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Summit Health is partnering with COPE Health Solutions to design and implement a 12-month post-graduate advanced practice provider fellowship program for advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners) and physician assistants.

The program, announced Aug. 1, will focus on strengthening and developing skills in various domains.

“The implementation of this program at Summit Health is integral in continuing our commitment to primary care transformation and population health aimed at improving outcomes for patients, and in achieving our vision of building healthier, kinder communities. Advanced Practice Providers’ contributions to our clinical teams at Summit Health cannot be overstated,” said Summit Health Vice President of Nursing & Advanced Practice Providers Beverly Karas-Irwin. “They play a vital role in our patient-centered care model, as well as with developing new and innovative approaches to serving our patients and communities.”

Throughout the program, fellows will have the opportunity to participate in core rotations, such as cardiology and endocrinology, and supplemental rotations, including nephrology and rheumatology. Fellows will also participate in weekly didactics, discussions surrounding evidenced base medicine, skills labs, presentations, and other projects.

“As more and more health care organizations prepare and transition to risk-based payment arrangements, it is critical to have a workforce, including providers, that are trained in providing value-based care,” said COPE Health Solutions Principal and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Elizabeth DuBois. “At COPE Health Solutions we think it is crucial to include educational components related to providing care under different payment arrangements as a part of the fellow’s core curriculum.”

Summit Health is currently accepting applications for its inaugural cohort of fellows to begin the program in December 2022.