University of Cincinnati Medical Center/College of Medicine Program

The Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and the Cincinnati VA Medical Center offers a comprehensive program aimed at producing skilled and knowledgeable leaders in addiction medicine. The program is designed for individuals looking to specialize in the treatment of substance use disorders within a multidisciplinary framework.

Program Overview

The Addiction Medicine Fellowship is accredited by ACGME, with the inaugural class set to begin in July 2025. The fellowship provides training across diverse clinical settings, which allows fellows to gain significant experience in managing patients with substance use disorders effectively. Throughout the year, fellows will have opportunities to complete clinical rotations that ensure exposure to a broad spectrum of patient demographics and severity of conditions, supporting a robust educational experience in addiction medicine 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to provide comprehensive training through a combination of clinical rotations, didactics, and research opportunities. The fellowship comprises a 12-month clinical year.

Clinical Rotations

Fellows will participate in various clinical rotations, including:

• Addiction Consult Service: Fellows will spend approximately 4.5 months in the inpatient addiction consult service at UC Medical Center.
• Outpatient Addiction Sciences Division: In this clinic, fellows will manage a panel of patients longitudinally, gaining expertise in treatment modalities.
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center: Rotations include dual-diagnosis care, contingency management clinics, and medically supervised withdrawal management.
• Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment: Fellows will engage in treating adolescents with substance use disorders, providing care in a family-centered environment.

This comprehensive exposure is designed to develop a well-rounded skill set in managing substance use disorders in various populations 4.

Didactic Learning

Weekly didactic sessions will cover various topics, ensuring fellows engage with evidence-based practices, emerging research, and key therapeutic modalities relevant to addiction medicine. These sessions will be integrated with practical learning experienced through rotations.

Scholarly Activities

Fellows are required to engage in scholarly activities, such as completing a quality improvement project, participating in clinical case conferences, and presenting at the Addiction Sciences Journal Club. These activities foster research literacy and promote collaborative learning among fellows and faculty members 5.

Research Opportunities

The Center for Addiction Research (CAR) at the University of Cincinnati supports a vibrant research environment focused on various aspects of substance use disorders. Opportunities exist for fellows to participate in significant research initiatives and collaborate with faculty members on clinical trials and studies aimed at advancing addiction treatment and understanding addiction's psychological and biological underpinnings 3.

Training Sites

The fellowship is conducted primarily at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, which provides a robust clinical environment for the management of substance use disorders. This site includes a dedicated addiction care line with specialized teams and services, offering a comprehensive array of addiction interventions, including inpatient, outpatient, and intensive outpatient programs 6.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for international medical graduates. Commonly supported visa types include J-1 and H-1B visas. This provides a pathway for eligible candidates to join the fellowship, enhancing the program’s diversity and the opportunities for learning within a multicultural environment.

Competitiveness

The Addiction Medicine Fellowship is considered competitive. The program aims to attract candidates with diverse backgrounds, including those from DO and IMG communities. The selection criteria focus not only on academic performance but also on the applicant's dedication to public health, community engagement, and holistic approaches to patient care 2.

Application Requirements

Applicants are expected to apply through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Specific eligibility requirements may include a graduation year restriction and a limit on the number of failed STEP exams. Future applicants should inquire directly with the fellowship program coordinator for the most updated requirements.