Our Goal
The goal of the TidalHealth Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship is to develop physicians who are clinically and compassionately skilled in providing comprehensive care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
The program will train fellows who can manage complex symptoms, support patients and families emotionally, and facilitate shared decision-making. Fellows will become leaders in advocating for patient rights, understanding the social determinants of health, and integrating palliative care principles into medicine.
The program will provide fellows with exposure to inpatient, ambulatory, home care, and long-term care settings while emphasizing an environment of lifelong learning and scholarly endeavors.
The fellowship’s mission aligns with TidalHealth’s goal to provide high-quality, accessible, and patient-centered care to the local communities, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations from diverse socio-economic, racial, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
Welcome From Our Program Director
We are thrilled to welcome you to the TidalHealth Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship program! Thank you for your interest in joining us, and congratulations on completing your residency journey. We are excited to offer you the opportunity to explore our one-year ACGME-accredited fellowship, designed to prepare you for a fulfilling career in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Each year, we recruit two fellows who will benefit from a broad and enriching clinical experience. Our fellowship program is supported by a dedicated team, including myself as Program Director, Dr. Salmonsen as Associate Program Director, a large and diverse teaching faculty with expertise across various specialties, and a Program Coordinator who ensures a smooth and organized experience for all fellows.
Our goal is to provide comprehensive exposure to clinical practice, while also integrating essential literature in the field to prepare you for board certification and future medical practice. Throughout the year, fellows will rotate through:
- Inpatient Palliative Care consultation services
- Outpatient Palliative Care Clinics
- Coastal Hospice (with two inpatient sites in Salisbury and Berlin, MD, and home hospice care)
- A two-week rotation at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
We emphasize continuity of care, allowing you to build strong relationships with patients and gain deep insight into both inpatient and outpatient management.
In addition to core clinical experiences, fellows will have the opportunity to pursue electives in areas such as:
- Pain Management
- Medical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Addiction Medicine
We also support fellows in tailoring their electives based on personal interests and their relevance to Palliative Medicine. The population we serve on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake faces a significant burden of chronic disease and health disparities, which enhances the importance and impact of our work.
As part of the fellowship, each fellow is expected to complete a research project by the end of the year, with the goal of presenting at a regional or national conference and possibly publishing the results.
Our faculty brings a wealth of diverse experience in clinical medicine, ranging from Internal Medicine and Hospitalist Medicine (Dr. Salmonsen) to Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (myself). We are both board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and are committed to ensuring you receive excellent training. Our integrated Palliative Care team includes Nurse Practitioners (4), Registered Nurse (1), Social Workers (2), Chaplains (2), and an experienced administrative team. Together, we are committed to creating a supportive, collaborative, and enriching learning environment.
We look forward to welcoming you to our program and wish you the best as you explore a future in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Warm regards,
Edward J. Dunn, MD, ScD
Program Director
Meet the Team
Additional Graduate Medical Education Programs
- Anesthesiology Residency
- Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
- Critical Care Medicine Fellowship
- Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism Fellowship
- Family Medicine Residency
- Gastroenterology Fellowship
- General Surgery Residency
- Geriatric Medicine FellowshipHealthcare Administration, Leadership & Management Fellowship
- Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship
- Hospice & Palliative Medicine FellowshipInfectious Disease Fellowship
- Internal Medicine Residency
- Neurology Residency
- Nephrology Fellowship
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency
- Psychiatry Residency
- Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Medicine Fellowship
- Rheumatology Fellowship
- Sleep Medicine Fellowship
- Transitional Year Residency
