UCSD/Scripps Health Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program

Thank you for your interest in the UCSD/Scripps Health Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program.

We are proud to continue a long tradition of training excellence, starting at San Diego Hospice in 2000, followed by ACGME-accreditation of our program in 2008 when Scripps Mercy Hospital partnered with San Diego Hospice as the sponsoring institution. In 2013, Scripps Mercy Hospital became the primary teaching site for the fellowship, and in 2015 the program transitioned to the UCSD Graduate Medical Education Department. Through our shared history, we have graduated over 140 fellows to date.

In a unique partnership, UCSD and Scripps Health share responsibility for the fellows, with trainees spending equal time in both institutions with all the benefits of both institutions. We are also pleased to be partnering with The Elizabeth Hospice and Sharp Hospice to provide excellent training during our hospice rotations. Our combined faculty is thrilled to welcome your application to our program.

Our goal is to provide you the very best in HPM education, with close attention to your clinical, communication and teaching skills, as well as your personal and professional growth. Our interdisciplinary faculty is deeply committed to the future of our field and your development. You will have the opportunity to train in multiple settings, including UCSD hospitals in La Jolla and Hillcrest, Scripps Health hospitals, Rady Children’s Hospital, UCSD and Scripps outpatient palliative care clinics, Sharp Hospice houses, long-term care facilities, and in the community.

San Diego is a fantastic place to live and train, with access to the ocean, desert and mountains all within a few hours away. It is a diverse, welcoming city, and we think you will find entertainment, outdoor activities and neighborhoods to suit your preference.

Quality of life is important to our patients and to us, and San Diego provides ample opportunity for exploration and relaxation in your free time.

Please take a look at our program, and please contact us with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Toluwalasé “Lasé” Ajayi, MD, and Holly Yang, MD

Program Directors

UCSD/Scripps Health Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship

To acquire the education and training needed to effectively care for people with serious or life-threatening illnesses, clinical rotations provide trainees with opportunities to: 

• Participate as an integral member of interdisciplinary care teams
• Develop and manage patient care plans
• Facilitate continuity of care

View the 2024-2025 fellow rotation schedule (PDF, 100 KB).

The UCSD/Scripps hospice and palliative medicine faculty is dedicated to preparing physicians to competently work in a variety of palliative care and hospice settings, while taking an interdisciplinary approach to provide compassionate care.

The faculty is comprised of physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers and other health care providers.

Our physician faculty includes: 

• Toluwalasé “Lasé” Ajayi, MD (Program Director, UCSD)
• Holly Yang, MD (Program Director, Scripps Health)
• Enma Alvarado, MD
• Kimberly Bower, MD
• Laurence Boggeln, MD 
• Heather Bruner, MD
• Gary Buckholz, MD
• Alexa Chavez, MD 
• Sonya Christianson, MD
• Rachel Cohn, MD
• Ami Doshi, MD
• Kyle Edmonds, MD
• Johanna Estrada, MD 
• Sarah Evans, MD
• Frank Ferris, MD
• Avnish Gill, MD
• Ruth Goodson, MD 
• Jeremy Hirst, MD
• Youngho “Paul” Kim, MD
• Vishva Lakshman, MD
• Guiyu “Lutetia” Li, MD
• Alexander Madonis, MD
• Krishelle Marc-Aurele, MD
• Paula Mesarwi, MD
• William “Bill” Mitchell, MD
• Cherine Moazam, DO 
• Robert “Clint” Morehead, MD
• Mike Montazeri, MD
• Tamara Rubenzik, MD
• Negin Salimi, DO
• Mayra Sanchez, MD
• Stephanie Schmitt, MD
• Jaime Sellers, MD
• Kira Skavinski, DO
• Elizabeth Sophy, MD
• David Tran, MD
• Charles von Gunten, MD
• Greg Winter, MD
• Kathryn Winters, MD
• Kevin Yang, MD 
• Heidi Yeung, MD
• Stephanie Yoon, MD

Annual salary for the academic year is consistent with UCSD PGY-4 salary. For the 2024-2025 academic year, UCSD PGY-4 salary is $95,549.

An additional stipend is available for your medical license fees and an education stipend of $750.

An optional retirement account is also available.

This fellowship will participate in the National Resident Match Program (NRMP) Specialties Matching Service for the 2025-2026 academic year. Applications will be accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). 

Please look for us and apply using “University of California (San Diego) Medical Center” as the program name.

We will be accepting applications through Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, or until our interview slots are full. It is best to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time to review your application for consideration of an interview and scheduling of an interview.

Match participation timeline*

ERAS opens for applicants: July 3, 2024

ERAS opens for programs: July 17, 2024

NRMP registration opens: August 21, 2024

Rank list opens: September 25, 2024

Rank list deadline: November 20, 2024

Match day: December 4, 2024