Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) is a unique program designed for individuals seeking advanced training in the compassionate care of patients with serious illnesses. The program is housed within the Supportive Care Service in the Department of Medicine and boasts accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The fellowship enrolls six physician fellows annually, providing them with extensive training alongside peers from the Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care.

Eligibility for the fellowship requires candidates to have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in specialties such as internal medicine, family medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry, neurology, anesthesiology, surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, radiology, or obstetrics and gynecology. This diverse background among participants fosters a multidisciplinary approach to palliative care, enriching the fellows' learning experiences.

Mission and Vision

The fellowship's mission is to equip compassionate, collaborative, and scientifically driven physicians with the knowledge and skills required to excel as specialists and academic leaders in the field of palliative care. Memorial Sloan Kettering has a longstanding history of leadership in palliative care, dating back to the 1980s, and continues to integrate extensive clinical service, training, and research efforts in both hospital and outpatient settings. This experience forms the backbone of a comprehensive training program.

Training and Curriculum

Fellows engage in a broad range of clinical rotations that provide exposure to varying aspects of palliative care. The core experience is delivered through the Inpatient Consult Service, where fellows collaborate with a multidisciplinary team that includes doctors, advanced practice providers, social workers, chaplains, and palliative-care-trained pharmacists. This structure ensures fellows encounter significant clinical acuity and complexity in symptom management and communication skills.

Other rotation experiences include a robust ambulatory practice, pediatric palliative care, and hospice settings through partnerships with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and Calvary Hospital. There is also an opportunity to spend four weeks at the Palliative Care Service at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, gaining insights into managing palliative care needs beyond oncology.

Academic and Professional Development

The fellowship implements an engaging curriculum schedule, highlighted by weekly Academic Mornings that focus on professional development, interactive learning, and complex clinical case discussions. These sessions allow fellows to delve deeply into symptom management, pharmacology, communication skills, care coordination, and psychosocial support with a focus on evidence-based practices. The curriculum also includes the renowned ComSkil program, which enhances fellows' communication abilities in crucial patient interactions.

Additional learning opportunities are facilitated through interactive case discussions, workshops on resiliency and well-being, narrative medicine series, and Existential Rounds—weekly forums allowing fellows to reflect on challenges and share successes.

Research Opportunities

Fellow scholarly activities are essential for professional growth and include submissions for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) abstracts, case presentations, and participation in journal clubs and ethics forums. Moreover, there are provisions for conducting quality improvement projects and collaborating with faculty on ongoing research initiatives.

One of the standout opportunities offered by the program is the option to advance into the Frances Young Tang Research Fellowship following completion of general fellowship training. This program allows fellows to build research expertise, design studies, and publish findings effectively.

Application Process

Applications for the fellowship are initiated through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) during the July cycle, with interviews conducted from late August through October. The program necessitates the submission of three letters of recommendation (one from the residency program director), a personal statement, and USMLE or ECFMG test scores. The review process follows standard matching protocols.

Visa Support

The fellowship program offers assistance for international medical graduates, enabling their participation under an appropriate visa status. The program can support visa applications, including J-1 and H-1B visas, facilitating the experience of international graduates.

Competitiveness and Special Requirements

The program is known for being competitive, aiming to attract highly qualified candidates from various medical backgrounds. All candidates must have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited residency, ensuring a robust foundation for their training. Special application requirements include a focus on the importance of clinical performance, especially on international board scores.