Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University Health Program

The Brown Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship is a one-year ACGME accredited program designed to produce leaders in the field of hospice and palliative care. Established in 2012, the program accepts three fellows each year through the Match. The primary training sites include Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital in Providence, which serve as the main teaching hospitals for the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Additionally, hospice training is conducted at HopeHealth, a not-for-profit hospice and palliative care organization recognized as the second oldest hospice in the nation.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum is clinically intensive and consists of direct patient care through various rotations across multiple settings. The core rotations include:

• Ambulatory Palliative Care: 0.5 days per week for 11 months at Rhode Island Hospital's Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• Inpatient Palliative Care: 7 months with responsibilities shared between Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals.
• Pediatric Palliative Care: 2 weeks at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
• Hospice Training: 3 months spent in diverse hospice settings.
• Flex Time: 3 weeks for electives tailored to individual interests, which may include international electives.
• Research: 4 weeks dedicated to completing a research project, submitting proposals and papers for publication.

Fellows will receive comprehensive clinical exposure during this year, which integrates evidence-based practice with compassionate care.

Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of the fellowship is to cultivate specialists who can deliver top-tier clinical care to seriously ill patients. Fellows are expected to:

• Provide expert clinical support in various settings including hospital, home, and hospice care.
• Understand complex healthcare delivery systems that affect terminally ill patients.
• Engage in teaching and curriculum development relevant to palliative care.
• Participate in research, contributing to the field through presentations and publications.

Research and Scholarly Engagement

Research is an essential component of the fellowship. Structured didactics and mentorship will guide fellows through research project development. Dedicated research time allows fellows to pursue individual or collaborative projects, equipping them with skills to navigate basic, clinical, or health services investigations. Fellows are encouraged to submit their work to conferences including the AAHPM annual conference.

Training Sites

In addition to Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, the fellowship includes training at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center and Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Research opportunities extend to the Providence VA Medical Center, offering a comprehensive training experience.

Competitiveness of the Fellowship

The fellowship is competitive in its selection process, encouraging applications from candidates who have completed or are completing an accredited residency program and are board certified or board eligible in their respective fields. It is friendly toward DO and IMG candidates, promoting diversity in applications. Requisite materials include a CV, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and USMLE transcripts.

Visa Sponsorship

The program offers visa support, accepting J-1 visa applicants. In specific cases, it may also sponsor H-1B visas for qualified international candidates already holding such visas.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

The fellowship emphasizes equity and diversity within its training environment. There is a commitment to fostering an inclusive atmosphere where all fellows feel valued and supported in their roles.

Conclusion

The Brown Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship positions fellows to excel in a challenging, fulfilling, and supportive environment that recognizes the diverse needs of patients and aims for continual growth in hospice and palliative care.