St Elizabeth Medical Center Program

Overview of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) Fellowship at St. Elizabeth Healthcare is designed to prepare physicians to provide comprehensive care for patients with advanced illnesses. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure holistic treatment encompassing medical, psychosocial, and spiritual dimensions. Fellows engage in a range of clinical settings, primarily focused on symptom management and quality of life improvement for patients and their families.

Curriculum

The fellowship features a well-structured curriculum that incorporates diverse clinical experiences. Key components include:

• Inpatient Palliative Care Consult Service – 20 weeks
• Inpatient Hospice – 10 weeks
• Pediatric Palliative Care – 2 weeks
• Palliative Care Ambulatory Clinic (Longitudinal Experience) – ½-day weekly
• Palliative Care and Hospice Home-Based – 8 weeks
• Long Term Care – 4 weeks
• Electives – 4 weeks in specialties such as oncology, radiation oncology, cardiology, and interventional radiology

Fellows also participate in Wednesday morning didactics alongside fellows from pediatric and adult palliative medicine specialties from other institutions.

Training Locations

Training for the fellowship occurs across multiple settings, which helps fellows gain extensive exposure to various care models:

• St. Elizabeth Hospice – Edgewood
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital
• St. Elizabeth Hospital – Edgewood
• St. Elizabeth Hospital – Florence
• St. Elizabeth Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility – Ft. Thomas
• St. Elizabeth Cancer Center & Palliative Care Clinic – Edgewood

These facilities are strategically located just minutes from downtown Cincinnati and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, enhancing accessibility to diverse patient populations.

Eligibility and Application Process

Applicants to the fellowship program must have completed a residency program accredited by the ACGME in fields such as Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Neurology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, or Anesthesiology. Additionally, those who have completed Oncology or Geriatric Fellowships are also eligible to apply. It is important for candidates to demonstrate a strong motivation for pursuing a career in palliative medicine.

Specific application requirements include successfully completing all parts of the USMLE within three attempts. The program values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Competitiveness and Visa Support

The fellowship is competitive, yet welcoming to a range of applicants, including those from DO and IMG backgrounds. Fellow candidates should be highly enthusiastic and show a keen interest in academic inquiry within the field. The program may support visa applications, typically sponsoring J-1 visas, which is vital for international medical graduates wishing to enroll.

Benefits and Support

The fellowship offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes competitive medical benefits, meals during duty hours, and free parking across all training sites. There is also an added weekly dinner for family members, further reflecting the program's supportive environment.

Conclusion of Fellowship Experience

After completing the 12-month fellowship, graduates are prepared to take the HPM board examination and pursue leadership roles in various palliative care settings, including inpatient, outpatient, or community hospice programs.