Clinical Pain Medicine Fellowship

A world-class, ACGME-accredited pain program


Our fellowship program focuses on comprehensive, interdisciplinary, collaborative training in and treatment of acute, chronic, and cancer pain.

The specialty of Pain Medicine has experienced remarkable change over the last several decades, and we’ve been at the forefront of these changes from clinical, educational and research perspectives.

Inside the Fellowship: A Day in the Life
Ever wondered what a day in the life of a Stanford Pain fellow looks like? Get a glimpse into Stanford Pain Fellow Alice Li's dynamic, rewarding routine in sunny Palo Alto.



What makes Stanford's pain fellowship special?

As leaders in pain medicine innovation, we harness Silicon Valley's inventive spirit to develop groundbreaking treatments and research that shapes the future of healthcare. Fellows learn and practice the medical, interventional, physical and behavioral aspects of pain medicine so that upon graduation, they will be successful pain medicine physicians in both academic and community practices.

  • Stanford Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Pain Program (SCIPP) – only med-behavioral inpatient unit of its kind in the western United States
  • Faculty consisting of anesthesiology, PM&R, neurology, and dentistry, along with complex case managers, pain physical therapists and pain psychologists housed in the same outpatient center
  • Subspecialty clinics allow fellows to have a more in depth experience with a variety of pain issues including, headache, orofacial pain, pelvic pain, spine, GI, and addiction medicine.

Our program will open the door to a broad array of career paths and prepare you to make a difference in the lives of patients.

“SCIPP is a rare opportunity to make significant, expeditious, and lasting change for a patient with chronic pain in a safe and supportive environment, change that would take months or more in an outpatient setting and might otherwise not happen.
Dr. Zachary Landman, former fellow

Pioneering Progress is At Our Core:

Our Curriculum

Rotation Schedule

Our fellows gain experience by treating a complex and diverse patient population in various clinical settings. Fellows divide their time at four training sites throughout the year.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, fellows are expected to attend weekly didactic lectures, teaching rounds, monthly journal club meetings, grand rounds, and mortality and morbidity conferences.

Responsive Table

Location Duration Procedures
Stanford Medicine Outpatient Center 7 Months Pain Clinic, Clinic Procedures, Ultrasound Procedures, and O.R Procedures
Stanford Hospital 2 Months SCIPP, Acute Pain Service, and O.R. Procedures
VA Palo Alto 2 Months Pain Clinic and O.R. Procedures
External Rotation 1 Week Each Pediatric Pain, Palliative Care, Academic time
Vacation and Academic Days ~3 Weeks Vacation and Conference days

Education Offerings

Our community of interdisciplinary leaders are not only experts in providing patient care but also caring for the next generation. Becoming a Stanford Pain Fellow enters you into a lifelong community of colleagues and mentors who are dedicated to providing the best possible outcomes for patients.

A Diverse Range of Experiences

The Stanford Division of Pain Medicine offers an unparalleled experience merging numerous disciplines to offer a unique educational experience as well as offering patients the best clinical care possible. 

Interdisciplinary Case Conference

We have weekly team conferences where physicians, fellows, psychologists, complex case managers, and physical therapists discuss complex patient cases, offering fellows the opportunity to learn the interdisciplinary approach to treating chronic pain patients. 

Stanford Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Pain Program (SCIPP)

Stanford offers the only med-behavioral inpatient pain experience in the western United States. SCIPP is an interdisciplinary inpatient admission program run jointly by pain physicians, physical therapists and pain psychologists working together to manage complex pain patients. Fellows also help manage admissions for DHE infusions, ketamine infusions, and lidocaine infusions.






Application Information

Your application will not be reviewed until all materials have been received. We do not require ITE, AKT, or SAE scores

All positions will be matched using the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Please submit all application documents via ERAS (requirements detailed below). 

  • Curriculum Vitae

  • Personal Statement

  • Photo

  • Medical School Transcript/USMLE scores

  • Dean's Letter

  • 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)

ECFMG Certificate and visa information, (J1 only) if applicable

More information on the Match is available on the National Resident Matching Program website. We offer multiple start dates on the first of July, August and January. Please review these California medical licensing requirements.


FAQ

Explore frequent questions about the clinical pain medicine fellowship

My fellowship question was not answered, who can I talk to?

Please direct your questions to:

Ashley Johnson
(650) 721-7212
Ashley85@stanford.edu