University at Buffalo Program

The University at Buffalo offers a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine that provides comprehensive training through a well-structured curriculum. The program is ACGME accredited and positions its fellows for Certification of Added Qualifications in Palliative Medicine as sanctioned by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Admission into the fellowship requires completion of an ACGME-approved residency in a recognized specialty such as Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Psychiatry, Radiation Oncology, or Surgery. This breadth of qualifying specialties underlines the program’s multidisciplinary approach to palliative care.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum spans one year and features a variety of rotations designed to build practical skills and theoretical knowledge. The fellowship is structured as follows:

• Four months at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Palliative Care Service, an institution noted for its exceptional ratings by the National Cancer Institute. Fellows engage in advanced symptom management and receive training in communication skills from seasoned faculty.
• Three months with the VA Palliative Care Consult Service and Inpatient Palliative Care Unit, where fellows gain experience in collaborative care within the VA system.
• Two months at the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, including in-home visits and participation in the management of patients within the hospice inpatient unit, enhancing experience in multidisciplinary teamwork.
• One month at Erie County Medical Center, focusing on inpatient consultations within a trauma center environment.
• One week with the University of Buffalo Substance Use Disorder Service to empathically care for patients with substance use disorders.
• Fellows are required to maintain continuity of care, seeing at least 25 home care patients throughout the year, logging their visits as part of their training.
• Additional experiences include long-term nursing home visits, collaborative outpatient clinic time, and two-week pediatric rotations with Essential Care.
• Elective time: Two months are allocated for electives in relevant fields such as ethics consultations, geriatric medicine, or research, allowing fellows to tailor their experience according to their interests.

Research Opportunities

Scholarly activity is an integral component of the fellowship. Each fellow is expected to engage in research, which may involve participation in existing projects or developing individual scholarly activities. Opportunities include presenting findings at national meetings or publishing research papers and case studies. A dedicated month for research projects is provided, enabling fellows to focus on their interests.

Training Sites

Training sites associated with the fellowship include:

• VA Western New York Healthcare System
• Center for Hospice & Palliative Care (Hospice Buffalo, Niagara Hospice)
• Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Kaleida Health System
• Erie County Medical Center

Visa Sponsorship

The program offers visa support for international medical graduates. Types of visas that may be sponsored include J-1 and H-1B visas, among others. The program is open to applicants from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a welcoming approach for eligible international candidates.

Application Competitiveness

The fellowship is competitive, aiming to attract high-caliber candidates who have demonstrated excellence in their respective residency programs. The program is friendly to international graduates, including those from DO backgrounds.

Special Application Requirements

While applying, it is essential for candidates to provide evidence of their medical education and residency completion. The program may also have specific considerations, such as limits on failed exams or the acceptable timeframe for graduation from medical school. Attaining required scores in relevant exams may also be a prerequisite.