UMass Chan Medical School Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School is committed to developing palliative care experts equipped to deliver compassionate, evidence-based, and interdisciplinary care for seriously ill patients and their families. This two-year ACGME-accredited program trains two fellows annually, emphasizing a servant leadership model focused on social justice, teaching, quality improvement, and research to advance the field of palliative care.

Fellows benefit from a rigorous curriculum that encompasses a variety of clinical experiences, integrating both inpatient and outpatient settings. The program’s mentorship framework fosters personal and professional growth while addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering largely encountered in palliative care.

Curriculum and Fellow Experience

The fellowship offers extensive clinical rotations that provide comprehensive exposure to palliative medicine across various healthcare settings such as safety-net hospitals, community hospitals, and home-based care environments, which together maintain around 600 active clinic patients. This structure promotes continuity of care allowing fellows to follow up with patients across different stages of treatment.

The core components of the curriculum include:

• Inpatient Consult Services: Over six months divided between two major campuses, fellows collaborate in complex cases involving advanced therapies and critically ill patients.
• Ambulatory Palliative Care: Fellows manage their own panel of continuity patients, enhancing their clinical skills in an outpatient setting.
• Two Months of Hospice Experience: Direct engagement with patients in home and facility settings is emphasized.
• Pediatric Palliative Care: One month dedicated to pediatric practice in inpatient and outpatient scenarios.
• Long-Term Care: One-month rotation in nursing homes focusing on comprehensive palliative care principles.
• Elective Month: Opportunities to explore specialized areas or to build individual electives related to career goals.
• Scholarly Activity: The program encourages fellows to engage in research or quality improvement projects under guidance, culminating in some form of scholarly presentation.

Research and Faculty Development

Fellows are expected to engage in teaching and research during their fellowship. The curriculum integrates a recognized faculty development program titled Teaching of Tomorrow, fostering skills in teaching, including curriculum design and evaluation, pivotal for those looking toward careers in academic medicine. Additionally, UMass Chan offers opportunities for funding and mentorship in projects that enhance palliative care practices.

Fellowship Goals and Educational Philosophy

With a biopsychosocial-spiritual model of care, the fellowship aims to prepare fellows as competent consultants within interdisciplinary teams. Initial responsibilities will evolve to leadership roles in patient care team settings, further reinforced by teaching opportunities. Overall, the program fosters personal development through hands-on involvement and regular mentoring sessions, ensuring a supportive environment for professional growth and resilience.

Support for Well-being

The program incorporates wellness and mindfulness strategies, ensuring that fellows receive adequate support in managing the emotional and psychological stresses inherent in palliative practice. Regular sessions with health psychologists and social workers are part of the fellowship, reflecting an understanding of the importance of mental health in medical training.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

To apply for this highly competitive program, applicants must have completed an accredited residency and should be board certified or board eligible in areas such as internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, or other relevant fields. The application process requires submission through ERAS and involves a letter of interest, a current CV, three reference letters, and proof of USMLE or COMLEX scores.

This fellowship program is considered DO and IMG friendly, catering to a diverse array of candidates. As part of the application process, attention is given to prior training, the ability to communicate effectively, and the candidate's commitment to palliative care.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship to qualified international candidates, specifically providing support for J-1 and H-1B visas. This initiative reflects the program’s commitment to valuing diverse backgrounds and perspectives within the field of palliative medicine.