First-hand insights on the KCH Fellowship Program

By Dr. Alexander Lane, DO, KCH Associate Medical Director
Published:  July 26, 2022

With the return of the July heat comes another Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH) tradition, starting a new cycle of fellows. Every year our company participates as one of the core sites of the hospice and palliative care fellowship program associated with the University of Kansas Health System. 

Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care has been involved in training new and aspiring physicians with the skills necessary to pursue careers in hospice and palliative care for years. I have a unique perspective in this regard, being a graduate of this training program, now a physician employed by our agency, and having the opportunity to be a site director for the fellowship program and the primary educator for the fellows as they work and learn at the Kansas City Hospice House on Wornall Road in South Kansas City. 

Kansas City Hospice House is one of three sites where fellows receive training.

The fellowship consists of three primary sites, Kansas University, North Kansas City Hospital, and the Kansas City Hospice House. At these locations, the fellows focus on learning:

• Skills and nuance required to discuss critical illnesses with patients and families
• How to address death and dying while also educating patients and family members about what to expect going forward
• To identify what things are essential to our patients and families so that we share and advocate for their goals of care with all other members of their team 

Dr. Alex Lane, KCH Fellowship Site Director

As patients continue to get treatment and support from their care teams, the fellows also learn to assess and manage a plethora of potentially debilitating symptoms, and get trained to integrate seamlessly with nurses, care partners, chaplains, social workers, volunteers, nurse practitioners, other physicians, and everyone else that helps us provide the best care we can for the people we serve. This fellowship is a tremendous opportunity for growth and I am very thankful that I was a participant. 

In addition, I am excited to be involved as one of the educators allowed to continue this tradition and train future generations of physicians that are dedicated to bring expert care, peace of mind, comfort, guidance, and hope to people affected by life limiting illness.