Didactic and Community-Based Curriculum

Online Didactics: Our fellowship is part of a weekly online collaborative that brings together addiction psychiatry and addiction medicine fellows from programs across the United States to participate in live, video-based didactic instruction. Didactic education covers the biological, psychological, and social theories of addiction. Fellows gain expertise in evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies for a wide variety of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions.

In-person and Community-Based Instruction: Outside of the online didactic collaborative, fellows engage in person in locally tailored educational experiences, such as grand rounds, journal clubs, and scholarly projects. Fellows also participate in community-based “site visits” to understand addiction treatment in carceral and forensic settings, peer-led mutual self-help groups, recovery residences (so-called Halfway Houses), and harm reduction programs.

Psychotherapy Training

While evidence-based medications can be lifesaving, psychotherapeutic treatments remain the foundation of addiction treatment. Fellows deliver group therapy during clinical rotations and carry an individual therapy caseload in their continuity clinic. Supervision is provided individually during outpatient rotations and in a group format throughout the year. Training focuses on cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy. However, fellows can receive training in other modalities depending on their individual interests and the needs of their patients.

Clinical Rotations

Our program offers robust clinical training through rotations in a variety of practice settings. Additionally, fellows maintain an outpatient continuity clinic throughout the entire academic year (one half-day per week).

Core clinical rotations include:

• Mount Sinai West Outpatient Addiction Treatment Program (three to four months): Group-based outpatient treatment, as well as a “medication-first” harm reduction program; fellows manage co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) and other psychiatric conditions and become proficient in group therapy for SUD treatment.
• Mount Sinai West Inpatient Detox/Rehab Unit (three months): 24-bed unit providing medically-managed withdrawal and psychosocial rehabilitation services, managing psychiatric and general medical co-morbidities
• Mount Sinai Morningside and West Addiction Consultation and Evaluation Service (one month): Assisting medical and surgical services in addressing co-occurring SUDs, including initiating SUD treatment during hospitalization and facilitating transitions to community-based treatment
• James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center outpatient treatment program (three to four months): Group-based outpatient treatment and an integrated opioid treatment program (including methadone maintenance)
• Elective Rotations (two blocks, each two weeks long): Fellows can choose from a variety of elective options (see below for more information)
• Comprehensive Adolescent Rehabilitation and Education Service (three to four weeks): A therapeutic high school offering integrated substance use and other mental health treatment

Specialty Electives

Fellows typically select two electives, each two weeks long, to complete during the academic year. With advanced planning, it is often possible to incorporate additional elective time. Examples of elective rotations include:

• Neuromodulation and Interventional Psychiatry (i.e., ketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation)
• Addiction treatment in carceral settings (at Rikers Island)
• Harm Reduction
• Opioid Treatment Program 2.0 (i.e., advanced methadone treatment)
• Integrated primary care and addiction treatment (REACH Clinic)
• OB/GYN and perinatal/postpartum addiction treatment (Bridge Program)
• Pain Management
• Research elective

Research and Scholarship

Fellows participate in a variety of scholarly activities, including presentations at journal clubs, grand rounds, and our monthly Addiction Club. Trainees can also develop mentored projects, such as scoping reviews or conference presentations. For those interested in physician-scientist careers, we can consider requests for a second year of fellowship with substantial allotted time for research and collaboration with internationally renowned scientists and researchers. A wide range of research opportunities are available, spanning basic science, neuroimaging, human laboratory studies, and treatment outcomes.

Addiction Psychiatry fellows at Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West are members of the Committee for Interns and Residents, a union representing the needs of interns and residents around the country.

Fellows receive a salary that is commensurate with other fellowship programs in New York City. The hospitals offer a comprehensive set of benefits, including individual and family health insurance, vision care, dental coverage, and accidental death and disability insurance. There is full malpractice coverage for all clinical activities performed in the course of duty.

Fellows do not take calls and all clinical duties are in compliance with New York State Public Health Law, Part 405, which safely limits resident/fellow working hours. Each academic year, fellows receive four weeks of paid vacation, four personal days, and three days of paid conference time. Sick leave and parental leave are available as needed.

As a service to fellows and other professional staff, Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West maintain subsidized housing in midtown Manhattan near Columbus Circle. The buildings offer convenient locations at below market rates. Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments are available, in addition to parking. Rent and parking fees are paid by payroll deduction.

Additional benefits and perks include:

• $750 per academic year reimbursement for educational materials
• $1,000 per academic year for reimbursement of conference fees and travel for fellows who are giving conference or poster presentations (domestic conferences only)
• Discounts to restaurants, shows, museums, and other activities throughout New York City

Eligible applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited psychiatry residency, possess a valid New York State medical license, and hold an individual Drug Enforcement Agency number. We participate in the National Resident Matching Program and accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS). Applications are accepted from July 3 to September 1 each academic year (Program ID# 2070401F0).

We accept up to four fellows per year for the one-year fellowship. There is an optional second year dedicated to research.

To apply, you must include the following in your application:

• Completed ERAS application form
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one must be from the psychiatry residency program director)
• Medical school transcript
• Dean’s letter from your medical school, better known as the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
• Official United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) transcript (Passing score for Steps 1, 2CK, 2CS, and 3).
• COMLEX scores are an acceptable substitute for USMLE
• Graduates from medical schools outside the United States or Canada must also provide an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Certification Status Report

After receipt of your completed application, your materials will be reviewed by the Fellowship Selection Committee. Our interview and selection process begins in early September and runs through mid-October. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive an invitation by email and may select a date through our online scheduling system.

International Medical School Graduates

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited psychiatry residency in the United States or Canada. Applicants must have passed all parts of the USMLE (or COMLEX). Our hospital sponsors J1 visas, if all the necessary criteria are met.