University of Louisville School of Medicine Program

Program Overview

The Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of Louisville emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to training in sleep medicine. This 12-month fellowship is structured to encompass essential rotations in adult sleep, pediatric sleep, and dedicated research, accompanied by elective opportunities in pulmonary medicine, psychiatry, neurology, and sleep dentistry. The fellowship aims to provide comprehensive exposure across various facets of sleep medicine, ensuring fellows receive a well-rounded education.

Fellows engage in a weekly training schedule designed to optimize exposure, with dedicated half-days in neurology (EEG), psychiatry (CBT), and pediatrics throughout the adult sleep rotations. This model facilitates an integrated understanding of the different contributing factors involved in sleep medicine, which is crucial for developing expertise in the field.

Curriculum and Training

The educational experience in this fellowship includes:

• Daily sleep study readings and reviews, participating in American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) inter-scorer reliability.
• Weekly didactic lectures focused on sleep medicine topics.
• Conferences held throughout the year to present high-yield educational topics related to sleep medicine.
• Participation in the monthly Sleep Medicine Journal Club, as well as monthly virtual lectures through both AASM and Harvard Sleep.

Moreover, sleep fellows collaborate closely with Pulmonary and Critical Care trainees, participating in weekly didactic sessions that inform their understanding of the pulmonary aspects of sleep disorders, providing a broader perspective beneficial for their future practice.

Training Sites

The Sleep Medicine Fellowship is supported by a diverse array of teaching facilities, including:

• University of Louisville Physicians – Sleep Center
• Robley Rex VA Medical Center
• Norton Children’s Hospital
• UofL Adult Sleep Clinic
• Pediatric Sleep Clinic
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center Sleep Clinic

Research Opportunities

An essential component of the fellowship is engaging in research projects related to sleep medicine. Each fellow is expected to participate in at least one research initiative, thereby contributing to the advancement of knowledge in this vital area of medicine. Additionally, fellows are required to partake in a quality improvement project to comply with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) standards.

Application Requirements

To apply for the program, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

• Completion of an ACGME accredited residency program in one of the following specialties: Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, MedPeds, Pediatrics, Neurology, Psychiatry, or Otolaryngology.
• Successful completion of USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 prior to the start of the fellowship. For D.O. applicants, passing COMLEX exams is acceptable.
• Applicants must possess a valid Kentucky Medical License before the fellowship commences.
• Fellowship candidates must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or holders of a valid employment authorization document, and are eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship.

This program is open to all eligible applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age, promoting an inclusive training environment.

Competitiveness

The Sleep Medicine Fellowship at the University of Louisville is considered to be competitively sought after. While it aims to be inclusive, the number of applicants may vary based on the cohort size in previous years, making it important for prospective candidates to present a strong application.

Visa Support

The program facilitates visa support primarily for international medical graduates who meet the eligibility requirements, including the offering of J-1 visa sponsorship. This allows eligible applicants from various backgrounds to secure a position within the fellowship.