Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Program

The Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation in La Crosse presents a unique opportunity for fellows to develop essential skills necessary for providing high-quality, patient-centered hospice and palliative care. The program is designed to train the next generation of healthcare providers to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team, ensuring that patients and their families receive dignified and compassionate care.

Fellowship Structure

This one-year fellowship is divided into 13 four-week blocks, comprising various rotations that encompass a wide array of experiences in hospice and palliative medicine. A distinctive feature of the program is the inclusion of an elective block, allowing fellows the flexibility to pursue research or customize their training based on personal interests and career aspirations.

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Core Rotations

Fellows will engage in several core rotations during their training:

• Inpatient Palliative Medicine: Conducted at the Gundersen Health System campus, fellows join an interdisciplinary team to provide consultative services, lead family meetings, and manage end-of-life care for hospitalized patients.
• Community-Based Hospice: This rotation includes visits to patients in home and community settings, focusing on comprehensive symptom management and community education.
• Palliative Medicine Clinic: Fellows will develop skills in outpatient consultative services while managing their own panel of patients over the course of the fellowship.
• Adult and Pediatric Hematology & Oncology: This combined rotation offers insight into cancer care and treatment, with a specific focus on concurrent palliative methods.
• Geriatrics/Longitudinal Care: Fellows will gain experience with geriatric syndromes and comprehensive management of older adults in community nursing facilities.

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Curriculum and Learning Opportunities

The curriculum emphasizes both clinical acumen and interpersonal skills necessary for the practice of hospice and palliative medicine. Weekly didactic sessions and monthly conferences, including the Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Medicine conference and a Palliative Medicine journal club, foster continual professional development. Furthermore, fellows will undertake a scholarly or quality improvement project, supported by dedicated research staff, which includes biostatisticians and media specialists.

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Faculty and Mentorship

The program boasts a diverse faculty of board-certified professionals from various medical backgrounds, including family medicine, geriatrics, and internal medicine. Each faculty member is committed to providing personalized mentorship to fellows, ensuring that their learning needs and professional goals are met effectively. Close collaboration occurs within the interdisciplinary teams that make up the palliative care divisions.

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Research Opportunities

Research plays a vital role in the overall educational experience of fellows. During the program, fellows are expected to complete at least one academic project and have opportunities to participate in quality improvement initiatives, thus contributing to the advancement of hospice and palliative care practices.

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Benefits Offered

The fellowship program provides substantial benefits to support fellows during their training, including paid medical premiums, funding for educational and wellness expenses, and a meal stipend. A focus on wellness is integrated into the fellowship experience, allowing fellows to balance their personal health with professional development.

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Application Process and Competitiveness

Applications for the fellowship are accepted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Candidates must submit a complete application that includes an ECFMG certificate, personal statement, three letters of support, and transcripts from USMLE (steps 1, 2, and 3). The program is open to both H1B and J1 visa applicants, facilitating participation from international medical graduates.

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Housing and Community

Fellows are provided with housing options that promote a supportive and collegial living environment, situated close to the Gundersen medical center. The La Crosse area is renowned for its vibrant community, outdoor recreational opportunities, and cultural experiences, enabling fellows to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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