Training the next generation of providers
As dedicated advocates for developing medical professionals in the growing field of hospice and palliative medicine, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care believes it is imperative to train physicians to offer this vital end-of-life care in support of our community. As a result of this belief, the Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship was developed in 2005 by Kansas City Hospice in partnership with The University of Kansas Medical Center (KU). In 2008, the program’s leadership transitioned to KU, which made it possible for the fellowship to gain program accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Today KCH is one of four partners in the University of Kansas Medical Center Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship; the other three partners include Children’s Mercy (added in 2016), North Kansas City Hospital (added in 2014) and The University of Kansas Health System. The collaboration of these medical providers combines experts across disciplines to form a robust interdisciplinary team of educators to guide medical fellows in their education about palliative medicine. The annual fellowship aims to train and provide essential experience to early and mid-career physicians, from different specialty backgrounds, to help them become the next generation of highly skilled providers in palliative medicine, including hospice.
Specialized training and guidance for your career
Participants in the Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship program receive one year of graduate-level education and training after completing medical school and residency. Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care's role is to provide opportunities for physicians to learn patient care in community settings, including in patient homes and the inpatient setting at both Kansas City Hospice HouseTM and NorthCare Hospice House. This fellowship helps to develop physicians with specialty-level training in symptom management, communication skills to discuss critical illnesses and address death and dying, and ethical experience to identify what things are essential to patients and families so their goals of care are met.
Rotations include:
- Inpatient rotations at Kansas City Hospice House™.
- Home and long-term care visits to hospice and palliative care patients with KCH.
- A pediatric rotation with the Carousel pediatric hospice and palliative care program’s home care team.
- In addition, fellows will rotate through inpatient palliative care consultation at University of Kansas Medical Center and North Kansas City Hospital, palliative care ambulatory outpatient clinics, and have the opportunity to tailor elective time to areas of interest.
The program is accredited by the American Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and accepts applicants with a degree in either Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Learn More
If you are interested in applying for the fellowship, the fellowship participates in the ERAS application system. If you have questions about the fellowship, please visit the University of Kansas Palliative Fellowship site or contact Cheryl Jacobson, fellowship coordinator at cjacobson@kumc.edu or 913-588-0348.
For more information about palliative medicine as a specialty, visit the following sites:
Opportunities For Students In Healthcare Fields
Educational programs, including internships and clinical experiences, are available to students and professionals in healthcare through Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care. We make these opportunities available to develop new skills and expand student knowledge about providing hospice and palliative care and serving patients and families. Opportunities are available in:
- Nursing
- Medicine
- Physicians seeking a fellowship
- Chaplains and ministry
- Social work (MSW)
- Medical records/information systems
- Other related fields
High school and college students may learn about hospice work through our volunteer program. For more information, please contact Kelli Traylor at 816.276.2749 or inquire online.