AMSA-VITAS End of Life Education Fellowship Program
June 21, 2010 through July 30, 2010
Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, FL
Program Fees*: $0.00
Fellows Stipend*: $350/week toward room & board
Application Deadline: Complete applications must be received in the AMSA Foundation office on or before Monday, March 22, 2010 by e-mail or postal service.
*The AMSA-VITAS End of Life Education Fellowship is a program of the AMSA Foundation and made possible through the generous support of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.
Are you comfortable educating the patient and family about the dying process?
Are you ready to respond to patients who request assistance in dying?
Do you feel ready to break bad news to patients?
Would you benefit from more End of Life care training?
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Foundation's End of Life Education Fellowship Program is a six-week summer experience designed to introduce medical students to end of life (EOL) care issues. Vitas Innovative Hospice Care will coordinate a series of weekly seminars on end of life care with field placements. Students will be part of an interdisciplinary hospice team consisting of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, and volunteers. They will also be expected to research and develop end of life curricula to be implemented at their medical schools and to be shared on the web with medical schools across the nation. A stipend will be provided to assist with living expenses while in the program.
Consider applying for the 2010 End of Life Education Fellowship Program:
- Develop and practice basic interviewing and communication skills essential to EOL care
- Understand the psychological, sociological, cultural and spiritual aspects of death and dying
- Understand the pathophysiology and management of common symptoms at the end of life
- Recognize and respond to cultural, linguistic, and spiritual diversity
- Design and develop a plan for integrating EOL education into the curricula of the students' medical schools and residency programs.
Comments from students who have participated in the EOL Fellowship Program:
"I am more comfortable with my own death & being with those who are dying. I see myself as more compassionate & strong."
"This fellowship made me realize just how much I enjoy dealing with the psychosocial aspects of medicine. I realize that in order to have a fulfilling career, I need to specialize in a field that has a lot of psychosocial involvement."
"I fear my own death less than before this program. I have learned much about the dying process and management of associated symptoms that I expect to approach my own death anxiety free."
"By helping people die, we are also helping them live."
APPLICATION PROCESS
The AMSA Foundation's AMSA-VITAS End-of-Life Education Fellowship Program is a 6-week summer program. Applications are now available and due to the AMSA Foundation on or before March 22, 2010. A selection committee will review all applications and final selections will be made by early April. You must have completed your first year of medical school by June 2010 to apply for this program. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
The letter of reference should be from someone who is familiar with the student's character, abilities, and interests in end of life care. If possible, please provide a reference from a faculty member that is interested in being a mentor for you as you develop end of life curricula and integrate it into your medical school education.
Send completed applications to:
foundation@amsa.org
Attn: Shari Dogbo
American Medical Student Association Foundation
1902 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191