University of New Mexico School of Medicine Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine is designed to provide high-quality education and training to physicians wishing to specialize in palliative care. This fellowship focuses on addressing the diverse needs of patients and their families dealing with serious illnesses. The program places a significant emphasis on skilled communication, pain and symptom management, and whole-person care, particularly for underserved populations such as Native Americans, reflecting the state’s demographic composition.

Program Overview

The HPM Fellowship spans 12 months and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Training occurs primarily at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH), the only academic medical center and Level 1 Trauma Center in the state. Other training sites include the Raymond G. Murphy Veterans Affairs Medical Center and UNM Children’s Hospital's Mariposa Program, involving a variety of settings for clinical rotations and learning experiences.

Curriculum Components

Clinical Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to encompass a total of 27 weeks in adult inpatient services, alongside 10 weeks focused on hospice care, which includes inpatient, outpatient, and pediatric services. Additional weeks are allocated to long-term care, elective rotations, and special topics such as ethics and pain management. Fellows also participate in outpatient continuity clinics and home visits to provide comprehensive palliative care.

Didactic Curriculum

The fellowship incorporates a rigorous didactic curriculum, which includes weekly sessions led by faculty in palliative medicine and guest specialists. A core component of the training involves a “Boot Camp” series designed to introduce key topics essential for palliative care. Monthly Journal Clubs encourage fellows to engage critically with current literature and strengthen their scholarly activities.

Training and Mentorship

The fellowship emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, exposing fellows to a team of board-certified palliative medicine physicians and advanced practice nurses. Mentorship is an inherent aspect of the program, with guidance provided for individual scholarly projects along with opportunities to participate in regional and national meetings, specifically the AAHPM Annual Meeting.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral component of the program, with efforts focused on understanding and addressing the palliative needs of New Mexico's diverse population. Fellows have the chance to engage in research projects that explore the impact of palliative care on various patient groups and clinical situations, thus contributing to the evolving field of palliative medicine.

Application Process

The fellowship offers three positions and applications are processed through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Eligible candidates should be board-eligible or board-certified in primary specialties such as Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, Psychiatry, Surgery, among others. The program seeks a diverse group of candidates and is committed to educating individuals from various backgrounds.

Visa Support and Requirements

The program is open to international medical graduates and provides visa sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visa types, allowing qualified foreign physicians to participate in the fellowship. Applicants must note any specific application requirements regarding year of graduation or maximum failed STEP exam attempts, as the program upholds standards for selection.

Competitiveness

While the fellowship is described as highly competitive, it maintains a commitment to diversity, making it more accessible to DO and IMG candidates compared to some other programs. The emphasis on service to underserved populations aligns with the mission to produce culturally competent physicians.