McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

Overview of the Fellowship Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University is a comprehensive, ACGME-accredited program established in 1998. The fellowship spans one year and incorporates clinical rotations alongside diverse educational experiences. Each cohort typically includes three fellows who focus on adult palliative care, in addition to one fellow in pediatric palliative care and one in perinatal palliative care. Fellows work in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across several esteemed institutions, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Lurie Children’s Hospital, the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, and Hines VA Medical Center, as well as hospice partners like AccentCare 1.

Curriculum and Educational Experience

The program encompasses five core components integral to the fellows' educational experience. These include:

• A regional fellows’ conference, which is a monthly half-day event that gathers physicians from all Chicago-area palliative care fellowships.
• A weekly fellows’ conference where clinical topics, case discussions, journal clubs, and reflective readings are the focus.
• A palliative care and hematology-oncology conference during the summer that emphasizes supportive oncology.
• A three-day intensive retreat focused on communication skills training.
• A longitudinal spirituality curriculum to address spiritual needs and aspects of care.

As fellows advance their clinical skills through hands-on participation in interdisciplinary teams, they also engage in self-reflection and collaboration with peers to optimize patient and family outcomes 1.

Clinical Rotations

Fellows engage in a variety of clinical experiences throughout the year, including:

• Four months at the inpatient Palliative Care Service at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
• Two months at the inpatient Palliative Care Service at Jesse Brown VA Hospital.
• Three months in hospice care settings.
• Two weeks in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU).
• Two weeks focused on Pediatric Palliative Care at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
• Four weeks of elective time, which can include experiences at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, interventional pain clinics, spiritual care, psychiatry, and potential international opportunities.
• Two weeks in a Palliative Care outpatient clinic.

The fellowship additionally offers a specialized “Pediatrics Track” in coordination with the Pediatric Palliative Care program at Lurie Children’s, which integrates approximately eight months of pediatric-focused experience with three months of adult palliative care 1.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Scholarly activity is actively encouraged within the fellowship program. Each fellow is allocated a dedicated half day per week for academic pursuits, which includes completing a mentored quality improvement project. Past fellows have undertaken projects that aimed to enhance clinical workflows, integrate functional assessments, and adapt procedures to meet healthcare needs during the pandemic. Fellows are also invited to engage in teaching and broader research initiatives, adding to the depth of their experience and contributing to the academic community 1.

Application Requirements

Prospective candidates are required to have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in a variety of specialties, including Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, Family Medicine, and more. A full, unrestricted Illinois medical license is mandatory, alongside any applicable visa documentation. All applicants are expected to submit:

• A current curriculum vitae.
• A personal statement.
• Official medical school transcripts.
• Letters of recommendation from three faculty, including the residency program director.
• Documentation of examination results and relevant ECFMG materials.

Eligibility for a visa and the potential to work in the U.S. is essential for international medical graduates 1.

Competitive Nature of the Program

The fellowship program is competitive, which reflects its high standards and commitment to attracting well-qualified candidates. It welcomes applications from U.S. Graduates of both MD and DO programs, as well as International Medical Graduates (IMGs), suggesting a supportive environment for diverse applicants, provided they meet the necessary qualifications 1.

Diversity and Inclusion

The program emphasizes its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, recognizing the importance of varied perspectives in addressing complex medical challenges. The Department of Medicine at Northwestern actively seeks to support and cultivate future leaders in medicine through diverse training and research opportunities 1.