Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship program at Trinity Health Ann Arbor is a structured one-year community-based training program designed to cultivate expertise and leadership in the field of hospice and palliative medicine. This program significantly prioritizes high-quality patient and family care, and aims to prepare fellows to effectively manage patients with serious and life-limiting illnesses, ensuring optimal quality of life and symptom management.

Curriculum Overview

Fellows engage in a variety of clinical rotations across multiple healthcare settings. The program encompasses acute care at Trinity Health Ann Arbor, long-term acute care, medical and radiation oncology, geriatrics in a consult service, outpatient palliative care with both longitudinal and ambulatory experiences, home-based hospice care for adults and children, and community-based palliative care initiatives. Telemedicine is an additional facet of the curriculum that allows fellows to experience modern healthcare delivery methods. Interdisciplinary teamwork is a hallmark of training, allowing fellows to collaborate with various professionals including physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, nurses, pharmacists, and chaplains, thereby enriching their training experience and enhancing patient care.

Educational Goals

The program is committed to excellence in education and aims to foster critical thinking, self-directed learning, and evidence-based practice among its fellows. The curriculum is comprehensive, ensuring fellows not only develop clinical skills but also interpersonal and communication skills that facilitate the establishment of professional relationships. There is a strong emphasis on professionalism, encouraging fellows to maintain the highest ethical standards and demonstrate respect and compassion towards all patients, regardless of background.3

Research Opportunities

The fellowship encourages fellows to engage in research, with the expectation that each will participate in at least one research project. Fellows will present their findings at the Trinity Health Ann Arbor Annual Research Forum, providing an opportunity for scholarly exchange and professional development. Support from the Internal Medicine Research Director is available throughout the research design process.6

Typical Schedule

The fellowship incorporates weekly didactics shared with the Henry Ford Health and Detroit Medical Center-Wayne State University programs. Attendance is prioritized with fellows excused from other duties to engage in these educational sessions. Initial emphasis is placed on core topics of hospice and palliative medicine in the first two months, followed by an expanding curriculum that integrates insights from a diverse faculty across the Metro-Detroit region. Fellow participation is encouraged in the creation of didactic presentations, such as journal clubs and complex case discussions.7

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

A significant aspect of the fellowship is its interdisciplinary team structure. Fellows will work alongside various healthcare professionals, including specialized nurses and social workers, ensuring comprehensive care delivery.5

Application Process and Requirements

Applications for the fellowship are accepted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). To be eligible, applicants must have completed three years of residency training, possess passing scores on the USMLE or COMLEX examinations, and demonstrate a commitment to the field through a personal statement and three letters of recommendation, one of which should come from the Program Director or Department Chair. Interviews are conducted virtually and typically occur from early September to late October.2

Visa Support

The program is open to international medical graduates (IMGs) and provides necessary visa sponsorship. This includes support for J-1 and H-1B visa types, facilitating entry into the United States for qualified candidates.1

Competitiveness and Cohort Size

The fellowship is competitive, accepting two fellows annually and weighing experience, academic performance, and recommendations heavily in the selection process. It is inclusive of both DO and IMG applicants, reflecting a commitment to a diverse applicant pool.4