NYU Grossman School of Medicine Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at NYU Grossman School of Medicine is a comprehensive, year-long program designed to train physicians in delivering compassionate care to patients facing serious illnesses. Sponsored through NYU Langone's Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and emphasizes holistic patient assessments along with familial support.

Fellows receive in-depth training across core domains essential to hospice and palliative medicine. This includes pain and symptom management, effective prognostication, communication strategies, and psychosocial and spiritual care. Training is structured to integrate fellows into interdisciplinary teams composed of physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains. These collaborative efforts are critical to fostering a comprehensive approach to patient-centered care related to serious illness events 1.

Clinical Training

Clinical rotations are a major component of the fellowship, providing exposure to a diverse patient population across various healthcare settings. This multifaceted clinical experience allows fellows to gain insights into social determinants of health and navigate complex cultural and ethical issues encountered in the care of patients with serious illnesses. The fellowship offers rotations in palliative care consultation, inpatient and outpatient clinics, long-term care, and hospice environments. Additional specialized opportunities include addiction medicine, interventional pain management, pediatric palliative care, and geriatric-focused palliative care 1.

Training Sites

Training occurs at several esteemed institutions including NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Tisch Hospital, Kimmel Pavilion, and the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System. Further training sites include the St. Albans Community Living Center and Perlmutter Cancer Center, providing fellows with a comprehensive clinical exposure necessary for their development 1.

Didactic Training

The program includes rigorous didactic training essential for the development of clinical skills. Fellows participate in Grand Rounds, case conferences, journal clubs, and self-care debriefing sessions, alongside a structured series of core curriculum lectures focusing on specialized palliative care topics as well as ethics 1. This educational framework is designed to equip fellows with the knowledge required for effective clinical practice.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are required to undertake a quality improvement project during their fellowship year. This project should culminate in a presentation or publication prior to graduation, with faculty support. They are also encouraged to attend regional and national conferences, such as the annual meetings of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, where funding for travel is provided 1.

Eligibility Requirements

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship is open to candidates who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in one of the designated primary specialties including internal medicine, family medicine, and neurology, among others. NYU Langone offers J-1 visa sponsorship but does not support H-1B visa applications. All fellows must acquire New York State medical licenses prior to starting the fellowship 1.

Application Process

The fellowship accepts four fellows annually, with applications processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The application cycle begins in early June, and reviews commence in mid-July. Candidates are evaluated based on preparedness, academic credentials, and personal attributes such as communication skills and motivation. The selection process is inclusive and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds 1.

Competitiveness

The program is known to be competitive and actively welcomes applications from residents in primary specialties, including those from osteopathic backgrounds and international medical graduates (IMGs). The inclusion of a robust interdisciplinary teaching model and the focus on diverse clinical environments makes it attractive to potential applicants 1.