HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital is an ACGME-accredited one-year training program which aims to equip fellows with the skills necessary to provide exemplary hospice and palliative care across various medical settings. The program emphasizes a comprehensive approach to patient care, where fellows collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to address the multifaceted needs of patients and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

The mission of the program is to foster the development of the next generation of physicians and physician leaders. The program is designed not only to deliver outstanding clinical training but also to maintain a supportive and educational environment where faculty and staff collaborate effectively, championing one another while focusing on the highest quality of patient care. This facilitation of a strong support system encourages fellows to develop both professionally and personally, thus enriching their learning experience.

Program Overview

Fellows in the program will engage in a range of clinical rotations designed to meet all ACGME requirements for hospice and palliative medicine. They will gain hands-on experience while managing a diverse array of clinical challenges, leveraging their knowledge of both basic and clinical sciences to enhance patient care. Interpersonal and communication skills are emphasized to ensure that fellows deliver compassionate care aimed at improving patients' quality of life. The fellowship will also expose fellows to an evidence-based practice approach, maintaining high standards of professionalism while addressing patients' needs at every stage of serious illnesses 1.

Additionally, fellows are required to participate in a quality improvement project, as well as research and scholarly activities. This rigor in both clinical and academic settings is designed to ensure that fellows leave the program well-prepared to tackle the challenges of hospice and palliative medicine.

Curriculum and Rotation Schedule

The carefully structured curriculum includes specialized rotations that give fellows a well-rounded training experience, allowing them to hone their skills in various domains pertinent to hospice and palliative care.

Examples of the rotation schedule include:

• August — Palliative Care / Hospice Unit
• September — Long Term Care
• October — Inpatient Consults
• November — Psychiatry
• December — Inpatient Consults
• January — Hospice Inpatient
• February — Medically Complex Clinic / Pediatric Care
• March — Pain Intervention
• April — Radiation Oncology / Hematology-Oncology
• May — Inpatient Consults
• June — Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic
• July — Inpatient Hospice Unit / Home Visits

This diverse rotation schedule is oriented towards fostering a multifaceted skill set, preparing fellows to interface effectively across various care settings 2.

Faculty

The fellowship program is led by a dedicated and dynamic faculty team. The various faculty members bring a wealth of expertise and commitment to mentorship. Fellows will be deeply engaged in mentorship relationships with faculty, enhancing their clinical training and professional development.3 Faculty collaboration not only enriches the educational process but also fosters a family-like atmosphere that promotes teamwork.

Benefits

Fellows participating in the program are considered valuable hospital employees and thus enjoy a competitive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan, among others. The program also includes specific allowances for conference and travel expenses, educational resources, cell phone stipends, laptops, and preparation expenses for board examinations. Furthermore, each fellow receives three weeks of paid annual leave for vacations and sick days, emphasizing the importance of personal well-being in conjunction with professional responsibilities.

Visa and Application Information

The program welcomes applicants to submit through the ERAS application service, and it is non-discriminatory in evaluating candidates regardless of their background, including DO and IMG applicants. The competitive nature of the program merits appropriate preparation from candidates, who should aim for a strong academic and clinical record. Candidates should also be prepared to engage in interviews and present their qualifications effectively.

Visa sponsorship for eligible candidates is available through J-1 and H-1B visa types, facilitating the participation of international medical graduates in the fellowship program.