact Information

For inquiries or to apply, please contact:
Dr. Jenny Thain
📧 jenny.thain@lhsc.on.ca