The postgraduate Norton Healthcare Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Program is designed to transition graduate physician assistants and nurse practitioners from general practice to specialized practice in a number of areas, including acute care and oncology.

Each year, the program offers fellow positions in various specialties. The nine- to 12-month program contains a mix of instruction and clinical experiences throughout the postgraduate year. Fellows will participate in structured postgraduate education training experiences within Norton Healthcare to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in patient care, research and education.

Fellows completing the critical care and emergency medicine tracks also will complete a longitudinal teaching certificate program through Sullivan University to develop and hone knowledge, skills and confidence in the areas of teaching and precepting.

This fellowship is an active member of the Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs and will seek a fellowship accreditation.

Available Fellowships

• Critical care
• Emergency medicine
• Neonatology (physician assistant only)
• Oncology

Application Requirements

Interested candidates must be graduates or candidates for graduation from an Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant-accredited master’s degree physician assistant program or Master of Science in nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education-accredited program.  Interested candidates must successfully pass the relevant board exams and be eligible for or have an active Kentucky license. 

The following must be submitted with the application:

• Three letters of recommendation (one from physician assistant or nurse practitioner program; others must be from a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner), with contact information
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of intent (one to two pages)
• Active Basic Life Support/Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certifications (appropriate to specialty track)

Applications must be submitted via single email (ideally together in one PDF file) to the program director. | Email

Application Process

• Applications are open from January through March and July through September of each calendar year.
• Applicants will be notified if selected to move forward in the interview process. 
• Once fellowship positions are filled, applications may be held for consideration in future cohorts.

Fellowship Program Faculty

• Lennea E. Coombs, MHS, PA-C, program director, Norton Healthcare Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Program | Email
• Robert M. Hoerner, M.D., pulmonologist and medical director, Norton Healthcare Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship | Email
• Erin Chalmers, DMSc, MSPAS, PA-C, coordinator, Norton Healthcare Sullivan University Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Program | Email

Critical Care Fellowship

The nine- to 12-month critical care fellowship is designed to transition graduate nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the specialized practice of critical care medicine.

Critical care fellowship faculty coordinator:

• Michelle G. “Shelley” Urquhart, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C | Email

Emergency Medicine Fellowship

The nine- to 12-month emergency medicine fellowship is designed to transition graduate nurse practitioners and physician assistants to specialized practice in emergency medicine with a variety of specialized rotations.

Emergency medicine faculty coordinators:

• Matthew D. Kirk, PA-C | Email
• Lauren M. Flaherty, PA-C | Email

Neonatology Fellowship (physician assistant only)

The nine- to 12-month month neonatology fellowship is designed to transition graduate physician assistants to the specialized practice of neonatology.

• Lela “Leann” Baker, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, C-ONQS | Email

Oncology Fellowship

The nine- to 12-month oncology fellowship is designed to transition graduate nurse practitioners and physician assistants to specialized practice in oncology with opportunities for subspecialization.

Oncology fellowship faculty coordinator:

Lennea E. Coombs, MHS, PA-C | Email