Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program

The Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a one-year ACGME-accredited program designed for board-eligible psychiatrists. This esteemed fellowship offers two positions annually, allowing fellows to immerse themselves in a complex and enriched learning environment. The program's training is predominantly conducted within the expansive Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), which boasts over 1,100 beds and serves as a tertiary care center for a significant portion of the Southeastern United States.

Throughout the year, fellows engage with a wide array of clinical experiences, managing more than 7,500 new consultations each year. This exposure fosters their ability to recognize and address diverse psychiatric disorders, navigate ethical dilemmas, and offer behavioral symptom management in various clinical contexts. This highly competitive program encourages fellows to develop unique subspecialty interests through interaction with specialized psychiatric services such as the Addiction Consultation Service, Transplant Psychiatry Service, and Emergency Psychiatry Service, as well as the affiliated Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital.

Curriculum and Rotations

The fellowship curriculum encompasses both clinical and didactic training. Fellows partake in a longitudinal outpatient consultation-liaison clinic, working closely with providers across disciplines, including Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neurology, Infectious Disease, and Endocrinology. This collaborative approach not only enhances clinical skills but also reinforces the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in psychiatry.

Weekly seminars and conferences, including Focused Case Conferences, Journal Clubs, Psychiatry Grand Rounds, and Geriatrics and Toxicology Conferences, provide fellows with the opportunity to deepen their clinical knowledge and engage in scholarly discussions. Additionally, they participate in various elective rotations, allowing further specialization in fields of interest.

Research Opportunities

The program cultivates a strong research foundation. Fellows can join ongoing projects or initiate their own under the guidance of experienced faculty members. Areas of research strength within the department include delirium, catatonia, first-episode psychosis, neuroimaging, and quality improvement initiatives. Protected time for research activities is also available, ensuring fellows can pursue their academic interests while fulfilling clinical responsibilities.

Training Sites

Vanderbilt University Medical Center acts as the central training site. Additionally, fellows provide consultation services at the Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, enabling them to engage with patients recovering from significant medical events such as major orthopedic procedures or traumatic brain injury. This multi-site training enhances fellows’ understanding of the psychiatric aspects of recovery from physical ailments.

Fellowship Structure

The fellowship structure emphasizes both clinical exposure and educational development, with weekly supervision dedicated to ensuring fellows’ growth in educational, clinical, and professional dimensions. The program values the diverse interests of each fellow, tailoring experiences to meet individual academic and clinical goals. The inclusion of extensive teaching opportunities enhances fellows’ teaching competencies, preparing them for future academic roles.

Eligibility and Application Process

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited psychiatry residency and achieved a passing score on the USMLE STEP 3 or COMLEX Level 3. The application process opens on July 1st each year and closes on November 15th. Interviews are typically scheduled from September through November. The program requires applications to be submitted through ERAS starting in 2024, with positions filled via the NRMP Match.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center sponsors J-1 visas for fellowship applicants, enhancing its accessibility for international medical graduates.

Competitiveness

The Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship at Vanderbilt is recognized as highly competitive. The selection process is rigorous, and candidates are encouraged to demonstrate robust academic backgrounds and relevant clinical experiences. The program does not typically consider applicants who have failed any component of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or COMLEX, except in exceptional cases where prior performance demonstrates an otherwise exemplary academic record.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is a core value of the Vanderbilt fellowship programs. The fellowship emphasizes creating an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the population served. The program participates in various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and supporting underrepresented groups within the medical field.

In summary, the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center provides a comprehensive and enriching experience, equipping fellows with the necessary skills for a successful career in psychiatry while fostering a commitment to teaching, research, and diversity.