University of Colorado Program

Pain Medicine Fellowship Overview

The Pain Medicine Fellowship at the University of Colorado Denver is an American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited program that aims to develop experts in the field of Pain Medicine. It is a joint venture between the Department of Anesthesiology and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The fellowship is designed for candidates interested in a curriculum that encompasses clinical practice, research, and educational components. Each year, two fellows are accepted into the program—one in adult pain management and one focused on pediatric pain medicine.
The fellowship emphasizes professional development through practice-based learning, professionalism, interpersonal communication, and systems-based care practices. During the training, fellows have opportunities to engage with a multitude of integrated disciplines within the realm of pain management, including specialties such as anesthesiology, palliative care, neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, among others. The program provides exposure to a diverse patient population and complex pain syndromes, ensuring fellows can evaluate and manage both straightforward and complicated pain cases effectively. Fellow training occurs primarily at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, along with supplementary training sessions at the Veterans Administration Medical Center of Denver and Children's Hospital Colorado, which is ranked among the top pediatric hospitals in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.1

Curriculum and Rotations

The program features a comprehensive didactic series consisting of weekly lectures, multidisciplinary conferences, and journal reviews. There is also a strong focus on practice management, including instruction on the business aspects of practicing medicine and understanding medical-legal matters associated with pain management. As a regional leader in interventional and surgical pain control techniques, the centers associated with this program handle over 10,000 patient visits annually, conducting more than 5,000 interventional pain procedures. These procedures range widely, including fluoroscopic intervention strategies, ultrasound-guided techniques, chemical neural ablation, spinal cord stimulation implantation, and various types of nerve blocks.1

Application Process

The program requires applicants to provide proof of successful completion of a residency in a relevant specialty, such as anesthesiology or physical medicine and rehabilitation. Candidates demonstrating outstanding academic credentials and an interest in pain management will be favored. Special application considerations may include year of graduation, number of prior residency applications, or other experiences in pain medicine. Individuals with diverse backgrounds, including graduates of osteopathic programs and international medical graduates (IMGs), are encouraged to apply. The fellowship is competitive, but the program welcomes socioeconomically diverse candidates, promoting an inclusive cohort.1

Visa Support

The Pain Medicine Fellowship offers visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates. The program sponsors J-1 visas, which allow foreign physicians to participate in graduate medical education in the United States. This ensures that talented candidates from various countries can join this esteemed training initiative, allowing for a greater exchange of knowledge and cultural experiences within the field of Pain Medicine.1

Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship Overview

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship is another distinguished ACGME accredited program offered at the University of Colorado. This fellowship is designed for individuals who aspire to specialize in anesthesia related to cardiothoracic surgery and provides three fellowship positions annually. The training environment is set against the backdrop of a busy tertiary care center, characterized by high acuity and diverse patient presentations. The program’s faculty to fellow ratio of 12:3 fosters personalized mentorship and support throughout the fellowship.2

Clinical Experience and Rotations

Fellows undergo extensive clinical training primarily at the University of Colorado Hospital, which has undergone significant growth, establishing a 678 licensed bed count, hybrid operating rooms, and specialized units like the cardiothoracic ICU and extensive surgical facilities. The fellowship includes core rotations in the Cardiothoracic OR and ICU, allowing fellows to serve as primary anesthesia providers for complex cardiac and thoracic surgeries including heart and lung transplantation as well as advanced procedures involving cardiopulmonary bypass techniques. Elective rotations empower fellows to explore specialized fields tailored to their career aspirations.2

Application Process and Requirements

The program mandates candidates to possess prior completion of an ACGME accredited residency, with application submissions channeled through the San Francisco Match system. Specific eligibility criteria include the medical licensure, completion of relevant training, and a proficient command of spoken and written English. The program seeks candidates with a commitment to a career in academic medicine, supported by benchmarks that include necessary research involvement and leadership experiences in perioperative safety.2

Visa Sponsorship

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship accommodates international applicants by sponsoring J-1 visas, facilitating the entry of international medical graduates into the training program. This aspect enriches the program’s diversity while fostering unique professional and cultural exchanges.2

Combined Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine Track

The Combined Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Track is a unique training program merging residency in Anesthesiology with fellowship in Critical Care Medicine. This program allows just two candidates annually to complete integrated training in both tracks over a five-year period. This approach offers a systematic progression through pediatric and adult critical care alongside anesthetic management to enhance the fellow's abilities for a cohesive, dual-system practice approach.4

Application Process

Interested candidates need to apply through the specialized application processes, including any additional supporting applications tailored toward critical care medicine. The program advocates that candidates aim for an academic career in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.4

Final Notes

The Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine Fellowship is designed to provide solid foundations for those intending to excel in multidisciplinary critical care teams. The fellowship emphasizes academic productivity, patient safety initiatives, and quality improvement, aligning with the overall vision of the program to produce future leaders in anesthesiology and critical care disciplines.
Graduates of these fellowships have demonstrated success in achieving board certification in their respective fields, showcasing the robust training received during their fellowship years.8

These fellowship programs at the University of Colorado emphasize high-quality education, mentorship, and supportive networks, preparing candidates for distinguished careers in both research and clinical practice across the spectrum of anesthesiology and critical care medicine.