I found that application information was scarce when I was looking to apply for an amputation rehabilitation fellowship. So as a future fellow at the University of Washington (Seattle Puget Sound Veterans Hospital), I will provide you with the information I used.
There are three established programs currently (listed below). There are talks that new programs are on the horizon. However, no further information is available. Commonly only one applicant per institution, however University of Washington will be accepting two fellows for 2023-2024.
- University of Washington (Seattle) (Puget Sound Veterans Hospital)
- Virginia CommonWealth University (McGuire VA Medical Center)
- Veteran’s Affairs Tampa, Florida (James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital)
The application process is straightforward. Each program asks you to provide three letters of recommendation, including one from your program director, a personal statement, and a copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
Tampa will conduct in-person interviews if selected, and Seattle will be virtual.
Virginia: I am unsure of the interview process, since I spoke to them after they had already accepted a fellow. However, the program director conducted an informal phone conversation (approx.: 30 mins). They have a solid program.
Seattle: was a virtual interview conducted one afternoon between the program director and others within the department. Each interview lasted approximately 15mins or so per person. It was conversational instead of grilling questions (not like residency or medical school interviews).
Tampa: I had already been accepted to the Seattle program and decided to withdraw from this application. They would conduct a live interview with multiple personal from the program and you would be able to tour the facilities. The program director did conduct an informal phone conversation to talk about the field (approx. 30 mins). I highly appreciated this gesture, and they have a great program.
Top (3) Questions that they may ask: 1) Why do you want this fellowship 2) What attracted you to this field 3) What is your experience in this field? During the national conferences: AAPM&R and AAP, I recommend you network and introduce yourself to program directors, fellows, and others in this field.
For more information on the Veterans Amputation System of Care click here. Also recently published 10 year outcomes can be found here.
If you would like more information, have questions or know of other programs, feel free to reach out to me here.
TLDR:
- There are three programs: Seattle, Virginia and Tampa
- Items you will need to apply : 1) 3 letters of recommendation including one from your program director 2) Personal Statement and 3) Curriculum Vitale
- Seattle’s application due date is mid November, and Tampa application due date is beginning of October. Virginia is rolling basis, email them for more information.
- All program directors are approachable, email them for more information.
Good luck. I hope you learned something.