Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine (Kalamazoo) Program

Program Overview

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine offers a comprehensive multidisciplinary training experience designed to equip physicians with the skills necessary to provide high-quality palliative care. Palliative medicine, focusing on alleviating suffering and enhancing the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, incorporates a holistic approach that considers physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to provide a broad range of clinical experiences, academic knowledge, and research opportunities. It includes a combination of didactic learning, case discussions, and hands-on clinical rotations. The fellowship emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, offering training alongside nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals.

Core Rotations

Fellows will rotate through various clinical settings, including:

• Inpatient consultation services
• Outpatient palliative care clinics
• Home-based palliative care programs
• Hospice care

Each rotation is designed to improve fellows' clinical skills in managing complex symptoms and addressing patients' psychosocial and spiritual needs.

Didactic Elements

The program includes weekly didactic sessions covering a range of topics, such as:

• Pain management and symptom control
• Communication skills for difficult conversations
• Ethics in palliative care
• Psychosocial aspects of serious illness

Additionally, fellows engage in journal clubs and case presentations, fostering a culture of continuous learning and inquiry.

Training Sites

The fellowship's training takes place across multiple sites, ensuring exposure to diverse patient populations and care modalities. Key training locations include:

• Bronson Methodist Hospital
• Ascension Borgess Hospital
• Home health organizations
• Community-based hospice programs

Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to participate in research projects that advance the field of palliative care. Projects can cover various interests, including quality of life assessment, pain management techniques, and healthcare disparities within palliative populations. The program also supports fellows in presenting their findings at national conferences.

Visa Support

The program supports international applicants by offering visa sponsorship opportunities. Typically, the program sponsors J-1 visas, which are suitable for international medical graduates seeking clinical training in the U.S.

Competitiveness of the Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship is viewed as highly competitive, attracting a diverse group of applicants from various backgrounds. The program is generally friendly to both DO and IMG applicants, placing a strong emphasis on a holistic evaluation of each candidate's experiences, professionalism, and commitment to the field.

Application Requirements

Applicants need to fulfill specific criteria to be eligible for the fellowship, including:

• Completion of an ACGME-accredited residency program in a relevant specialty (e.g., family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics).
• A valid medical license or the eligibility to obtain one in the state of Michigan.
• Passing scores on the USMLE or COMLEX examinations, with no specific minimum scores required.
• Three letters of recommendation, ideally including one from a palliative medicine physician.
• A personal statement outlining the candidate’s interest in hospice and palliative medicine.

Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Unique Aspects

This fellowship promotes a culture of empathy, communication skills, and comprehensive care, ensuring that fellows are prepared to meet the challenges of palliative medicine. The program fosters community engagement through initiatives such as street medicine and outreach services for underserved populations, enriching the fellows' clinical exposure and social responsibility experience.