Sleep Medicine Fellowship

Welcome to the University of Iowa Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program

Our program is a one year, ACGME-accredited fellowship that provides abundant experiences in adult and pediatric sleep disorders, polysomnogram interpretation, home sleep apnea testing, and clinical research opportunities.

Our fellows are trained by a multidisciplinary team of Sleep Medicine physicians at an AASM-accredited Sleep Disorders Center. You will have ample exposure to the management of patients with a variety of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorders, insomnia, sleep-related movement disorders, and parasomnia.

ACGME—We are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
AASM—We are part of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

About the Program

The goal of this fellowship is to train physicians who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in Neurology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Otolaryngology, Anesthesiology, or Family Medicine to become competent in the subspecialty of Sleep Medicine. Our fellows are expected to become proficient in the diagnosis and management of both adult and pediatric sleep disorders.

During the one-year fellowship, our fellows will acquire:

  • Skills in interviewing and examining patients with sleep disorders
  • Ability to formulate a focused differential diagnosis based on clinical presentation
  • Understanding of the appropriate utilization of procedures related to sleep assessment, including adult and pediatric polysomnogram, home sleep apnea testing, positive airway pressure titration, and multiple sleep latency testing
  • Ability to independently interpret sleep studies, including studies of medically complex patients
  • Exposure to a wide range of treatment options, including hypoglossal nerve stimulation, mandibular advancement devices, and formal cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i)
  • Opportunities in sleep-related research and quality improvement measures

Accreditation: After completing fellowship, fellows qualify to apply for certification through the American Board of Sleep Medicine Sleep Medicine Certification Program. This program is jointly developed by the ABIM, ABFM, ABP, ABPN, ABOto, and ABA (ABIM is responsible for administering the examination).

Quick Facts

How does your benefits, stipends, and contracts compare to other programs?

Benefits offered by University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics are competitive with other top training programs in the country.  Benefits include:

Stipends are also comparable to other top training programs in the country and in keeping with the cost of living in Iowa.

Contracts are issued to house staff each year until training concludes, and promotion at the end of each year is granted based on demonstrated clinical competence and professional growth. House staff members who do not meet standards for promotion to the next level of training may require remedial action, as deemed appropriate by the Program Director.

What is the eligibility criteria for applicants of a GME residency training program

Eligibility criteria for applicants of a GME residency or fellowship training program are: 

Graduate from one of the following: 

  • United States or Canadian medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) 
  • United States college of osteopathic medicine accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) 
  • Medical school outside the United States or Canada with: 
    • a valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and have a passing score for Step 1 and Step 2 of the USMLE, 
    • be a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident, or hold a visa which provides eligibility to work in the U.S. Typical visas are J-1 (requires Steps 1 and 2 of USMLE and ECFMG certification) and H1-B (requires departmental approval, Steps 1, 2 and 3 of USMLE, and a permanent Iowa medical license) 
  • Meet Iowa Board of Medicine licensure requirements. 
  • All applicants must also meet program eligibility requirements as defined by the ACGME’s respective RRC (for accredited programs) or the department (for non-accredited programs). 

Eligible applicants should apply directly to the residency or fellowship training program. Deadlines and application criteria vary; review those requirements at the individual program websites. Each program has specific guidelines for conducting interviews, what to expect during the interview, and American Board of Medical Specialties certification requirements. 

Is malpractice insurance provided?

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is an agency of the State of Iowa, which self-insures the tort liability of the State and its employees under the provisions of the State Tort Claims Act, Chapter 669, Code of Iowa. Resident and Fellow Physicians at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics are State employees for the purposes of the State Tort Claims Act. The coverage provided to Resident and Fellow Physicians by the State Tort Claims Act is occurrence coverage. 

Official Statement 

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is an agency of the State of Iowa, which self insures the tort liability of the State and its employees under the provisions of the State Tort Claims Act, Chapter 669, Code of Iowa. Resident and Fellow Physicians at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are State employees for the purposes of the State Tort Claims Act. The coverage provided to Resident and Fellow Physicians by the State Tort Claims Act is occurrence coverage. 

What do I need to know about medical licensure

 

GME contracted residents and fellows must apply for a license from the Iowa Board of Medicine at least three months in advance of the training start date. The Iowa Board of Medicine will not accept a license application more than six months in advance of the contract start date. Every resident or fellow physician or dentist is responsible for acquiring a medical license prior to practicing medicine at UI Hospitals & Clinics. State of Iowa law prohibits practice without the proper license. 

The GME office recommends all residents and fellows apply for a license through the Iowa Board of Medicine by using the Uniform Application (UA). This application provides state specific instructions for Iowa. The Iowa Board DOES NOT require applicants to use the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) as part of the application process, though they do accept FCVS if you choose to use their service. For recent medical school graduates, the Board strongly recommends applicants NOT utilize FCVS.   

