Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Fontana) Program

The Kaiser Permanente Fontana Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship program is focused on providing comprehensive training for physicians aiming to specialize in the care of seriously ill patients and their families. This one-year clinical fellowship emphasizes developing leaders capable of working in multidisciplinary teams, utilizing evidence-based palliative practices, and advocating for patient-centered care across various healthcare settings.

The fellowship offers rotations at both the Kaiser Permanente Fontana and Ontario Medical Centers, addressing the palliative care needs of a diverse population across the regions of San Bernardino, eastern Los Angeles, and parts of Riverside County. With an estimated need for palliative services far exceeding available capacity, this program actively seeks to cultivate the next generation of leaders in hospice and palliative medicine to enhance care in these underserved areas 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the fellowship provides extensive clinical training that encompasses the full spectrum of early integrated palliative care. Fellows engage in weekly didactic sessions coordinated with core palliative medicine and geriatric faculty, alongside participation from partner hospice and palliative programs. Opportunities for mock interviews, quality improvement initiatives, and rounds led by established leaders in the field are integral components of the fellowship curriculum 2.

Fellows will spend significant time in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including a continuity day each week at the outpatient palliative clinic. This clinic serves as a critical site where fellows establish early palliative care interventions and manage symptoms for patients with advanced illnesses. In addition, fellows will gain insights into managing cancer-related pain through a dedicated month-long rotation at the City of Hope National Cancer Center 2.

Facility

The Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center is equipped with two campuses. The main campus features a 450-bed hospital and numerous specialty clinics, providing a teaching site not only for palliative medicine but also for family medicine, internal medicine, and psychiatry residents. The medical centers serve a diverse demographic, with significant percentages of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity and many individuals facing socioeconomic challenges. This diversity enriches the fellowship experience as fellows learn to address the complexities of care among varied patient populations 3.

Faculty

The faculty involved in the fellowship comprises experienced professionals from diverse medical backgrounds, dedicated to education and mentorship. Leadership includes the program director and associate program director, along with attending physicians specialized in geriatric medicine and palliative care 4. This collaborative environment encourages fellows to engage deeply with faculty for both clinical and academic growth.

Fellows

Currently, the fellowship program supports fellows in training who are partaking in PGY-4 level training. This framework not only includes intensive clinical experiences but also fosters opportunities to instruct and guide junior residents and medical students. Such exposure significantly enhances fellows' teaching and leadership skills, preparing them for careers in academic medicine or clinical leadership 5.

Visa Sponsorship

The fellowship program provides visa support for international medical graduates. The types of visas generally supported include J-1 and H-1B. This allows a broader range of applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply and enrich the fellowship experience 1.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

The application process is competitive, with a limited number of positions available each year, generally one spot. Important application specifications include a focus on educational background, with a preference for applicants who are recent graduates. Maximum limits are applied for failed Step exams to maintain the program's high standards 1.

Diversity and Community Engagement

The program's commitment to diversity is reflected in its comprehensive training approach and the broad spectrum of patients served. Fellows will engage with various community resources and will have the opportunity to understand the social determinants of health that affect patient care in the outpatient palliative clinic. This engagement with the community is essential for developing empathetic physicians who recognize the importance of cultural competency in medical practice 3.