University of California (Irvine) Program

The UCI Pain Medicine Fellowship is an ACGME-accredited program that offers a comprehensive training experience in multidisciplinary pain assessment and treatment. As the only academic pain medicine program in Orange County, the fellowship focuses on advanced interventional techniques and safe opioid prescribing practices. The structure of the fellowship includes three ACGME-accredited positions for one year, emphasizing solid mentorship and collaboration with expert staff.

Program Overview and Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide fellows with a strong foundation in evidence-based scientific principles alongside exceptional bedside clinical skills. A rigorous, structured curriculum prepares fellows for board certification and their future careers. Rotations encompass various specialties, including anesthesiology, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, medicine, neuroradiology, palliative care, and psychiatry, ensuring a well-rounded training experience.1

Fellows will partake in workshops focused on ultrasound-guided regional blocks and interventional pain procedures, as well as simulated surgical skills training. The program integrates additional hands-on education through invited guest faculty who contribute to interactive sessions covering a vast array of relevant medical disciplines.1

Fellows are encouraged to manage inpatient chronic pain consultations while also engaging in internal moonlighting for anesthesiology. This dual role helps produce clinicians comfortable in practice settings and ready for complex patient management.1

Clinical Experience

Fellowship training is conducted at the UCI Health Center for Pain & Wellness and UCI Medical Center, giving ample access to diverse patient populations and advanced procedural facilities. Fellows are involved in managing acute postoperative and severe chronic pain cases, performing a range of interventional pain procedures including sympathetic injections, radiofrequency ablation, and various injection techniques.1

Moreover, the program emphasizes multidisciplinary team collaboration, as fellows will interface with primary care doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and therapists to create comprehensive surgical pain management plans.1

Research Opportunities

The UCI Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care research division fosters a rich environment for scholarly activity. The fellowship offers numerous basic science and clinical research opportunities, particularly in emerging and controversial areas such as cannabis research and pediatric pain management initiatives. Fellows are supported in attending national conferences to present their research, further enriching their academic experience.1

Application Requirements

Applicants interested in joining the UCI Pain Medicine Fellowship must possess a valid and unrestricted medical license. Clinicians holding a residency in any discipline offering ABMS certification in pain medicine can apply. The fellowship program adheres to a nationwide best practice for easing the transition from residency to fellowship, aligning with an August 1 start date.1

The program does not allow for multiple failed attempts on the USMLE examinations, maintaining a competitive selection process.1

Visa Support

The fellowship also offers visa sponsorship for eligible international medical graduates. The specific visa types may include J-1 for exchange visitors, as well as H-1B for specialty occupation workers, contingent upon the respective suitability and compliance with requirements set by the program and the American Medical Association.1

Competitiveness and Inclusivity

The fellowship is highly competitive, aiming to attract a diverse group of applicants seeking to further their education and experience in pain medicine. The program is favorable towards a range of educational backgrounds, thus welcoming candidates from both osteopathic (DO) and international medical graduate (IMG) populations.1

In addition to strong clinical training, the fellowship emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within its framework, aiming to reflect the diverse communities in which its residents will practice.1

Fellows not only receive training in clinical skills but also benefit from mentorship opportunities tailored to foster leadership skills in addressing contemporary challenges in pain management.1