Wellstar Health System/Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center offers a unique and comprehensive training experience designed to cultivate proficient and compassionate physicians in the field of palliative care. The fellowship is structured to provide extensive clinical exposure, educational opportunities, and a supportive learning environment.

Program Overview

The program blends community and academic medicine, creating an ideal educational setting. The experienced faculty is dedicated to providing mentorship and support throughout the fellowship. Wellstar Kennestone itself manages a diverse patient population with various serious illnesses, allowing fellows to gain invaluable experience in patient-centered care.

Clinical Training and Rotations

Fellows benefit from a wide breadth of clinical training that involves rotations in:

• Hospice: 12 weeks
• Consultative Care: 16 weeks
• Long-Term Care: 4 weeks
• Pediatrics: 3 weeks
• Outpatient Oncology: 4 weeks
• Home-Based Palliative Care: 3 weeks
• Palliative Care Clinic: Every two weeks
• Home Calls: Fellows take call from home (1 in 5 during consult and hospice rotations)

Options for elective rotations include ethics, advanced heart failure, interventional pain management, and wound care among others.

Education and Didactics

The fellowship emphasizes education throughout its curriculum. Fellows participate in:

• Weekly educational half-days focused on topics such as communication skills, symptom management, spiritual care, and ethics.
• The Specialist Series, a series of lectures provided by experts discussing significant topics within palliative medicine.
• Regular opportunities for scholarly activity, with a focus on quality improvement and clinical research.

Research Opportunities

As a leading palliative care program in Georgia, fellows have access to multiple longitudinal projects during their fellowship. They also have the opportunity to design and implement a quality improvement project throughout their time in the program. Each fellow is expected to submit a case for presentation at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) annual assembly.

Fellowship Highlights

• A dedicated team of fellowship-trained faculty, including social workers and chaplains, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
• A fully integrated palliative care program that collaborates with all departments within Wellstar Kennestone.
• Accessibility of advanced procedures and therapies, such as ECMO, LVADs, and more, in a high-volume environment.
• Significant emphasis on fellow well-being and resilience through structured wellness programs.
• Annual allowance for educational events and conferences, ensuring that the fellows remain engaged and informed about advancements in the field.

Living and Working in Marietta

Fellows can enjoy a balanced lifestyle, living in Marietta, Georgia, which boasts a vibrant community atmosphere with easy access to both cultural activities in Atlanta and the tranquility of suburban life. The city offers a rich tapestry of experiences for dining, recreation, and leisure—all of which significantly contribute to the overall well-being of the fellows.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship is highly competitive, welcoming applications from both US and international medical graduates, including those from DO programs and overseas graduates. Wellstar does not have a maximum limit on failed USMLE/COMLEX attempts but emphasizes strong performance in clinical duties and overall candidacy. The program sponsors J-1 visas.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Wellstar is deeply committed to equity and inclusion. This commitment is reflected in the fellowship's patient demographic, which encompasses various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Wellstar fosters an environment that encourages acceptance, collaboration, and resilience.