FAQs

We are recruiting 2 PRM fellows to start in July 2024.  In general, Colorado will recruit 2 fellows per year every year.

We are recruiting 1 Combined Pediatrics/PM&R Resident to start around end of June 2024.  In general, Colorado will recruit 1 Combined resident per year every year.

PRM Fellows apply via ERAS.

Our program uses the NRMP Match to recruit our fellows.

NRMP Program Code: 1076346F0

ACGME Program Code: 3460721001

• Botulinum toxin injections (by patient): 170-240

• Phenol injections (by patient): 70-90

• NCS/EMGs: 8-15 (including some laryngeal EMGs) with opportunities for more

• ITB pumps

  • Refills/programming: 20-30 with opportunities for more

  • Side port accesses/dye studies: 2-3

  • ITB test doses / LPs: 2-3 with opportunities for more

YES!  Colorado has so many clinical opportunities that fellows are each working as the only fellow in a given outpatient clinic.  The size of the program allows fellows to be a senior fellow (PGY-6) supervisor on the inpatient unit and have a graduated level of responsibility while working with PM&R residents.  Procedural numbers are also growing with the addition of opportunities to participate in procedures at South campus with Dr. Oleszek, just 30 minutes from the main medical campus.  

Our fellows participate in teaching on inpatient rounds, outpatient clinics, didactics and various presentations.  The PGY-6 fellows have a role of supervisor on the inpatient unit during their inpatient months and lead rounds with a PM&R resident and faculty member, teaching the resident about pediatric rehabiliation medical care.  PGY-5 fellows can also be paired with with a medical student or resident as well during inpatient or consult rotations.  Fellows engage in an active learning process during our didactic sessions, often presenting the learning topics or various aspects of a given article that was assigned.  University of Colorado also offers a Residents and Fellows as Medical Educators elective that is currently held in May and December of each year.  If a fellow has an interest in medical education development, this elective is an opportunity to learn more about those areas in a structured course. 

During fellowship, each fellow is loaned a TeleHealth-ready laptop and a cubicle space in the Administration Pavilion (just north of the hospital and attached via indoor walkway) with a laptop docking station with an additional keyboard and monitors. Additional software (EndNote, RStudio, Tableau, etc) can easily be installed with assistance from the CHCO HelpDesk.

We have had fellows start later than early July due to birth of children and need for time with an infant.  If there are other needs to start later than the CU GME start date (July 8th each year), you can work with the Program Director to see if accommodations can be made.    

Combined residents usually start June 23rd (orientations starting mid-June) and should inquire with the Pediatrics program if they need a different start date for intern year. 

Fellows and residents take first call for the Rehabilitation program while on call.  Trainees get 0-5 calls during an evening, with calls from 10pm-7am maybe 1-3 times per week.  Trainees go into the hospital to do scheduled rounds on Saturdays and Sundays with a faculty member.  Trainees would go into the hospital at other times when on call if needed, such as for an ITB pump interrogation (this occurs 2-3 times in a 2 year fellowship) or if concerned about a significant change in a patient's status.  Most medical questions while on call can be managed from home, calling consultants, placing orders in Epic, deciding if the child needs in-person assessment from the Rapid Response Team (RRT).  

The Fitzsimmons Early Learning Center is the on-campus daycare. The center gives admission priority to CHCO employees and secondary priority to CU employees, such as fellows. Due to the long waitlist, fellows are encouraged to check for openings as soon as they match. Fellows can also find quality care at Primrose, Goddard, local private centers, or find a private care provider on Care.com.

CHCO has 15 lactation rooms with professional grade pumps available as well as lactation nurses for consultations if needed. Breaks to pump are provided as needed by a fellow. Faculty are fully supportive of fellows who are breastfeeding, many having had kids in the last few years themselves. Per ACGME guidelines, refrigeration facilities for milk storage are available at the hospital as well. 

Our program has returned to normal educational and clinical work in the COVID-19 pandemic.  We continue to hold our broad number of clinics, procedures and educational sessions.  Educational funds for fellows have varied during the COVID-19 pandemic, see program for most updated information.

Fellow are provided PPE per hospital guidelines.  Masks are provided daily and face shields are provided to fellows.  Fellows are fit with an N-95 mask that undergoes monitoring from Infection Control.  CHCO does not allow a fellow to do face to face clinical care if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.  All staff are screened at the start of work.  COVID-19 testing is readily available to staff and fellows who may have symptoms concerning for an illness.

Fellowship applicants interested in a research career or additional research time are encouraged to discuss these interests with the Program Direction regarding options and opportunities.

Most matriculating fellows from PM&R residencies take ABPMR Part I in the fall of PGY-5 year and ABPMR Part II in the spring of PGY-5 year.  CU GME has not historically allowed for educational fund use for board examination fees. Fellows take PRM boards in the fall following graduation, often having negotiated some financial coverage with their future jobs for PRM boards fees.

100% of our graduates who have sat for their PRM boards have successfully passed ABPM&R Part I and Part II.  

Given the rigor of and opportunities for clinical learning, fellows are encouraged to study for Part I and Part II PM&R boards throughout their training. Fellows are given 1-2 non-clinical half days of "Admin time" weekly. This time can be used for charting, doing Canvas didactic readings, studying, research/QSI projects, etc. If fellows need additional time to study to pass boards, they can discuss the need with the Program Director and, if necessary, can consider taking vacation time if desired.

Fellows on outpatient rotation block are scheduled with 1-2 non-clinical half days of weekly time for completion of fellowship requirements.  This time can be used for educational training both formal structured lecture sessions or self-directed learning. This time should be used to advance the clinical and educational work of a fellow and can be used for patient charting and follow-up care, doing Canvas didactic readings, studying, working on aspects of academic projects, completing lecture surveys, GME duty hour logging, procedural logging, e-mail responses, clinic preparation for future clinics, meeting with mentors, etc. 

Colorado PRM Fellows and Residents have all been highly recruited for the PRM jobs nationally and we are proud to watch them land their "top job."  They have all been able to interview at their desired programs and explore many job opportunities while in fellowship.  For interviews, residents and fellows budget their GME allotted leave time for interviews.  Any additional time needed beyond that would need to be approved by the Program Director.

We understand that sickness and minor illnesses happen, requiring a trainee to not work around patients.  The trainee notifies the program director and the faculty member they would be working with for the day.  The trainee would just not do clinical work for the day and work from home or care for their health needs.   Our faculty also has many children among them so we understand the need of parents when a child is ill.  Check-out GME's sick policies for specific information and sick leave policy.

Trainees' wellness is important in order to take care of kid at the hospital.  Their own appointments are important and also there are needs to take family members to appointments too.  Residents and Fellows often schedule visits during an outpatient month and then notify the program director that they would like their "Admin time" during a specified half day or day.  If visits are needed during inpatient or consult months, then the fellow would just notify the program director who would excuse the fellow from clinical duties to take care of their necessary appointments.  GME sick days can also be used for medical appointment. 

Fellows have access to all of the CU GME Wellness and Mental health supports for confidential care.  Fellows can just schedule an appointment and the program director will excuse from any clinical duties for any appointments.