Program Distinctions/Clinical Strengths

Diverse Experience
The Midwest Hospice and Palliative Medicine Integrated Fellowship provides fellows with the opportunity to experience the practice of palliative medicine in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including several hospitals, private physicians’ offices, the CareCenter Inpatient Hospice Unit, patient homes and long-term care settings. Patients come from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and the geographic settings of care range from the inner city of Chicago to suburban and semi-rural areas.

Mentoring/Modeling Style of Education
Just as the leadership of the fellowship program approaches patient care in a person-centered, wholistic manner, so it approaches its fellows. The preceptors of the programs emphasize modeling and mentoring as primary methods of teaching and evaluation. Constant interaction, input and feedback occur as fellows observe the work of attending physicians, and are, in turn, observed by them. Fellows are rigorously evaluated for proficiency in professional and interpersonal skills; leadership and communication abilities; self-awareness and self-care; and expertise as a compassionate professional. Fellows provide and review monthly records of their progress in developing specific competencies acquired during the various rotations. Evaluation of fellows is carried out by the program director, preceptors and core faculty, which includes non-physician members of the interdisciplinary team.