Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center Program

The Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship Program at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center offers an interdisciplinary approach to managing patients with advanced illness, focusing on relieving suffering and improving the quality of life. The fellowship provides comprehensive postgraduate training in all areas related to hospice and palliative care, which is crucial as the goals of managing advanced illnesses shift towards comfort and quality of life enhancement, especially as disease progresses.1

Lincoln Medical Center holds a significant position within the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, delivering essential palliative care services. For instance, in the year 2022 alone, the center accounted for over 120,000 emergency visits and nearly 20,000 inpatient discharges, highlighting the volume of clinical exposure fellows can expect during their training.1

Curriculum and Rotations

The fellowship lasts one year and includes varied rotations such as:

• Inpatient Consultation Service: Fellows will spend a minimum of six months on the inpatient consultation service, gaining exposure to a diverse patient population. They will deal with a broad spectrum of diagnoses, engaging with multiple specialities including oncology, geriatrics, and neurology, amongst others. This rotation aims to equip fellows with robust consultative skills and the ability to manage complex symptom management situations, including pain and ethical dilemmas.1
• Ambulatory Care: Lincoln has an established Palliative Care Ambulatory clinic that allows fellows to maintain longitudinal patient care, further enhancing skills in managing advanced illnesses within an outpatient context. Consultations managed involve common symptoms necessitating palliative care, offering extensive hands-on experience in outpatient treatment.1
• Long Term Care: Fellows will engage in a one-month rotation at the Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, focusing on pediatric palliative care, where they will learn to navigate the unique challenges posed in this population.1
• Hospice Care: Fellows participate in a home hospice program, performing home visits and facilitating the development of individualized care plans in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.1
• Electives: The program offers various elective rotations in Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Behavioral Health, among others, allowing fellows to tailor aspects of their training according to their particular interests.1

Teaching Methods

Teaching within the program utilizes a patient-centered approach, integrating case discussions and didactic conferences. The fellowship program conducts numerous weekly didactic sessions, including journal clubs, tumor board meetings, self-care rounds, and Medical Grand Rounds, all of which enhance clinical knowledge while providing exposure to expert speakers across multiple disciplines.1

Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to participate in ongoing research and quality improvement projects, fostering a robust academic environment conducive to developing skills in clinical inquiry and evidence-based practice. Through mandatory meetings held quarterly, fellows are expected to engage with research dedicated to improving patient outcomes in palliative care.1

Benefits and Support

The fellowship program provides four weeks of vacation along with a structured educational stipend to support attending professional conferences and activities.1

Visa Support and Competitiveness

Lincoln Medical Center is recognized for being International Medical Graduate (IMG) friendly and provides visa sponsorship, including J-1 and H-1B visas for qualified candidates. However, applicants are highly encouraged to be competitive as the program evaluates a myriad of factors for acceptance into the fellowship, including previous training and clinical experiences.1

Special Application Requirements

Applicants to the fellowship must fulfill certain prerequisites, including possessing an MD or DO degree and having completed an ACGME-accredited residency program in internal medicine or an equivalent. Specific details on application criteria, such as acceptable limits on step exam failures or graduation years, are typically provided through the application packet, underscoring the program's rigor in maintaining training excellence.1