An important part of the fellowship experience is to not only improve your knowledge and clinical skills, but to emerge into a future leader in healthcare. At the University of Iowa, we aim to provide you with a foundation for success with the following programs:

Fellows Advancement in Clinical Education (FACE)

The FACE Program is offered to fellows identified by their Program Directors as having a high interest in being a clinical educator. The program focuses on clinical teaching skills, observation and feedback, small group teaching, and interactive lecture development. Fellows have found that it provides insight into improving teaching skills both as a fellow and as a future faculty.

LevelSet Leadership and Personal Development Program 

This year-long professional development and leadership initiative is designed to bridge the transition from fellowship to the attending role. Hosted by Leader On Boarding and supported by on-site faculty, the curriculum is focused on self-awareness, sustainable high performance, cultural alignment, and strategic mentorship with the aim that fellows will identify personal leadership gaps and cultivate skills to confidently deliver optimal outcomes, elevate integration of goals and visions, and tighten alignment with culture norms. Ultimately, this program challenges participants to examine their professional habits, embrace constructive feedback, and drive meaningful, systemic change by first mastering self-leadership.

Humanities Curriculum 

Additionally, we are introducing a Humanities Curriculum, held every fifth Thursday as a dedicated Humanities Half-Day. This protected educational experience provides fellows with the opportunity to explore the human, emotional, ethical, spiritual, and existential dimensions of serious illness and end-of-life care.

Through a variety of experiences—including reflective writing, literature, narrative medicine, visual arts, film, facilitated discussion, and shared storytelling—fellows are encouraged to examine the personal and professional impact of caring for patients with serious illness. The curriculum is designed to foster self-reflection, deepen empathy, enhance communication skills, and strengthen resilience while promoting a greater appreciation for the diverse experiences of patients, families, and healthcare professionals. 

By integrating the humanities into fellowship training, we aim to cultivate compassionate, reflective physicians who are equipped not only with clinical expertise but also with the insight and emotional intelligence necessary to provide exceptional patient-centered care.