An alternative track, available at only a few institutions across the country, leads to double board certification in Medical Oncology and Palliative Care. This unique integrated Palliative Medicine/Medical Oncology fellowship is designed to develop oncologists trained to integrate palliative medicine practice and principles across the continuum of oncologic care. The Northwestern Palliative Medicine Fellowship Training Program, in existence since 1998, is accredited by the Palliative Medicine Review Committee of the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine as being in compliance with the voluntary Program Standards for Residency Education in Palliative Medicine. In 2007, Palliative Medicine was recognized as a subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Subspecialties (ABMS) and ACGME accreditation of fellowship programs will begin January 2009.

A unique feature of the Palliative Care Fellowship Program is the recognition that specialists in this young field need to be not only highly competent clinicians, but also skilled educators. To that end, all fellows will be EPEC (Educate Physicians in End of Life Care) trained by attending EPEC Train-the-Trainer Courses and the EPEC Faculty Development Conference. Fellows will be encouraged and supported to apply for the rigorous process of becoming a Master Facilitator.  Additionally, for all candidates intending joint certification, a Master’s in Clinical Research is strongly encouraged and is funded by the fellowship program.

The approximate Distribution of Effort for the Palliative Care/Oncology Fellowship is as follows (will vary somewhat based on chosen specialties for dual certification):

Benign Hematology Consultation                                       0-1 month
Hematological malignancy Service                                    2-3 months
Solid Tumor Oncology Service                                          2-3 months
Palliative Care Service                                                      9 months
            Palliative Care Inpatient Unit (3 months)
            Palliative Care Consults (3 months)
            Home Hospice (3 months)

Stem Cell Transplant Service                                              0-1 month
VA Service                                                                        2-3 months
Elective                                                                             3 months

Candidates who wish to apply for a one-year palliative medicine fellowship should contact Randy Boston at 312-695-6182 or Rboston@nmff.org for more information.