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Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation Clinical Internship Program

The internship program at the Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation Clinic gives undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, assist leading healthcare providers in diagnosing these conditions, and gain hands-on experience working with patients.

The program was created to introduce highly motivated pre-professionals to the field of geriatric medicine while promoting inclusion and mentorship. We are committed to supporting students from groups underrepresented in healthcare by ensuring equal access to resources, training, and opportunities that prepare them for successful entry into medical and healthcare professions.

Program Details and Activities

  • Administer and grade standardized cognitive assessments such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

  • Assist with preparation and organization of patient testing packets and clinical documentation.

  • Observe provider–patient interactions to understand communication styles and care delivery in geriatric medicine.

  • Review laboratory tests, neuroimaging, and biomarker results with clinical staff to learn how findings inform diagnosis.

  • Enter and maintain accurate patient data in the electronic health record (EHR) under supervision.

  • Support staff with scheduling, intake, and patient flow during clinic operations.

  • Learn referral and follow-up processes, including how patients are connected to specialists and community resources.

  • Gain exposure to clinical research protocols and ongoing clinical trials. 

  • Receive mentorship from physicians, nurse practitioners, and research staff about medical careers and academic pathways.

  • Develop professional skills in medical ethics, confidentiality, and patient-centered care.

  • Network with peers, faculty, and community professionals to build connections in healthcare.

Mentorship in the Program

This internship program is designed to provide guidance and support for students interested in healthcare careers, particularly those who may not otherwise have access to resources or clinical experience.

Interns work closely with staff throughout the year during their time at TMDF. Providers often take time to explain disease progression and diagnosis, as well as share advice on navigating a healthcare career. This access to clinical knowledge, combined with direct patient interactions, offers a rare and valuable experience not commonly found in other undergraduate programs.

At TMDF, we emphasize connecting classroom learning to real-world application. Students gain firsthand exposure to how scientific coursework translates into clinical practice, while also experiencing the intrinsic rewards of working with older adults. With these goals in mind, we aim to prepare the next generation of healthcare providers to better address the needs of the geriatric population, with a focus on serving underserved patients.

Benefits

The Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation Clinic is committed to promoting diversity and encouraging applications from students underrepresented in medicine.

Interns may also qualify for financial support through the Genie Kilday Scholarship, established through a generous donation from a patient’s spouse. This scholarship was created to reduce the financial burden of unpaid internships by providing compensation to support the continued education and training of our students.

Testimonials

Christiane Alvarez

“I started working as a Clinical Assistant at Genesis, and will be joining full time to spend my summer working alongside extremely competent staff and learning from my peers.  My experience has been irreplaceable.  It has allowed me to explore the promising field of medicine and find in myself the desire to pursue such field.  This discovery largely came from the unique experience Genesis offers to work with patients and hear their stories.  Because of my background from a single-parent household, I must support myself financially, and thus, being a paid staff member has provided means for me as well.” 

Caroline Arias

“My experience at Genesis Neuroscience Clinic was one full of growth and reflection. I was introduced to technologies and tools I had never heard of and trained to administer testing in a professional manner. I observed clinical operations and staff expertise in a way I did not have access to before. I am confident that the skills I learned here will serve me well wherever I may take them and are easily translated to a multitude of fields.”

Joshua Duzan

“My time at Genesis taught me a lot about myself and medicine at the same time. My experience with the program was one of the key factors in my acceptance to medical school. Not only did this reaffirm that this is what I am meant to do, I am confident that I will not be a better physician- especially towards the geriatric population. I learned important skills such as how to be more compassionate and talk to patients in many different ways to ensure they can understand. I feel that I will carry the lessons I learned through my time here throughout my career as a physician and for that I am forever grateful.”

Gia Hodges

“I remember one patient in particular had complimented me on my ability to lead the cognitive testing sessions with confidence. She followed that compliment with, “I know you will become a great doctor one day!” This is why coming to this internship is such an integral part of my week. I know that I am a part in taking care of them, but sometimes I feel like they are taking care of me. My internship at Genesis reminds me why I want to become a doctor every day.”

Joshua Lederle

“My time at Genesis was a formative experience for me during my time in college. I was given a chance to work with patients every single day and was given the opportunity to connect with them in a therapeutic way which is what I dream of doing in the future. Not only that, but I was constantly confronted with new challenges that allowed me to grow as a professional and as a student of psychology and neuroscience. I am forever thankful for Genesis Neuroscience for allowing me the opportunity to hone my therapeutic skills while also expanding my knowledge of neuroscience more than I thought was possible.”

Shahin Ahmadi

“I was very involved in the daily operations of the clinic, where I had the privilege to work with incredibly qualified staff in a friendly environment. This internship has also opened up doors to competitive scholarships and academic programs that I would otherwise not have access to. My time at Genesis provided me with both a clearer vision of how I see myself as a future doctor and a mindfulness towards people and their struggles that made me grow as a person.”

Pooja Patel

“Typically, patients and family members will just say, ‘Good luck with medical school.’ This one, though, really caught me off guard. He said, ‘You know what makes me certain you love what you are doing and will be an amazing doctor? You’re wearing a mask, but I can see your smile just from looking at your eyes. They glisten when you talk. Don’t let that light in your eyes fade. It will be the reason people come to you for help. Thank you for what you did for me today and I hope you continue helping others.”

This is why being an intern at Genesis solidified my decision to go into healthcare. There were many days in my undergraduate career that made me rethink my choice of wanting to pursue medicine, but every week when I came into the clinic and interacted with patients, I left with the same decision: I want to go to medical school. No other career would make my eyes glisten; I think it would only make the light fade.

Danyelle Harmon, participated in the program for three years. She is now joining the Physician Assistant Class of 2023 at Lipscomb University in Nashville.

Brett Emery, served as an intern for a year and was swiftly added to our staff for another two years. She is now at the DZNE (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases) on a DIGS-BB internship program. Afterwards she will be applying for a PhD in this field.

Austin Montgomery began as an intern at Genesis in 2019 and joined our staff as our Senior Clinical Coordinator in 2020. Austin is now a medical student at Emory School of Medicine and plans to graduate 2025. 

Jerica Jackson began as an intern in 2017 and joined our staff in 2018 as our Senior Clinical Coordinator. She was promoted to Clinical Manager in 2019. Jerica is now a medical student at Lincoln Memorial University- Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and is set to graduate in 2025. She is interested in serving rural and underserved communities to help resolve health disparities that present themselves in these areas especially among underrepresented communities.

Jessica Brock started as an intern in 2019 and joined our staff in 2020 where she eventually became Lead Medical Assistant. She is now a medical student at Lincoln Memorial University- Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. Jessica hopes to become a geriatric neurologist and contribute to research within Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Katie Thronson became an intern in August of 2020 and stayed for 2 years. She is now pursuing a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration at the University of Notre Dame. After completing her Master’s, she plans on applying to medical school. 

Joshua Duzan began as an intern in May 2021 and joined our staff in the fall later that year as Supporting Clinical Coordinator and Research Coordinator. Joshua is now a medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Memphis as a part of the class of 2027.  

How to Apply

Applications are accepted year-round, with most decisions made approximately one month before the start of each school semester. An application submission is required. If your application matches the needs of our clinic, you will be contacted to schedule an interview and provided with the next steps.

Click the button below to begin the application process.

For questions, please contact:

Eduardo Chacon, MPH, CHES
Clinical Coordinator

clinical.coordinator@tmdf.org

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