Waco Family Medicine - Institute Program

Specialty:Hospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)
ACGME Code:5404812125
NRMP Code:-
Status:Continued Accreditation

Overview

The Waco Family Medicine – Institute Program in Hospice and Palliative Medicine is dedicated to training exceptional physicians who provide empathetic care to patients across various age groups and backgrounds. The fellowship encompasses a holistic approach to care, emphasizing the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of patients. Training occurs in a multitude of environments, including inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and patients' homes, thus reflecting the comprehensive nature of hospice and palliative medicine.

Fellowship Structure

The fellowship lasts one year and is ACGME-approved, specifically designed for graduates from primary care residencies, including family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. The program offers a competitive PGY-4 salary along with comprehensive benefits, making it an appealing choice for candidates. Each fellow will engage in a variety of experiences to hone their skills in different aspects of hospice and palliative medicine.

Curriculum and Clinical Experience

The fellowship curriculum is robust, featuring a combination of didactic learning and clinical experiences. Major components include:

  • Didactics
  • Inpatient Palliative Consult Service
  • Inpatient Hospice
  • Home Hospice
  • Pediatric and Perinatal Experiences
  • Long-Term Care
  • Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic
  • Ethics
  • Electives
  • Scholarly Project

The collaborative nature of the program involves interdisciplinary teams, which include social workers, advanced practice providers, nursing staff, chaplains, and pharmacists, facilitating a well-rounded educational experience for fellows.

Clinical Collaborations

The program collaborates with several respected institutions, enhancing the training experience through varied clinical exposure. Key partnerships include:

  • Waco Family Medicine – Serving nearly 62,000 patients in McLennan County as a federally qualified health center.
  • Baylor Scott & White – Hillcrest Hospital – A 236-bed community-based hospital with a level 2 trauma center.
  • Community Health Care of Texas – The largest nonprofit, Medicare-certified hospice in Texas, offering an eight-bed inpatient hospice unit.
  • Baylor University – Incorporating a renowned Medical Humanities program into the fellowship training.

Faculty and Educators

The fellowship is guided by a distinguished faculty with varied backgrounds, including specialties in family medicine, geriatric medicine, and hospice and palliative medicine. The faculty members include:

  • Fellowship Director board certified in family medicine, geriatric medicine, and hospice and palliative medicine.
  • Associate Fellowship Director who is board certified in family medicine.
  • Faculty members with diverse qualifications, contributing to a rich learning environment.

Visa Support and Sponsorship

The Waco Family Medicine Program in Hospice and Palliative Medicine is welcoming to international medical graduates (IMGs) and provides visa support. The program is able to sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas, making it accessible for qualified candidates from around the world to apply.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

This fellowship is considered highly competitive, especially for candidates from primary care backgrounds. It emphasizes graduates from family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Applicants are generally expected to have completed their residency no more than a few years prior, ensuring that they have recent clinical training. Additionally, the program may have specific stipulations regarding the maximum number of failed STEP exams, aligning with common standards across ACGME fellowships.

Unique Aspects of the Program

One of the unique aspects of the Waco Family Medicine – HPM Fellowship is its integrated approach, blending bedside clinical education with a strong emphasis on the ethical dilemmas often faced in hospice and palliative care. The interdisciplinary team dynamics foster collaboration across various healthcare specialties, which enriches the educational context for the fellows.

Overall, the program is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in hospice and palliative medicine, with a strong focus on compassionate patient care.

Web sources

SmartPick

Program data

ACGME History [2]

Accreditation Last updated: Jul 16, 2026
Initial accreditation3
Full accreditation0
Continued5
Warning0
Probationary Accreditation0
Withdrawal0

Program

Program Size

-- (1 years) [1]

Accreditation Status

Continued Accreditation

(Effective: January 28, 2026)

Composition

--

Training

Fellowship Rate:--

Faculty-to-Residents Ratio:2.5X [1]

Residents Career Path

--

Quality of Life

First Year Paid Sick Leave: --

First Year Paid Vacation: --

First Year Salary: $74,433 [1]

First Year Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty: 12 hours [1]

First Year Average Weekly Hours: 45 hours [1]

Admission

USMLE Step 2 Score: --

Visa Sponsorship:--

YOG Cutoff:--

Race / Ethnicity

No race data available.

