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Clinical Fellowship for APRNs
This unique program supports Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) graduates in gaining additional skills focused on complex primary care practice in rural, urban and tribal underserved community-based settings across the State of Kansas.
Grant History
The KU School of Nursing was awarded Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding in 2019 to start a fellowship program. In 2020 we welcomed our first cohort. We received additional funding in 2023 to continue and enhance our program.
Mission
Prepare new primary care APRNs for the complexities of practice in rural, urban and/or tribal underserved settings through a rigorous clinical fellowship program.
Program Components
Fellows will have precepted clinical time as they develop their own patient panel, clinical mentoring and specialty rotations. A robust, evidence-based didactic program will include offerings to support:
- Acquisition of telehealth competencies
- Improved leadership skills
- Quality improvement application
- Clinical topics for the business of primary care and specialized care in rural or underserved complex health settings
- Behavioral and maternal health
Fellows will be mentored in post-program practice opportunities with the Kansas Recruitment and Retention Center.
Clinical and Didactic Training Expectations
| Component | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Precepted Clinics | Fellow slowly builds a patient panel through a ramp-up policy as the preceptor provides guidance and support. |
| Mentored Clinics | Fellow works alongside the mentor to view complex patients on the mentor's panel |
| Specialty Clinics | Fellow works in specific clinics in which they may not have previous experience; e.g., dermatology, cardiology, women's health, pediatrics |
| Didactic Training | Training offerings that support acquisition of telehealth competences, improved leadership skills, quality improvement application, and clinical topics for the business of primary care and specialized care in rural or underserved complex health settings |
Information Session
Eligibility
Recent graduates (within 18 months of program start) of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse program in a primary care role of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
APPLY to Clinical Fellowship Program
Contact
Laura Crystal
Fellowship Coordinator
The University of Kansas
School of Nursing
lcrystal@kumc.edu
Map of Clinical Sites 2020-2025
Clinical Sites located in: Kansas City, Paola, Topeka, Wamego, Chanute, Wichita, Winfield, Newton, Great Bend, Hays, Learned, Dodge City, Ulysses and Tribune.
Fellowship Cohorts
Katie Leimkuehler at Mercy & Truth Healthcare Ministry in Kansas City, KS
Dr. Audrey Hunter at GraceMed in Topeka, KS
Angela Kisanko at GraceMed in Wichita, KS
Ewa DuBois at Health Partnership Clinic in Ottawa & Paola, KS
Dr. Cayla Heibert at Health Ministries Clinic in Newton, KS
Dr. Abby Koch at Health Ministries Clinic in Newton, KS
Cassandra Roach at Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center / Ashley Clinic in Chanute, KS
Janden Weber at Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center / Ashley Clinic in Chanute, KS
Dr. Samantha Duncan at Prairie Winds Family Care in Wamego, KS
Brittani Bennett at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, KS
Dr. San Heytens at Genesis Family Health in Garden City, KS
Danielle Von Feldt at Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS
Dr. Leigh Smith at Caritas Clinic in Kansas City, KS
Dr. Samantha Goodell at Sunflower Birth Center / Born Midwifery in Wichita, KS
Dr. Shelly Pavlu at KU Health System Great Bend in Great Bend, KS
Sarah Muret at SCK Midwives in Winfield, KS
Dr. Taryn Gort at Swope Health in Kansas City, MO
Dr. Alex Titus at Genesis Family Health in Garden City, KS
Dr. Mallory Kirby at KC Care in in Kansas City, MO
Dr. Tam Chieu at Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS
Dr. Summar Anthony at First Care Clinic in Hays, KS
Dr. Erin Casey at Ulysses Family Physicians in Ulysses, KS
Dr. Heather Holaday at KU Health System Pawnee Valley in Larned, KS
Providing a bridge to practice in complex healthcare settings: a post-doctoral fellowship program in 4 steps
Goal 1, meet the need. We developed an evidence-based post-doctoral felloship for new primary care advanced practice nurses (APRNs) in rural and underserved communities; we enhanced clinical skills, knowledge, and judgement of the new primary care APRNs in complex healthcare settings; we increased the number of APRNs ready to serve in leadership roles; and we increased access to quality primary care for rural and underserved populations in Kansas.
Goal 2, enhance skills. We delivered a 12-hour telehealth curriculum that introduced the fundamentals of telemedicine and telehealth, outlined relevant administrative, clinical and technology aspects of telemedicine, and provided opportunities for supervised telehealth delivery and/or simulation.
Goal 3, build leaders. We provided didactic curriculum aligned with national competencies for APRNs in primary care and included clinical topics and procedural skills, interprofessional practice, professionalism, communication, leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.
Goal 4, increase access. In our first round of funding, we placed 14 fellows in 13 different clinical practice sites across Kansas and in the Kansas City metro area. Six placements were with Federally Qualified Health Care (FQHC) sites; ten sites were rural; all sites were designated as healthcare provider shortage areas (HPSA), and/or served a medically underserved area or population, thirteen of the fourteen fellows (93%) completed the 12-month program, 92% of the fellows were retained in a rural and/or underserved area for at least one year after completing the program.
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,999,542. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
