Kern Medical Center Program

Welcome to the Primary Care Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program at Kern Medical. This program is primarily based at Kern Medical, an acute care teaching hospital in Bakersfield, California, with a strong history of training healthcare professionals since 1934. The fellowship aims to equip physicians with the knowledge to evaluate and manage a wide array of challenges in addiction medicine, covering substance, alcohol, and behavioral addictions across all age groups 1.

The Kern Medical Addiction Medicine Fellowship is a one-year comprehensive program where Fellows will engage in diverse clinical settings. The fellowship includes rotations through various locations such as the Kern Medical inpatient consult service, outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinics, correctional medicine facilities, and shelters, thus providing full-spectrum training in addiction medicine 1.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum is designed to provide in-depth exposure to several facets of addiction medicine. Fellows will spend time in diverse settings like Aegis Treatment Centers and Kern Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, allowing them to witness firsthand the community challenges related to addiction 1. The faculty-to-Fellow ratio ensures a strong mentoring environment characterized by camaraderie and teamwork, pivotal for effective learning and professional growth.

Research Opportunities

During the fellowship, there is an emphasis on scholarly activities, including clinical or observational research. These activities are intended for presentation at local, regional, or even international meetings, thereby enriching the fellows’ academic profile and research experience 1.

Faculty and Supervision

The primary faculty of the addiction medicine program comprises experienced clinician-educators, all board-certified in addiction medicine and holding academic appointments at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Their expertise ensures that the training provided is grounded in current medical knowledge and best practices 1.

Benefits and Compensation

The Kern Medical Addiction Medicine Fellowship program offers a competitive salary along with comprehensive benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance, liability insurance, educational allowance, and four weeks of vacation. Additional benefits include sick leave, wellness days off, deferred compensation options, and a meal allowance, making it an attractive option for dedicated professionals 2.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must have completed training in an ACGME-approved residency program and be board-eligible or board-certified in either Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, or Obstetrics and Gynecology. Candidates must possess or be eligible for a California Medical License and a DEA number. The fellowship is open to a diverse applicant pool, including U.S. graduate and international medical graduate applicants, making it relatively competitive but welcoming to qualified candidates 1 4.

Visa Support

Kern Medical provides visa sponsorship for eligible international applicants. The program typically sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas, thereby accommodating international applicants aspiring to train in addiction medicine within the United States. This makes the fellowship a practical choice for diverse healthcare professionals 4.

Living in Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield is known for its affordability, providing a relatively lower cost of living compared to other California cities, which allows fellows to enjoy a higher quality of living. The city’s strategic location offers easy access to larger urban centers like Los Angeles, as well as outdoor recreational opportunities in nearby natural parks such as the Sequoia National Forest. Furthermore, the city is known for its community events, cultural heritage, and a sense of local engagement, making it an appealing place for residents 4.