Aurora Health Care Program

The Aurora Hospice & Palliative Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program designed to cultivate the skills necessary for providing comprehensive palliative care. Located in Milwaukee, this fellowship is structured to accept two fellows annually, providing them with a thorough and diverse clinical experience across various practice sites within the community.

Program Overview

The fellowship encompasses a robust curriculum that includes different rotations, didactics, and opportunities for research. Fellows rotate through inpatient palliative care, home hospice, long-term care, and pediatric palliative care. This ensures exposure not just to a variety of medical conditions but also to different patient populations, thereby enriching the training experience.

Key Rotations

The primary rotations include:

• Inpatient Palliative Care
• Home Hospice
• Inpatient Hospice
• Long-Term Care
• Pediatric Palliative Care

During the inpatient palliative care rotation, fellows work at facilities such as Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, which is one of the busiest hospitals in the area, and Aurora Sinai Medical Center where they deal with complex psychosocial situations among a diverse patient population3.

Didactics and Educational Activities

The program features a wide array of didactics designed to bolster fellows' clinical knowledge. Regular didactic sessions include Noon Conferences, Medical Director Rounds, and Wellness Huddles that contribute to a comprehensive educational atmosphere. In addition to these, fellows participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and ethics committee discussions on a case-by-case basis5.

Importantly, new fellows undergo a two-week ‘boot camp’ that covers foundational topics in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and introduces them to potential research topics, which are a significant aspect of the fellowship experience.

Research Opportunities

Fellow scholarship is a vital part of the program where fellows are allotted one month dedicated to research and scholarly activities. This collaboration with research-focused faculty ensures that the fellows can explore their specific areas of interest meaningfully. Moreover, fellows are encouraged to attend national conferences to enhance their learning and networking opportunities.6

Faculty

The strength of the Aurora Hospice & Palliative Fellowship is significantly attributed to its faculty, who possess extensive backgrounds in palliative care. They are dedicated educators and mentors who actively engage in research and publication, providing fellows with access to valuable insights and learning experiences throughout the year3.

Benefits and Salary

The fellowship offers a competitive salary along with comprehensive health benefits for fellows and their eligible dependents. In addition to direct compensation, the program includes perks that further support fellows during their training period4.

Application Process and Qualifications

Applications for the fellowship should be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Eligibility requirements include the completion of an ACGME-accredited residency in specialties such as Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and more. The fellowship considers candidates needing J-1 visa sponsorship, while H-1b visa sponsorship is not required. The program’s NRMP number is 1787540F0, which applicants will need during the application process4.

Competitiveness

This fellowship is known to be highly competitive. It welcomes a variety of candidates including graduates from DO and IMG programs, emphasizing a commitment to a diverse cohort rather than a narrow focus on U.S. graduates. This inclusive philosophy supports an enriching learning environment for fellows from numerous backgrounds.

Practice Sites

The program includes various practice sites across Milwaukee, including:

• Aurora Sinai Medical Center
• Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center
• Aurora Zilber Family Hospice
• Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

These facilities provide fellows with extensive exposure to different aspects of palliative care including inpatient and outpatient settings, thus ensuring a well-rounded training experience7.