University of North Carolina Hospitals Program

The UNC Addiction Medicine Fellowship is a unique 12-month program designed to cross-cut various disciplines and specialties, with an objective to train the next generation of specialists in addiction medicine. It is open to fellows from any ACGME-accredited specialty, reflecting the program's commitment to providing an integrated training experience that addresses addiction in multiple settings.

Fellows in this program engage in a diverse range of learning activities, which include didactic training, case-based learning, and direct patient care. The training environment is enhanced by the robust activities of the addiction medicine faculty at UNC who actively promote innovation and create a supportive atmosphere for fellows. In addition to clinical training, fellows receive full financial support, including funding for attendance at the ASAM Annual Conference, highlighting the program's dedication to professional development and education.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum includes clinical rotations across various services, such as:

• Inpatient Addiction Consult Service: Management of opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder in hospitalized patients.
• Inpatient Chronic Pain Consult Service: Operated by the department of anesthesiology, focusing on patients with co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Inpatient Hepatology Consult Service: Managed by the department of gastroenterology and hepatology, primarily dealing with patients suffering from alcohol use disorder.
• Horizons Program: A unique residential treatment program for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders.
• Outpatient Opioid Treatment Program (OTP): Providing treatments like methadone and buprenorphine in an outpatient setting.
• STAR Clinic: Focused on virtual and in-person treatments of substance use disorders.
• Tobacco Treatment Consult Service: Providing nicotine cessation support.
• Elective Time: Opportunities are available for fellows to engage in diverse elective experiences tailored to their educational interests.

The program also features educational seminars, including:

• Professional Development Seminar (1 hour/week)
• Principles of Addiction Medicine Seminar (1 hour/week)
• Practical Applications of Addiction Medicine Seminar (1 hour/week)
• Special Topics in Addiction Medicine Seminar (1 hour/week)
• ACAAM Seminar (2 hours/week)

Fellows have protected time to attend all these seminars, ensuring a thorough educational experience.

Research and Community Involvement

Fellows are encouraged to engage in research and community initiatives, contributing to the field of addiction medicine while also benefiting from the extensive resources of the University.

Curriculum Requirements

Prospective applicants for the fellowship need to apply through ERAS and participate in the NRMP. Documentation required for the application includes:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Medical School Transcript
• Transcripts of USMLE Scores
• Dean's letter
• Three letters of reference

Specific Attention is given to applicants who are foreign graduates. They must complete an ACGME-accredited residency and hold a current ECFMG Certificate. The program only sponsors J-1 visas and does not provide support for H1-B visas.

Competitiveness and Application Criteria

The fellowship program is highly competitive, with candidates typically holding backgrounds in family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and various other specialties. All candidates must meet stringent selection criteria, including having no significant delays or failures in their STEP examinations, and submitting letters from program directors and individuals familiar with their medical training.

Fellowship Experience and Life Balance

The fellowship experience is structured to support fellows not only academically but also personally. There are no on-call responsibilities, and fellows do not work on weekends, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Fellows receive holidays off and are permitted to moonlight during their fellowship year.