New York-Presbyterian/Queens Program

The NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospice and Palliative Medicine Program (HPM) is a comprehensive one-year fellowship designed to cultivate future clinicians in palliative care. The program incorporates a variety of rotations at key institutions, including NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, Calvary Hospital, and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY). An elective rotation in Pain and Palliative Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is also included, ensuring a robust training experience across diverse settings. The program accepts three fellows annually, aiming to develop strong clinician-educators equipped to lead in palliative care.

Program Goals and Educational Philosophy

The primary aim of the HPM Fellowship is to train physician leaders proficient in palliative care, emphasizing academic involvement and clinical excellence. The fellowship excels due to its diverse educational experiences, varied training sites, and collaboration with highly qualified faculty. Fellows engage in an interdisciplinary academic environment, participating in a range of educational programs, including access to foundational lectures, virtual board reviews, and guest speakers from significant institutions.

Clinical Rotations and Training Sites

The fellowship offers unparalleled exposure through clinical rotations in multiple healthcare settings, allowing fellows to develop comprehensive skills in palliative care. Key training locations include:

• NewYork-Presbyterian Queens: A major teaching hospital with a culturally diverse patient demographic, it offers hands-on experience in acute care and palliative care consultations.
• Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY): Provides home hospice experience, allowing fellows to conduct supervised home visits and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children: This facility focuses on pediatric palliative care, providing opportunities to work with children suffering from chronic and developmental conditions.
• Calvary Hospital: Recognized for its acute specialty in palliative care, fellows will be involved with complex inpatient care and symptom management strategies.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC): Elective rotations here allow for exposure to the latest techniques in pain management and supportive care.

Research and Quality Improvement

Fellows are expected to engage actively in research and quality improvement (QI) projects throughout their training. The program encourages the submission of abstracts for presentation at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) meetings or similar conferences. There is a strong emphasis on acquiring skills in Practice-based Learning and Improvement, guiding fellows to analyze practices and implement changes for improved patient outcomes.

Educational Structure and Teaching Responsibilities

The educational structure involves various interactive experiences, including didactics, case conferences, and journal clubs. Weekly didactics sessions cover the core palliative care curriculum while also emphasizing self-care and resilience-building techniques. Fellows play integral roles in teaching internal medicine residents, participating in community outreach, and providing core lectures on hospice and palliative medicine under faculty supervision.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The HPM fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens is considered competitive, particularly for those holding MD degrees. The program is open to diverse candidates, including those from DO and IMG backgrounds. Candidates must apply through ERAS and may need to meet specific criteria that can include graduation timeline or limitations on failed STEP exams.

Visa Support

The program sponsors J-1 Visa and H-1B Visa types for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking fellowship opportunities. This dedication to diversity not only enriches the learning environment but also aims to represent various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds within the fellowship.

Salary and Benefits

Fellows are provided competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, aligning with the standards upheld by NewYork-Presbyterian Health System.

Overall, the NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship offers a well-rounded experience with robust training and numerous opportunities for research, teaching, and professional growth in an enriching learning environment.