Lehigh Valley Health Network Program

At Lehigh Valley Health Network's Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, fellows gain invaluable experience and knowledge in a vibrant, team-oriented environment dedicated to excellence in palliative care. The program fosters a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring that each fellow is seen as a vital member of the healthcare team. The fellowship has been recognized with the American Hospital Association's 'Circle of Life' award for its excellence in providing full continuum palliative care services, encompassing both in-person and telemedicine options 1.

The program consists of various clinical settings, including an inpatient consult service across multiple hospitals, a nationally recognized home-based service, a growing office-based practice, and a 10-bed inpatient unit dedicated to hospice care. A key feature of this fellowship is the one-year continuity experience in hospice, where fellows serve as medical directors for their own patient cohort, ensuring competency in Medicare hospice regulations 1.

Program Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to be competency-based, blending clinical rotations with various educational activities and experiences. Over the course of the one-year fellowship, fellows undergo: five months of inpatient palliative medicine experience, three months on the inpatient hospice unit, a month on the hematology/oncology service, and two weeks in pediatrics. Additionally, fellows participate in continuity experiences including one month of long-term care and a year dedicated to hospice and home-based palliative care patients. Simulation lab sessions and weekly didactic teachings by multidisciplinary experts supplement the core training activities 4.

Research Opportunities

The fellowship emphasizes scholarly engagement, requiring fellows to partake in research and other scholarly projects. Fellows engage in various formats, such as clinical research, systematic literature reviews, qualitative studies, and autoethnographic work, fostering a culture of inquiry and advancement in the field of hospice and palliative medicine 5.

Application Process

The application process for the fellowship requires candidates to have completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited internal medicine residency and passed all USMLE Steps (I, II, and III). The program offers visa sponsorship through J1 and H1B visa types. Note that observerships or externships are not provided by the program. Applications are accepted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), with a deadline of August 31st 6.

Benefits and Salary

Fellows in the program are entitled to numerous benefits including: 19 vacation days, an American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) membership, $1,500 for continuing medical education, and a HPM Pass. The organizational salary and benefits package also extends to diverse programs offered across the LVHN network 2.

Training Environment and Competitiveness

Lehigh Valley Health Network provides a comprehensive training environment. The densely populated region emphasizes multidisciplinary training approaches and is recognized for its commitment to palliative care. The fellowship programs are highly competitive, welcoming candidates from diverse backgrounds, including international medical graduates and DOs. The program actively seeks to create an inclusive space for all trainees, recognizing the benefits of varied experiences 3.

Living in the Lehigh Valley

The fellowship takes place in the Lehigh Valley, which is known for its fast growth and its proximity to major cities such as Philadelphia and New York City. This area offers a more affordable cost of living compared to surrounding regions, making it an attractive place for fellows to reside during their training 1.