Resident Licensure 

The Iowa Board of Medicine offers a resident license authorizing the licensee to practice as an intern, resident or fellow while under the supervision of a licensed practitioner of medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in a board-approved resident training program in Iowa. This license expires on the expected date of completion of the training program as indicated in the licensure application. The license becomes inactive when a physician leaves the program or can be extended if completion of the program has not been met by the expected date. 

Permanent Licensure 

Some fellowship programs require a permanent license. Contact your program director to confirm whether a permanent license is appropriate. If you are eligible to moonlight, you will be required to have a permanent license. 

Specific licensing questions can be directed to the Iowa Board of Medicine. 

Educational Opportunities

In addition to clinical training, sleep fellows participate in a variety of educational experiences to foster skills in teaching, leadership, and academic involvement to include a weekly sleep medicine didactic conference, a monthly pulmonary/sleep conference, and regular sleep academics half days.

Fellows will regularly work with rotating medical students, residents, and fellows from other medical disciplines. They also participate in education of future sleep technicians through the Kirkwood Community College program.

Research Opportunities

The Sleep Medicine division at the University of Iowa has active research programs. Fellows are encouraged to participate in clinical research projects under the guidance of an assigned mentor over the course of the fellowship.

Major areas of research:

  • Use of hypoglossal nerve stimulation in sleep apnea
  • Sleep and epilepsy
  • Sleep disordered breathing and oncology
  • Intrinsic defects in chemosensitivity during sleep
  • Sleep disordered breathing in children with craniofacial differences
  • REM behavior disorder and neurodegenerative diseases
  • Clinical imaging in sleep

Research Presentations at the 2022 Sleep Meeting

Rotations

We strive to provide fellows a balanced educational experience that will successfully prepare them for independent clinical practice and board certification in Sleep Medicine.

Fellows are in clinic for approximately three days a week where they evaluate both adult and pediatric patients. The other two days of the week are spent interpreting sleep studies under staff supervision and in dedicated academic time. Fellows also spend time in the following additional clinical experiences with the option for additional time if desired:

  • Myotonic dystrophy clinic 

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i)

  • Sleep surgery with otolaryngology

  • Oral appliances with hospital dentistry

Additional clinical experiences in pulmonary medicine are available and can be coordinated.

Fellows are given time to prepare for and take the required Sleep Medicine In-Training Exam (SMITE) in the spring.

Example of Fellow Schedule

Sleep Medicine Fellow Duties

  • Fellows participate in outpatient sleep clinics at two campuses: Iowa River Landing East (Coralville), and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Iowa City)

  • Fellows interpret polysomnograms and home sleep apnea tests guided by multidisciplinary faculty at the University of Iowa Sleep Disorders Center

  • Overnight call is shared by fellows, and involves answering calls from our sleep technicians regarding patient management during polysomnogram procedures (home call, no hospital admissions)

  • Fellows regularly present formal polysomnogram case reviews, journal club topics, and sleep didactic lectures

Additional fellow expectations:

  • Leadership in quality improvement project

  • Contribution to sleep-related clinical research project

  • Attendance and/or presentation at annual SLEEP meeting is encouraged

The Recruitment Process

How to Apply

Applications are only accepted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) and all applicants must also register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Please refer to those sites for more information on application materials needed and match cycles.

Successful candidates for our program will be those that:

  • Have enthusiasm for the exciting field of Sleep Medicine
  • Display professionalism, good interpersonal and communication skills
  • Have interest in teaching, including medical students, residents, and peers
  • Are comfortable working with patients of all ages with sleep-related concerns
  • Have intent to continue providing outstanding care for patients with sleep disorders in their post-fellowship career

Note: We are unable to accept any fellowship applications outside of the Match.

Eligibility Criteria

Graduate from one of the following:

  • ACGME-accredited residency program, an AOA-approved residency program, a program with ACGME International (ACGME-I) Advanced Specialty Accreditation, or a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)-accredited residency program located in Canada with:

    • a valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and

    • have a passing score for Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 of the USMLE and

    • be a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident, or hold a visa which provides eligibility to work in the U.S. Typical visas are J-1 (requires Steps 1 and 2 of USMLE and ECFMG certification) and H1-B (requires departmental approval, and Steps 1, 2 and 3 of USMLE, and an Iowa medical license.

  • Meet Iowa Board of Medicine licensure requirements

  • All applicants must also meet program eligibility requirements as defined by the ACGME’s respective RRC

Our People

Meet Our Team

Fellowship Leadership

Current Fellows

Past Fellows