Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, Radiation Oncology Track

OVERVIEW

Our Radiation Oncology Track is an ACGME-accredited integrated educational program for highly qualified recent graduates or mid-career physicians who have completed residency training in Radiation Oncology. In addition to Hospice/Palliative Medicine rotations, the one-year program offers additional experiences in palliative and spine stereotactic radiotherapy, with significant volumes of complex re-irradiation cases.

This is the first-ever 1-year ACGME-accredited Hospice/Palliative Medicine (HPM) fellowship track for Radiation Oncologists (RO)

All fellows receive intensive training in the care of seriously ill patients and their families as part of an interdisciplinary team. They develop expertise in providing patient centered medical care, as well as advanced communication skills. In addition to excellent clinical training, fellows receive close mentoring from dedicated faculty and are encouraged to engage in mentored educational and quality improvement work during their fellowship. Fellows also participate in scholarly requirements, research and Grand Rounds during their training experience.

The program meets all requirements for board eligibility in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. New residency graduates will be able to sit for both Radiation Oncology and Hospice and Palliative Medicine Board certification exams in the same year, offering the opportunity for dual certification.

SAMPLE ROTATION SCHEDULE

FAQ

Who is eligible?

  • Highly qualified PGY-5 Radiation Oncology residents in good standing at an ACGME-accredited residency program
  • Board-certified mid-career physicians
  • PGY-5 applicants must have successfully passed all written board exams by the start of the fellowship (i.e. be board-eligible)

What is the fellowship?

  • 1-year ACGME-accredited Hospice/Palliative Medicine fellowship track for physicians who have completed residency in Radiation Oncology
  • Leads to Board-Eligibility in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM)

Who should apply?

  • Radiation Oncologists who:
    • Are interested in caring for patients with advanced/metastatic disease
    • Have unique interests in the intersection of Palliative Care and Radiation Oncology
    • Desire to develop symptom management and advanced communication skills
    • Desire to further enhance their knowledge and technical treatment-planning skills (inclusive of stereotactic radiotherapy and re-irradiation) for patients with metastatic disease

How does this differ from a traditional HPM fellowship?

  • Unique integrated rotation structure with HPM and Radiation Oncology, which:
    • Fulfills all ACGME-requirements to be eligible for HPM board-certification
    • Offers dedicated Radiation Oncology rotations at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (PCAM) with a comprehensive metastatic disease service, which includes a spine stereotactic radiotherapy program with significant complex re-irradiation case volume
    • Fellows will also apply hospice and palliative medicine skills in symptom management and serious illness communication during the Radiation Oncology rotations

How do I apply?

  • Applications will be accepted beginning 7/1/2024 for the 2025-2026 academic year
  • Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis beginning 8/1/2024 for 1 position to start in July 2025
  • Please send the following to the program Co-directors (Drs. Butala and Dingfield, email addresses below):
    • CV
    • Personal Statement (1 page)
    • 3 Letters of Recommendations (one from Program Director if in residency, or current supervisor if mid-career applicant)
    • Written Radiation Oncology Board Examination Scores (or anticipated exam dates)

ADMINISTRATION:

Fellowship Directors

Anish Butala, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology

Chief, Palliative Radiotherapy Service

Anish.Butala@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

 

Laura Dingfield, MD, MSEd

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine

Program Director, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship

Laura.Dingfield@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

 

Program Coordinator

Cordelia M. Baffic

Director of Medical Education

Radiation Oncology

Cordelia.Baffic@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

 

Remember:    Applications accepted starting on July 1, 2024

Click here for just the Schedule and Composition of the Fellowship