Message from the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Director
A Message from the Program Director
Dear Prospective Fellows,
We are thrilled to introduce you to our Hospice and Palliative Care fellowship program at the Creighton University School of Medicine – Phoenix.
Our Mission
We aim to cultivate compassionate, emotionally intelligent, clinically rigorous, and deeply patient-centered physicians who balance medical excellence with human presence while providing holistic and patient-centered care to individuals with serious, life-limiting illnesses. Through comprehensive training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice, our program aims to empower fellows to become leaders in the field, dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients and their families. We commit to fostering an environment that promotes continuous learning, ethical decision-making, and advanced clinical proficiency of pain and symptom management.
Program Highlights
Interdisciplinary Team: Our program features an interdisciplinary team of fellowship-trained physicians, nurse practitioners, chaplains, nurse coordinators and social workers, all working together to provide you with a holistic educational experience.
Clinical Training Sites: Fellows train at diverse locations within the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance, including St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center—a nationally recognized 600-bed quaternary care center featuring the Barrow Neurological Institute and Norton Thoracic Institute—and Valleywise Health Medical Center, which provides safety-net care and hosts our longitudinal outpatient palliative clinic. Additional specialty sites include free-standing hospices, pediatric hospitals, and home hospice services.
Hospice Experience: We partner with Hospice of the Valley, one of the largest hospices in the country, known for its high family satisfaction ratings and educational programs. Our collaboration offers extensive training with experienced physicians across multiple settings, including a state-of-the-art dementia campus and inpatient hospice units.
Academic Opportunities: Our education alliance hosts over 100 residents, fellows and medical students annually, along with nursing and nurse practitioner students, fostering a rich and vibrant educational environment. Additionally, our program is part of the [Phoenix Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Consortium], which meets weekly on Thursday mornings for didactics, journal club, board review. This opportunity to be part of an expanded palliative education network grants access to specialty guest lectures, enhanced community, and greater fellow support. Lastly, Attendance of the AAHPM Annual Assembly is encouraged.
Wellness Support: Our GME team is committed to supporting fellows through the rigors of graduate medical training, and actively promotes resilience, burnout awareness, personal well-being and work-life balance. We offer dedicated time and resources to ensure the well-being of our fellows and staff.
Electives: Fellows can choose from a wide range of electives, including advanced heart failure with LVAD, interventional pain, neuropalliative care, medical and radiation oncology hybrid month, pediatric palliative care at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and more.
Warmly,
Kyle Phipps, DO
Why choose our fellowship?
Responsive Leadership: Train under approachable leadership that actively values fellow input and continuously evolves the program based on your feedback.
Unmatched Quality of Life in Phoenix: Enjoy an exceptional climate with over 300 days of sunshine, year-round outdoor activities, and a booming culinary scene offering an ideal setting to maintain wellness and a true work-life balance.
Advanced Clinical Autonomy: Gain the command and competence needed for independent practice through a diverse, high-volume patient mix.
Next Steps: We would be honored for you to join our team. We invite you to apply through the ERAS GME Fellowship Application System. Please visit the “How to Apply” webpage.
