University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Program

The Sleep Medicine Fellowship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is designed to prepare physicians for certification in Sleep Medicine, offering a comprehensive year-long training program. This program has been fully accredited since 2013 and is recognized for its dedication to fostering highly-qualified physicians aiming for academic and clinical excellence.

The program accepts two fellows each year and boasts a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach involving various specialties including ear, nose and throat (ENT), neurology, psychiatry, primary care, dentistry, and oral maxillofacial surgery. This diversity in training allows fellows to gain a holistic understanding of sleep disorders and their treatment modalities 1.

Training Sites

Fellows will primarily engage in clinical training at two major sites: the OU Medical Center and the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. These facilities provide a rich environment for clinical exposure, allowing fellows to manage a range of sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless leg disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and central sleep apnea.

Curriculum and Clinical Training

The curriculum of the fellowship is designed to provide extensive training in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with a focus on outpatient care. This structure allows fellows to familiarize themselves with a variety of sleep disorders and the comprehensive treatment options available, including cognitive behavioral therapy, CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgical interventions.

Fellows will participate in outpatient clinic work and will be trained in the scoring and interpretation of sleep studies at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center Sleep Center. The program emphasizes competency-based education to ensure fellows acquire the professional skills necessary to excel in Sleep Medicine.

Research Opportunities

Research is a vital component of the fellowship, with fellows encouraged to engage in various scholarly activities, including participation in randomized controlled trials and the preparation of case reports. The Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep Section at the university is equipped with dedicated personnel who assist fellows with Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and patient enrollment processes 1.

Academic Support and Evaluation

Fellows are closely supervised by faculty members who regularly assess their performance through evaluations conducted after each rotation. These evaluations consider the fellows' knowledge, clinical skills, professional attitude, and overall competence. Faculty meetings are held to review these evaluations, and feedback is provided to fellows, promoting transparency and growth 1.

A unique feature of the fellowship is the regular fellows' meetings where trainees can discuss their experiences, voice any concerns about their training, and suggest potential improvements to the program. These discussions facilitate a dynamic learning environment and promote ongoing curriculum development based on the latest advancements in the field.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international medical graduates, sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visa types for accepted fellows. This ensures that qualified candidates from around the world have the opportunity to train at the University of Oklahoma.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship program is competitive, welcoming applications from physicians with backgrounds in anesthesiology, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, otorhinolaryngology, pediatrics, and psychiatry. Applicants are typically required to have completed their residency programs and must be eligible for board certification in their respective specialties. There may be specific application guidelines regarding the year of graduation and previous examination performance, such as limitations on the number of failed United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) steps. It is important for prospective fellows to ensure they meet all prerequisites prior to applying.