University of Utah Health Program

The University of Utah Health Program in Hospice and Palliative Medicine offers a multidisciplinary fellowship that is highly regarded for its comprehensive approach and diverse practice settings. This fellowship is hosted within the Department of Internal Medicine, providing fellows with opportunities to work across various hospitals and medical disciplines within a large catchment area that spans seven states, including parts of Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, and Colorado.

The training facilities include the University of Utah Medical Center, George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, Intermountain Medical Center, and Primary Children's Hospital. These institutions collectively serve a substantial population, particularly in rural areas, where the need for specialized palliative care is significant. The program caters to a wide array of patient needs, managing conditions with complex trajectories such as cardiology, neurology, geriatrics, organ transplantation, oncology, gastrointestinal issues, and pulmonary conditions 1.

Clinical Rotations and Responsibilities

The fellowship includes multiple clinical exposure opportunities, encompassing inpatient consultation services where fellows work alongside an interdisciplinary team of physicians, advanced practice clinicians, social workers, and chaplains. The fellow's experience will span a variety of healthcare settings with substantial patient interaction. For example, fellows engage in inpatient hospice services at the University Hospital as well as at Huntsman Cancer Hospital, focusing on critically complex patients near the end of life 1.

Throughout the fellowship, fellows will also participate in the Huntsman at Home program, which facilitates hospital-level care for patients in the home setting, offering acute symptom management and palliative care services 1. Training is enriched by a continuity clinic at the Huntsman Cancer Institute or at a chronic serious illness clinic at the University Hospital, where supervision is provided by board-certified attending physicians.

Alongside adult care, the fellowship offers an integrated pediatric component, where fellows gain experience at Primary Children’s Hospital. This includes handling approximately 150 new palliative care referrals annually and providing family-centered care for children with complex chronic conditions 1.

Research and Elective Opportunities

The University of Utah fellowship encourages fellows to engage in research, offering a three to four week elective period to explore interests ranging from publication and integrative medicine to radiation oncology 1.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications for the fellowship are accepted exclusively through the Electronic Resident Application Service (ERAS). Required documents include the common ERAS application form, a curriculum vitae, a personal statement, a medical school transcript, a Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), and three letters of recommendation. The program plays a pivotal role in the National Resident Match Program, allowing applicants to rank the fellowship according to specific codes depending on their interest track 2.

Special application requirements include being a graduate from an accredited medical school and having completed a residency program in relevant specialties. The program does not recognize the maximum number of failed USMLE step exams; however, applicants with strong clinical backgrounds are more competitive 2.

Competitiveness and Inclusiveness

The fellowship is competitive, attracting a diverse range of candidates, including graduates from MD, DO, and international medical schools. The program actively fosters an inclusive environment, refraining from discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, age, race, disability, or veteran's status 2.

Visa Support

The University of Utah Health Program offers visa sponsorship options for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking to apply for the fellowship. Types of visas sponsored typically include the J-1 visa for exchange visitors and, in some instances, the H-1B visa for specialty occupations. Prospective fellows should consult the program's administration regarding specific details and eligibility criteria.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The distinctive features of the University of Utah Health Program in Hospice and Palliative Medicine encompass not only its multidisciplinary training approach but also its commitment to longitudinal hospice exposure, which is key in preparing fellows for certification examinations and eventual independent practice. Approximately one day each week throughout the fellowship is dedicated to a longitudinal hospice rotation, allowing fellows to deepen their understanding of hospice care in a practical context 1.