Gender

No gender data available.

Incoming Schools

No incoming school data available.

Rotation Duration by Site

Benchmarks

Roster

Location

Waco, TX [4]

Population
138,486
Median income
$52,770Below
Education
28.8%On par
Employment
60.3%Below
Health
14.7%Above
Age
29Below
  • Above the national average
  • Below the national average
  • Similar to the national average

Housing — Rental prices [5]

Rental prices

Crime — All violent offences [6]

Rate per 100,000 residents

Living in Waco, TX

Crime Rate and Safety

Waco has a slightly higher crime rate compared to the national average, especially in certain areas. However, the overall safety level is moderate, and like any city, taking basic precautions can help.

Fun Activities

Waco offers a variety of activities, including visiting the famous Magnolia Market at the Silos, exploring the Cameron Park Zoo, and enjoying outdoor recreational opportunities at Lake Waco. The city also hosts cultural events and festivals throughout the year.

Climate

Waco has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Residents experience all four seasons, with occasional thunderstorms in the spring and hot temperatures in the summer.

Races and Population

Waco has a diverse population with a mix of races and cultures, contributing to a vibrant community atmosphere.

Education

Waco is home to Baylor University, a prestigious institution known for its academic programs and sports teams. The city also has public and private schools for K-12 education.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Waco is relatively lower than in major cities, making it an attractive option for residents looking for affordable housing and everyday expenses.

Proximity to Bigger Cities

Waco is located approximately 90 minutes away from Austin and 3 hours from Dallas by car. Both Austin and Dallas offer more extensive entertainment, dining, and cultural amenities.

Pros

  • Affordable cost of living
  • diverse population
  • proximity to bigger cities.

Cons

  • Slightly higher crime rate in some areas
  • hot summers.

FAQ

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Nearby programs

Hospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary) Programs Near Waco, TX

University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center ProgramHouston, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Lubbock ProgramLubbock, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine ProgramSan Antonio, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)John Peter Smith Hospital (Tarrant County Hospital District) ProgramFort Worth, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ProgramHouston, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Oklahoma College of Medicine ProgramOklahoma City, OKHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School ProgramAustin, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler ProgramTyler, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)Baylor University Medical Center ProgramDallas, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) ProgramBaton Rouge, LAHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center ProgramDallas, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Mississippi School of Medicine ProgramJackson, MSHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine ProgramLittle Rock, ARHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)Baylor College of Medicine (Houston) ProgramHouston, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center/Children’s Cancer Hospital ProgramHouston, TXHospice and palliative medicine (multidisciplinary)

Other specialties near Waco, TX

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXPain medicine (multidisciplinary)Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXClinical neurophysiologyBaylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXAdult cardiothoracic anesthesiologyBaylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXInterventional cardiologyWaco Family Medicine - Institute ProgramWaco, TXClinical informatics (Family medicine)Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXInterventional radiology - independentBaylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXGastroenterologyBaylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXPulmonary disease and critical care medicineTexas A&M University College of Medicine ProgramTemple, TXGeriatric medicine (Family medicine)Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXNeonatal-perinatal medicineBaylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXDermatopathology (multidisciplinary)Waco Family Medicine - Institute ProgramWaco, TXSports medicine (Family medicine)Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXCardiovascular diseaseBaylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXChild and adolescent psychiatryBaylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXEndocrinology, diabetes, and metabolismBaylor Scott & White Medical Center - Baylor College of Medicine (Temple) ProgramTemple, TXAdult reconstructive orthopaedics

References

1. Freida - https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/5404812125

2. ACGME - Accreditation Data System (ADS) - https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search

3. NRMP Results and Data: 2022-2026 Main Residency Match - https://www.nrmp.org/match-data/2026/03/program-results-2022-2026/

4. United States Census Bureau - https://data.census.gov/profile/City,_VS?g=160XX00US4876000

5. Zillow Research - Observed Rent Index (ZORI) - https://www.zillow.com/research/data/

6. FBI - Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (Uniform Crime Reporting Program) - https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr