Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship

The Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is designed for anesthesiology physicians seeking to specialize in the practice of regional anesthesia and acute pain management. Established in 2009 and accredited in the Fall of 2016, this fellowship currently accepts three fellows each year, providing a diverse and comprehensive training experience in various clinical settings.

Fellowship Training Sites:

The fellowship training occurs across multiple sites, ensuring a broad experience:

• Primary Site: Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) - a large quaternary care hospital and Level 1 trauma center, noted as one of the busiest trauma centers in the United States.
• Secondary Sites:
• Ambulatory orthopedic surgery centers with an emphasis on high-efficiency care.
• Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, which has robust acute and chronic pediatric pain programs.
• Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital.
• Kijabe Hospital in Kenya, where fellows can participate in an optional international elective focusing on regional anesthesia.

Curriculum and Rotations:

The curriculum focuses on a variety of critical areas aimed at developing expertise in regional anesthesia and acute pain management:

• Clinical Rotations: Over 7,000 blocks are performed annually across all participating sites, ensuring extensive hands-on experience. This includes the management of epidural and peripheral nerve catheters, trauma management, and a home peripheral nerve catheter program.
• Multidisciplinary Team: Fellows will engage with a team that includes faculty, residents, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals, enhancing collaborative learning.
• Pediatric Pain Management: Fellows are involved in managing pain for pediatric patients, focusing on the unique aspects of pediatric ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocols.
• Addiction Psychiatry: The program integrates training on managing opioid withdrawal and the educational aspects of pain medication management within the context of the ongoing opioid crisis.
• International Opportunities: Participation in a 4-week rotation specifically at Kijabe Hospital, enhancing exposure to international practices in regional anesthesia.

Research Opportunities:

Fellows are encouraged to engage in research throughout their training, benefiting from the rigorous academic environment at Vanderbilt. This is facilitated by access to a wide array of resources and faculty mentorship, enabling fellows to explore innovative projects in anesthesia and pain medicine.

Compensation and Benefits:

The fellowship offers a competitive salary, currently over $80,000 annually, along with additional stipends for continuing medical education (CME) and conference participation. Benefits include health, life, and disability insurance, as well as retirement plans standardized by the Vanderbilt University Office of Graduate Medical Education.

Visa Support:

The program provides support for visa sponsorship, catering to qualified international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking to train in this fellowship. This includes processing for J-1 and H-1B visa types.

Application Requirements:

Applicants should be aware that the fellowship application is competitive. Specific criteria include:

• Must possess an MD or DO degree and be board-eligible or board-certified in anesthesiology.
• International medical graduates should provide documentation of their medical education and training.
• Annual application deadlines coincide with the San Francisco Match process.

Competitiveness:

The fellowship is highly competitive; however, it is also known to be friendly to both DO and IMG applicants. The program values diverse backgrounds and experiences, enhancing the training environment for all fellows.

Unique Aspects of the Program:

Vanderbilt's fellowship integrates an immersive educational framework with a strong emphasis on clinical excellence, innovative research, and global health perspectives, making it a premier choice for medical professionals in anesthesiology.