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Hospitalist - Acute Care APP Fellowship

The Carle Health Hospitalist - Acute Care APP Fellowship is a nine-month postgraduate specialty training program for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The APP Fellowship includes didactic time, a core program of Hospital Medicine rotations and also several specialty rotations meant to enhance acute care education. The program provides the APP fellow with an opportunity to further develop critical thinking used to make sound clinical judgment and function at top scope of practice prior to starting their long-term position as an APP. At the end of this fellowship, there is an opportunity for APPs to join our hospitalist APP team on a long-term basis. 

Carle Health combines clinical care, health insurance, research and academics in a way that solves real-world problems today with an eye toward the future. Supported by a deep philanthropic spirit, Carle is dedicated to doing what it takes to make life better for as many as possible.

Based in Urbana, IL, Carle Health is a vertically integrated system of healthcare services, which includes an eight-hospital system, multi-specialty physician groups, as well as Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute. The system also includes nearly 16,500 team members and more than 1,300 doctors and advanced practice providers, plus health plans including FirstCarolina Care and Health Alliance.
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Practice Details

12 weeks of Hospital Medicine rotations

Specialty service line rotations:

  • ED
  • Neurology
  • Hematology / Oncology
  • Orthopedics
  • SNF team
  • Pulmonology
  • Epilepsy
  • Gastroenterology
  • CCU
  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiology
  • Inpatient rehab
  • Palliative Care
  • Trauma
  • Urology

Additional Areas of Medicine Addressed During Rotations

  • Risk
  • CM / SW / UR role
  • Quality assurance
  • Chart auditing
  • Wound care
  • Code team
  • Infection control
  • Leadership skills
  • PT / OT / ST role
  • DVT prevention / bridging
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Communications skills

Application Process

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of ACNP or ARC-PA accredited PA program required.
  • For APRNs, must have current Illinois RN/APRN license as well as certification prior to start date.
  • For PAs, must have current NCCPA certified state PA license and PANCE certification prior to start date.
  • BLS certification.

Applications are accepted year round. The following documents are required at time of application:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement
  • Letters of recommendation (one at time of application; three total)
  • Transcripts (unofficial)
  • Clinical rotation schedule

Why Choose Carle?

  • Full-time, employed position with benefits.
  • Benefits include paid time off, health/dental/life insurance, 403-B plan with employer match once in final position. 
  • LTD, relocation allowance and paid malpractice insurance with 100% tail insurance covered.
  • Variable schedule – potential to work nights, weekends and holidays.
  • Join a supportive learning environment with a supervising physician and APP preceptors and mentors.
  • Position will be based in Champaign-Urbana.

Apply Now

Current Fellows

Photo of Nicole Wolken

Nicole Wolken
PA-C

Graduate: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine - Physician Assistant Program, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Undergraduate: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences (Medical Science)

Photo of Nathan Buchanan

Nathan Buchanan
APRN

Graduate: Loyola University Chicago Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Undergraduate: BSN southern Illinois university at Edwardsville, ADN Kankakee Community College

Photo of Jean Nadonga

Jean Nadonga
APRN

Graduate: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate, Master of Science in Nursing Education

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Certifications
       AG-ACNP-BC, ACNPC-AG, CEN, PCCN

2021

Photo of Hong Yang, APRN

Hong Yang, APRN
Hospitalist APP
Carle Health – Urbana

Graduate: Walden University: Master of Science in Nursing, Adult – Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program and Soochow University (China): Master of Biology, Cell Biology

Undergraduate: Purdue University: Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Eureka College: Bachelor of Arts in English

2021

Photo of Lauren Johnson, PA-C

Lauren Johnson, PA-C
Hospitalist APP
Carle Health – Urbana

Graduate: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions: Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Undergraduate: Brigham Young University: Bachelor of Science in Food Studies and Minor in Chemistry

2022-2023

Photo of Kristine Redfield, APRN

Kristine Redfield, APRN
Hospitalist APP
Carle Health - Urbana

Graduate: OSF St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing: Master of Science in Nursing, Adult – Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

Undergraduate: Methodist College: Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Eureka College: Bachelor of Arts in English

2022-2023

Photo of Alaina Kerr, APRN

Alaina Kerr, APRN
Acute Care / Hospitalist APP Fellow
Carle Health - Urbana

Graduate: Lewis University: Master of Science in Nursing, Adult - Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

Undergraduate: Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Alaina will be moving into a Hospitalist APP Role in June after completion of the Fellowship.

Sponsors and Leadership

Matthew Kolb, COO

Program Sponsor

Dr. Napoleon Knight, CMO

Program Sponsor

Amanda Steffen, APRN

Program Leadership

Hospitalist

Acute Care APP Fellowship Director

Email: Amanda.Steffen@Carle.com