University of Wisconsin (Madison) Program

The Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, offered through the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH), presents an extensive and specialized training experience for health professionals seeking to manage substance use disorders. There are currently two fellowship paths available: the UW DFMCH Addiction Medicine Fellowship and the VA Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addictions Treatment.

Created in 2010, the Addiction Medicine Fellowship program offers a comprehensive one-year curriculum designed to equip healthcare providers with the necessary skills to assess, treat, and manage patients with substance use disorders and co-existing conditions. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, participants are eligible to sit for the board certification examination in Addiction Medicine, reflecting the program's strong alignment with national standards and guidelines.

The fellowship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and has been recognized as a National Model Program by the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Trainees acquire expertise in several critical areas, including:

• Comprehensive assessment and management of substance use disorders
• Integrating addiction medicine into primary care
• Managing acute withdrawal and intoxication syndromes
• Administering medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and alcohol use disorder (MAUD)
• Caring for patients living with both HIV and substance use issues
• Applying motivational interviewing techniques to facilitate recovery
• Implementing harm reduction strategies

Clinical experiences feature outpatient consultation clinics and hospital addiction medicine consultations primarily at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. Additionally, fellows will engage in rotations at various settings, including:

• Access Community Health Centers (a Federally Qualified Health Center)
• The multi-disciplinary VA Addictive Disorders Treatment Program
• Local licensed opioid treatment programs for methadone and buprenorphine treatment
• Outpatient consultations specific to substance use disorders within the UW HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Care Program
• Outpatient Alcohol-related Liver Disease clinic within UW Hepatology clinic

Participants in the fellowship will be mentored by an experienced faculty, comprising nationally recognized experts from diverse fields including Addiction Medicine, Addiction Psychiatry, Family Medicine, and Pain Management, among others.

Application and Eligibility

Potential applicants must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), submitting essential documents including a personal statement, CV, letters of recommendation, medical school transcript, and USMLE or COMLEX transcripts. Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency program, preferably in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or emergency medicine. Candidates must also be board certified or planning to become board certified prior to the fellowship start date and meet Wisconsin licensing requirements to qualify as Medicaid and Medicare providers.

The VA Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addictions Treatment extends over two years, allowing MDs to train alongside other health professionals. The program targets skilled development in leadership, quality improvement, and research within the field of addictions treatment. Candidates are typically board certified or board eligible in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or emergency medicine.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

The program provides visa support, typically sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visas for international medical graduates, facilitating their training in this highly competitive specialty. While the program is seen as competitive, it is also friendly toward DOs and International Medical Graduates (IMGs), aiming to create a diverse learning environment.

Special Requirements

Applicants should note that there may be limits on the number of failed USMLE Step exams; specific parameters will be detailed in the program's application guidelines. Overall, the fellowship is designed to cultivate skilled practitioners in addiction medicine, preparing graduates for impactful careers in a critical field of healthcare.

Fellows interested in further involvement in research and quality improvement will be positioned within a robust academic framework that encourages exploration and innovation.