Lehigh Valley Health Network Program

Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Medical Toxicology Fellowship offers an innovative, fellow-centered training program for individuals seeking to advance their expertise in medical toxicology. This two-year fellowship is designed to provide comprehensive clinical and academic training under the supervision of dedicated faculty members. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and has been operational since July 2018.

The fellowship is primarily based at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, a tertiary care, Level I Trauma Center. This institution features the region's only burn center and pediatric emergency department, providing fellows with a diverse range of clinical exposures. Consultations are performed not only on-site but also at LVH–Muhlenberg and across numerous LVHN hospitals through telemedicine, enabling fellows to engage with a variety of patient populations across the region as cited in 1.

Fellowship Training Opportunities

The fellowship curriculum encompasses various opportunities, including managing acutely ill patients suffering from occupational and environmental exposures, substance use conditions, and poisoning incidents. Fellows will develop expertise in addiction treatment and education, collaborating with students and residents in delivering bedside and didactic teaching. This multidisciplinary interaction fosters a collaborative learning environment, enhancing the educational experience of fellows as noted in 1.

Training Locations

Fellows gain clinical experiences at multiple sites, including LVH–Cedar Crest, LVH–Muhlenberg, and the outpatient toxicology clinic located at LVHN ExpressCARE–Tilghman. This clinic is unique, as it serves as the only outpatient toxicology referral center in northeastern Pennsylvania, focusing on evaluating and managing patients referred from various industrial and medical clinics. Additionally, fellows experience industrial toxicology during a rotation at East Penn Manufacturing, which is the largest single-site lead-acid battery manufacturing facility worldwide, offering a distinctive experience in managing industrial exposures as documented in 1.

Telephone Consultation Training

An essential component of the fellowship is the provision of telephone and telemedicine consultations, a critical skill for modern toxicologists. The program has established a robust practice model that integrates fellows into telephone consultation services across various hospitals, guided by experienced toxicologists. This ensures adequate training in emergency consultative care as emphasized in 1.

Scholarship and Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to engage in scholarly projects, allowing them the freedom to choose topics of interest, whether they pertain to research, protocol development, or quality improvement. This opportunity is critical for fostering innovation within the field of medical toxicology. Participation in academic meetings is encouraged, where fellows can present their scholarly work. Weekly journal clubs and case discussions provide additional forums for fellows to engage in research-related activities and discussions on recent developments in toxicology as noted in 1.

Application Requirements

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must be board-certified or board-eligible and have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited residency in Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or Preventative Medicine. While clinical experience in the U.S. is not mandated, completing an ACGME-approved residency is essential. All applicants are required to submit application materials through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) as stated in 2.

Visa Support

Currently, the program does not sponsor visas for international medical graduates, limiting applications from individuals requiring such support to U.S. citizens or those with valid residency status. Applicants should have completed relevant residency programs as mentioned before to qualify for fellowship consideration, and no specific visa types are supported.4

Fellowship Benefits

Fellows enjoy various program-specific benefits in addition to overall salary and GME-wide benefits. These include coverage for memberships in professional organizations such as AOA, ACEP, ACOEP, and ACMT. The program focuses on providing support and opportunities conducive to building a fulfilling career in medical toxicology as highlighted in 3.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum includes extensive clinical responsibilities, with fellows participating in consultations and daily rounds across LVHN’s campuses. Core lectures are provided in the early phase to ensure that fellows develop a solid foundation in pharmacology, physiology, and other essential topics in toxicology. Teaching opportunities are abundant, allowing fellows to refine their lecturing and educational skills while engaging with medical students and residents as part of their training regimen as discussed in 6.

Application Process

Applications are typically processed on a rolling basis. Candidates interested in elective rotations should also submit requests through the appropriate channels and meet specific prerequisites, including maintaining good academic standing and having the necessary insurance coverage. Housing options are available to ensure fellows have access to accommodations during their training periods as mentioned in 5.

Life in Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley area is renowned for its growing economy and relatively lower cost of living, providing a robust community life. Located just 60 miles from Philadelphia and 80 miles from New York City, fellows can enjoy both urban amenities and suburban living while participating in this fellowship program as touched upon in 1.