University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare Program

The University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship is a distinctive program sponsored by the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and HCA Florida Healthcare GME Consortium. This program provides an innovative educational experience across three prominent healthcare systems: The Orlando Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, and VITAS Healthcare. The commitment of the program is to develop clinicians who excel in providing high-quality, compassionate care, especially for underserved populations. The training emphasizes a collaborative approach to treatment, aimed at addressing the complex needs of patients facing life-limiting illnesses 1.

Fellows are trained within a dynamic environment that supports lifelong learning and the sharing of palliative medicine knowledge and skills. The faculty members are highly regarded for their dedication to patient care, professionalism, and their role as mentors, guiding fellows to become exceptional leaders in the field of hospice and palliative medicine 1.

Clinical Rotations

The program includes comprehensive clinical rotations at key sites that provide exposure to a range of palliative care practices. Rotations occur at:

• Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center: This facility serves over 140,000 veterans and offers training in various settings, including acute care, outpatient specialty, mental health, and long-term care. Fellows work closely with care teams to deliver services in diverse areas such as palliative care consult teams and hospice units, focusing on chronic and complex medical conditions 2.
• HCA Florida Osceola Hospital: As a Level II Trauma Center with a rich diversity of patients, this tertiary care teaching hospital enables fellows to engage with a wide variety of clinical cases while collaborating on palliative medicine consult teams 2.
• VITAS Healthcare: The nation’s largest provider of end-of-life care, VITAS offers fellows experience in both inpatient and home hospice care, including a rotation with local pediatric hospice teams, ensuring comprehensive training across age groups 2.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the fellowship is meticulously structured to provide diverse experiences, including acute care, inpatient hospice, ambulatory care, and telemedicine. Rotations are scheduled in 2-to-4-week blocks, ensuring fellows gain maximum exposure and continuity in patient care.

Fellows benefit from dedicated academic afternoons for didactic instruction, which enhance their knowledge across topics relevant to hospice and palliative medicine. This includes areas like ethics, communication skills, and quality improvement projects 3.

Elective Rotations

Fellows are allocated one month for elective rotations, allowing them to tailor their learning experiences in fields such as Geriatric Medicine, Radiation Oncology, and Outpatient Nephrology. This flexibility supports the individual professional goals of each trainee 3.

Applicant Requirements

The program requires applicants to submit forms through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Essential application prerequisites include:

• Completion of a residency in a related field (such as family medicine or internal medicine).
• Passing scores on the Step 1 and Step 2 USMLE or COMLEX exams for D.O. graduates.
• Three letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
• Current medical school transcript and a photograph.

For International Medical Graduates (IMGs), ECFMG certification is required, and the program sponsors J-1 visas, which allows for participation in U.S. medical training 4.

Competitiveness and Inclusivity

The program upholds a strong commitment to inclusivity and supports applications from all qualified candidates, including DO and IMG applicants. The competitive nature of the fellowship necessitates a robust application showcasing clinical expertise and dedication to palliative care 4.

Fellowship Experience and Community

The fellowship is designed not only to cultivate medical expertise but also to promote personal well-being. The program acknowledges the propensity for burnout in high-stress fields like palliative care and offers resources to mitigate this risk through comprehensive mental health support systems 3.

Fellows interact with a diverse interprofessional team, fostering a collaborative learning environment aimed at enhancing communication and patient-centered care planning. Scholarly activities are also encouraged, allowing fellows to engage in projects and present their findings 3.