Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Program

The Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is designed as a one-year clinical program that trains physicians in providing holistic care to pediatric patients facing life-limiting illnesses. This fellowship, particularly well-regarded for its comprehensive curriculum and collaborative educational environment, accommodates two trainees annually.

Curriculum Overview

Trainees in the fellowship partake in a variety of clinical activities that include providing palliative care consultations in both inpatient and outpatient settings, offering telephonic symptom management, and delivering psychosocial support to pediatric patients and their families.

The training also emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration by involving fellows in weekly interprofessional palliative care education, ensuring that they have opportunities to teach and learn from fellows, residents, medical students, nurses, and hospice staff in diverse settings.

In addition to these core clinical experiences, the fellowship mandates that trainees embark on a scholarly project. This project allows fellows to explore specific interests within the realm of palliative care while benefiting from faculty mentorship throughout the research process, ensuring broad learning opportunities and contributions to the field.

Core Rotations

The fellowship includes various core rotations, allowing fellows to gain experience in:

• Inpatient palliative care consults
• Home hospice/outpatient palliative care consults
• Long-term care/Complex Care
• Penn home hospice
• Penn Inpatient Hospice at Rittenhouse
• Radiation oncology

Didactic Educational Program

The didactic component of the fellowship is integral to its structure, enhancing both clinical experience and theoretical knowledge. A notable feature is the Interprofessional Palliative Care Education Series, run in collaboration with Penn Medicine, occurring weekly from September to June. The fellowship also features dedicated small group didactics that take place throughout the fellowship year, covering critical topics such as pain management, communication strategies, and palliative care team development.

Application and Competitive Landscape

The program prioritizes candidates with advanced standing beyond PGY-3, specifically those who are completing residency training in pediatrics or in pediatric subspecialties. The selection process involves a thorough review of candidates’ Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) submissions.

International medical graduates (IMGs) are welcome to apply, provided they hold degrees from AAMC-approved medical schools. The program supports J-1 and H-1B visas, making it accessible to a diverse range of international applicants. This inclusivity may contribute to a competitive applicant pool.

Special Application Requirements

Applicants must fulfill specific requirements to be eligible for the fellowship. These include:

• A completed application via ERAS.
• A personal statement outlining interest in pediatric palliative care.
• Three letters of reference.
• A recent photograph.
• Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the USMLE, or equivalent scores within a seven-year window, as dictated by Pennsylvania state law.
• A valid ECFMG certificate for graduates from medical schools outside of the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico.
• For non-U.S. citizens, a copy of the current visa is required.

Due to specific institutional mandates aimed at safeguarding health, all fellows are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and comply with additional health regulations, which must be completed before fellowship commencement.

Unique Aspects of the Program

What sets this fellowship apart is the depth of resources available at CHOP, which runs one of the largest pediatric palliative care services in the country, responding to over 360 consults annually. The program is backed by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, ensuring robust mentorship opportunities.

The fellowship not only focuses on practical clinical skills but also prioritizes research, with support from faculty members who bring extensive experience in pediatric palliative care and established research funding.

With a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, the program values candidates from diverse backgrounds, fostering a supportive training environment aligned with the mission of enhancing healthcare outcomes for children.