Primary Care APC Fellowship

"Our new physician assistant who trained in the fellowship was very well prepared to start practice. Not only were they used to seeing patients in our system, but they had special experience with a number of important content areas such as diabetes care and bariatric care. Our clinic plans to host fellows again in the future."

Michael Stiffman, MD, HealthPartners Arden Hills Clinic Medical Director, Chair of HealthPartners Family Medicine
"Our APC Fellow was a true asset to our team. By the time that she was half way through her fellowship, we knew that we wanted to retain her as an employee. Patients have eagerly signed on to have her as a PCP, something that we completely understand given what an empathetic, & diligent clinician that she is!"

Kristen Hancock, FNP-C, Park Nicollet Burnsville Clinic Medical Director
"I am a huge fan and promoter of our Fellowship program! All of the fellows we have had come through our various clinics have been welcomed into practice within our larger organization as they are trained and confident in their skills. This is by far the best way to onboard NP/PA that are new to practice. Education, mentorship, and relationships set them apart in this program for advancing so much in that first year into practice."

Michelle Olson, RN, BSN, South Region Operations Director
"The APC Fellowship program is a program I strongly believe in. It provides tools, support, and learning while being able to care for patients in a Primary Care setting. The partnership between the Fellowship Leadership and the Host Site is exceptional. Both have the same goal of developing, supporting, and training the APC fellow while promoting success to your future career. Our fellow easily assimilated to our site, was a top performer, and saw notably less signs of burn out. We thoroughly enjoyed the APC Fellowship Program and are ready to do it again!"

Nicole Jirik, Park Nicollet Prior Lake Clinic Manager
"Coming out of a PA program can be intimidating and the fellowship was a fantastic bridge into practice. It allowed me to take time to improve my skills & gain experience to become a well-rounded clinician and gave me the confidence I needed while starting my practice in primary care. I highly recommend the program."

Devin Parker, PA-C, Fellowship Alum, Graduated June 2022
"The fellowship afforded me the opportunity to be vulnerable which led me to have increased confidence. When I got into independent practice despite still needing help, I was able to navigate comfortably. I find the fellowship to be very meaningful."

Kerriann Godwin, FNP-C, Fellowship Alum, Graduated October 2021
"The Health Partners Primary Care Fellowship is the best decision that I've made post-graduation. I was able to build my clinical confidence, learn from medical specialists to better understand how to manage chronic and acute illnesses, and understand the HealthPartners system, and has given me the foundation I needed to start practicing at my current home clinic. It has taught me skills that will keep me resilient for the future, so I can continue to be the best primary care provider for my patients."

Panra Yang, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Fellowship Alum, Graduated March 2023

Primary Care Fellowship Overview

Check out the recording of our Primary Care APC Fellowship Info Night here

Program Description

HealthPartners is offering a post-graduate program for Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners interested in advanced training in Primary Care. The Primary Care APC Fellowship Program engages learners in extensive training in a variety of teaching environments and sub-specialties.

Length of Program: 12 months

Class Size: varies (2-4 per class)

Annual Starting Date: January and July

Program Mission

The mission of the program is to train highly-qualified Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners to become skilled, compassionate, efficient care providers with a focus on system based practice and population health.

Curriculum

Didactic

Building on ACGME Family Medicine Core Competencies and common patient care presentations, APC fellows will have the opportunity to continue development of critical thinking skills, inter-professional collaboration, clinical competence, and business practice. Through SIM, lecture, and journal club, didactic sessions will compliment diverse rotations and hands on experiences.

Clinical

Primary Care APC Fellows will spend a significant portion of their training at a primary care site, with rotations to those specialty areas deemed essential for proficiency in Primary Care at HealthPartners.

12 month clinical rotation schedule (subject to change):

8 months in home Primary Care clinic
4 weeks Urgent Care
4 weeks Mental Health
2 weeks Diabetes
1 week Orthopedics
1 week Cardiology
1 week Newborn Nursery
2 days Pain Clinic

Program Faculty:

Amy Schwartz, PA-C- Primary Care APC Fellowship Program Director