Medical University of South Carolina Program

The Medical University of South Carolina offers a year-long fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM), designed to train physicians in delivering comprehensive palliative care to patients and families facing serious illness. The fellowship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and provides a rich array of clinical experiences across various settings, including academic medical centers, community health partners, the Ralph A. Johnson VA Medical Center, and home hospices.

The program accepts two fellows annually, allowing for an intimate and focused training experience. The diverse clinical rotations provide fellows with exposure to varied patient demographics and treatment environments, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Clinical Rotations

Fellows engage in extensive clinical rotations that include:

• MUSC Health: 20 weeks of inpatient palliative care consultation with a multidisciplinary team, comprising physicians, advanced practice nurses, social workers, and chaplains. The site serves as a Level I trauma center and transplant location, allowing fellows to manage complex cases.
• Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center: 4 weeks of inpatient long-term care alongside 4 weeks in home hospice settings, focusing on veterans with chronic illnesses. This rotation encompasses telemedicine and inpatient consultations.
• Roper Healthcare System: 8 weeks of inpatient consultation service followed by 4 weeks working with the home hospice program at Roper St. Francis Healthcare.
• Ambulatory Palliative Care Clinics: Weekly outpatient follow-ups and new patient consultations for various serious illnesses are included in the curriculum.
• MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital: 4 weeks of pediatric palliative care, offering exposure to patients from neonates to teenagers.
• The Village at Summerville: 4 weeks spent at a skilled nursing facility, enhancing the fellows’ experience with geriatric patients.

Educational Opportunities

The fellowship curriculum includes didactic sessions every Thursday covering a comprehensive range of palliative care topics, led by experts from various specialties. The program also features:

• Palliative Grand Rounds held monthly to discuss cases with clinicians from affiliated institutions.
• Journal club sessions focusing on recent research and readjusting clinical practices based on new evidence.
• Quality Improvement (QI) projects and scholarly research are integral parts of the fellowship experience.
• Formal resiliency training and wellness resources to support fellows emotionally and mentally.
• Participation in the AAHPM conference, allowing fellows to engage with the broader palliative care community.

Application Process

The application process for the fellowship is rigorous, requiring candidates to have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in a primary specialty acceptable for palliative medicine. Accepted specialties include but are not limited to internal medicine, family medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, emergency medicine, neurology, and psychiatry.

Applicants must submit:

• Three letters of recommendation, including one from the program director.
• A current photograph.
• USMLE or COMLEX transcripts.
• A personal statement articulating their motivation and career goals.
• An ECFMG certificate if applicable.
• Visa documentation if necessary, as the program can sponsor certain visa types.

Competitive Environment

Being part of this fellowship is highly competitive, with particular attention paid to candidates’ clinical backgrounds, research experience, and personal statements. The program is open to applications from both US graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), creating a diverse cohort of fellows every year.

Overall Experience

Living in Charleston enhances the experience for fellows, with the city known for its culture, history, and hospitality. Opportunities for outdoor activities, fine dining, and community engagement enrich both personal and professional life while training in this dynamic field.

This comprehensive training in palliative care, combined with an encouraging program environment, prepares fellows effectively for future roles in hospice and palliative medicine.