Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship

Palliative medicine plays a vital role in modern healthcare by improving quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness. Through compassionate communication, expert symptom management, and interdisciplinary collaboration, palliative care specialists help individuals navigate complex medical conditions while ensuring that treatment plans align with each patient’s goals, values, and preferences. As healthcare continues to evolve, the need for physicians trained in this specialized field has never been greater. By the end of the year our fellows will be skilled in complex symptom management and equipped to handle any difficult goals of care conversation. Our fellows will be prepared to practice in any palliative or hospice setting.

Training at Ochsner offers fellows the opportunity to work within one of the Gulf South’s leading healthcare systems, caring for a diverse patient population across a variety of clinical settings. Fellows gain experience supporting patients with advanced illnesses, chronic conditions, and complex medical needs while developing expertise in pain and symptom management, serious illness communication, advance care planning, and end-of-life care. Through close mentorship and hands-on clinical experiences, trainees learn how to address the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of patient care.

The fellowship emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach that reflects the core principles of palliative medicine. Fellows collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care that supports both patients and their families. This team-based environment fosters professional growth while providing valuable insight into the many factors that influence quality of life and healthcare decision-making.

Beyond clinical training, fellows are encouraged to engage in scholarly activities, quality improvement initiatives, and educational experiences that promote lifelong learning and professional development. The program cultivates strong communication skills, clinical judgment, and leadership abilities that are essential for success in a variety of healthcare settings.

Through rigorous training, dedicated mentorship, and a commitment to compassionate care, the Palliative Care Fellowship Program at Ochsner Health prepares physicians to become skilled advocates for patients with serious illness and trusted leaders in the growing field of palliative medicine.

Thank you for considering our program!