UMass Chan - Baystate Program

The Pain Medicine Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School - Baystate offers an intense 12-month ACGME-accredited training program at Baystate Medical Center, specifically designed to equip fellows with a vast experience in the evaluation and treatment of patients grappling with acute, chronic, and cancer-related pain. The fellowship encompasses three positions, ensuring fellows receive a personalized training experience within a high-volume clinical setting.

This program is distinguished by its multidisciplinary approach, facilitating cooperation and learning alongside specialists from various fields including anesthesiology, oncology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. The Pain Management Center at Baystate is recognized as the most active pain management center in western Massachusetts, handling over 13,000 outpatient visits and performing more than 5,000 interventional procedures annually, which is indicative of the diverse cases fellows will encounter throughout their training experience 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum is structured to provide comprehensive training in different aspects of pain management. Fellows will engage in various components including:

• Interventional Pain Management: Emphasizing fluoroscopic-guided procedures, fellows become proficient in interventional injections that include somatic and sympathetic blocks, neurolytic blocks, spinal cord stimulator trials, and implants. The volume of procedures performed annually allows for substantial hands-on training, preparing fellows to lead pain management groups.
• Chronic Pain Management: Fellows will work directly with attending physicians to address a wide spectrum of pain conditions, focusing on multidisciplinary consultation services, diagnosis formulation, and cost-effective treatment plans.
• Acute Pain Management: The program teaches fellows how to effectively manage postoperative pain services and the utilization of intraspinal opioids and local anesthetics.
• Elective Rotations: Opportunities for additional learning are available through various electives including rotations in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Radiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. The program remains flexible to adapt and add new rotations based on fellow feedback while meeting educational goals.

Currently, fellows do not take overnight calls, allowing for a manageable schedule focused on quality training and learning 2.

Conferences and Academic Development

Fellows attend a multitude of conferences designed to bolster their academic foundations. These include:

• Weekly Pain Medicine Didactic Lecture Series
• Monthly Inter-disciplinary conferences
• Journal Club sessions
• Bi-Monthly Pain Management M&M Conferences
• Quarterly Quality Improvement Chart Reviews
• Participation in Grand Rounds

The program promotes an environment of continuous learning through these academic discussions and comprehensive educational activities 3.

Application Requirements

Prospective applicants are required to submit the following documentation:

• Application via ERAS
• Personal statement detailing career goals
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from a current or former program director
• Curriculum Vitae
• Official medical school transcripts and USMLE transcripts
• ECFMG certificate if applicable
• A letter from the Residency Program Director confirming completion of an ACGME approved residency in Anesthesiology

It is important to note that candidates must be authorized to work full-time in the United States or be eligible for the J1 Visa via the ECFMG. This ensures that international medical graduates have the opportunity to participate in the fellowship 4.

Competitiveness and Visa Support

The fellowship is highly competitive given the limited number of positions available (three), alongside the broad-based clinical experience it offers. The program values diversity and is friendly towards both DO and IMG applicants, promoting inclusive access to training opportunities. As part of their commitment to supporting international medical graduates, the program sponsors J1 visas, thereby facilitating the participation of qualified fellows from abroad 5.

Salaries and Benefits

Fellows enjoy a range of benefits including:

• Competitive salary positioned in the 75th percentile nationally
• Comprehensive insurance packages
• Four weeks of vacation annually, plus one week for educational conferences
• Access to a dedicated office space
• Robust electronic medical records for efficient clinical practice

This supportive infrastructure allows fellows to focus on academic and clinical excellence while maintaining a work-life balance 6.

Faculty and Mentorship

The Pain Medicine Fellowship is led by a skilled team of faculty with extensive backgrounds in pain management. The program director and faculty members are committed to providing a rich educational experience and mentoring fellows throughout their training. With a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging talent, fellows benefit significantly from their collective expertise and experiences 7.