Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Rochester) Program

Mayo Clinic offers a comprehensive 24-month Clinical Informatics Fellowship, primarily situated at its Rochester, Minnesota campus. The program is designed to prepare physicians to assume leadership roles, particularly as chief medical informatics officers. The mission of the fellowship is to cultivate top-tier professionals in clinical informatics through a competitive selection process and a broad educational framework that prioritizes lifelong learning and continuous quality improvement.

The Clinical Informatics Fellowship builds on Mayo Clinic's long-standing commitment to clinical information management, dating back to the invention of the modern medical record system by Dr. Henry S. Plummer in 1907. Since then, the institution has established one of the most extensive information technology support systems in healthcare, granting fellows an unparalleled opportunity to excel in this evolving field of clinical informatics.

Accreditation and Certification

This fellowship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and certificate eligibility is provided upon completion, allowing fellows to take the subspecialty examination in clinical informatics conducted by the American Board of Pathology.

Program Structure

The Clinical Informatics Fellowship commenced in 2018, and it typically admits one fellow annually. Notably, the fellowship has the flexibility to be pursued alongside other pathology subspecialty fellowships, facilitating broader training opportunities.

Application Process

Applications for the fellowship are accepted on a competitive basis. Individuals interested in applying must have completed three years of postgraduate training in an ACGME-accredited program and must have substantial computer science experience prior to their application. Applications are submitted online through a third-party service, with a strict deadline on September 1 of the preceding year. It is important to note that this fellowship does not participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and follows a coordinated match process conducted in mid-December.

Key application components include the submission of a completed application form, letters of recommendation (a total of three required), and a personal interview invitation for qualified candidates.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum consists of structured rotations divided into four-week blocks. Typical rotations include:

• Orientation: Covering introductory logistics, institutional training, and resources.
• Leadership and Management: Focused on developing critical leadership and systems-based practice skills, integral for all trainees.
• Information Fundamentals: Introducing core terminology, concepts, and skills pertinent to clinical informatics.
• Information Systems I & II: Deep exploration of information life cycles, usability assessment, budgeting, integration techniques, and team dynamics.
• Clinical Decision Making and Care Process Improvement: Instilling principles of clinical decision support alongside quality improvement engagements.
• Informatics Directorship: Fellows assume leadership roles, working on research projects and consultations.

Didactic training is also provided, enriched by contributions from a multidisciplinary faculty team covering all aspects of informatics education.

Research and Teaching Opportunities

Mayo Clinic allocates ample resources for research in clinical informatics, encouraging fellows to engage in at least one peer-reviewed publication and a national presentation during their training. Additionally, fellows can contribute towards the education of pathology residents and provide formal lectures to a broader medical audience.

Evaluation and Mentorship

The program emphasizes rigorous evaluation by supervising faculty to track fellow progress. This includes monitoring competencies such as patient care, medical knowledge, and interpersonal skills. Moreover, faculty advisers are assigned to offer academic guidance and support throughout the fellow's training.

Department and Faculty

The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology is one of the largest clinical laboratories globally, employing over 3,200 personnel in 40 specialty labs and performing over 20 million tests annually. Faculty members are recognized leaders in their fields, providing extensive educational opportunities through seminars and interactive lectures by visiting professors. With a distinguished faculty skilled in diverse areas of clinical informatics—such as imaging informatics and health information systems—fellows are well-supported in their learning endeavors.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international medical graduates, sponsoring relevant visa types to facilitate their studies and clinical practice in the U.S.

Competitiveness and Special Requirements

The Clinical Informatics Fellowship is regarded as highly competitive, thus applicants will benefit from a strong academic background and pertinent experiences in informatics. Additionally, all interested candidates should be mindful of the specific requirements, such as the necessity for letters of recommendation and the various competencies evaluated throughout the application and selection process.