The Need for Training in Addiction Medicine

Although one in five Americans has an addiction, few physicians are experts in addressing addictive disorders. Heroin and prescription opioid misuse is epidemic, and overdose has surpassed accidents as a killer of youth. Addiction to nicotine and alcohol are among the leading causes of preventable illness and death in adults. Southern New England has one of the highest rates of unhealthy drug and alcohol use in the nation.

To reduce the enormous public health burden from alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and related conditions, the specialty of addiction medicine seeks to ensure that:

• Expert physicians are available in every community to provide treatment for complicated addictions.
• Expert physicians are available to provide training and consultation to other physicians caring for patients and their families who suffer from addictive disorders and their medical and psychiatric consequences.
• Alcohol and other drug problems are integrated into all aspects of medical education and practice so patients and families can access effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.

The David C. Lewis, MD, Fellowship in Addiction Medicine

The David C. Lewis, MD Fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital, is a one- or two-year fellowship for physicians who desire comprehensive training in addiction medicine.

Based at Rhode Island Hospital, the principal teaching hospital of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, this fellowship offers a diverse experience in multiple clinical settings with a wide range of patient populations, including youth, Veterans, and those involved in the criminal justice system.

The fellow is supervised by an interdisciplinary faculty representing internal medicine, infectious disease, psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, social work, and emergency medicine, as well as addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry. The curriculum consists of both four-week block rotations and longitudinal experiences, including adolescent addiction medicine, methadone clinic, office-based opioid treatment, chronic pain management, addiction consultation/liaison service, dual diagnosis, neonatal evaluations, substance use treatment among incarcerated populations, treatment of substance use disorders among medical professionals, screening and brief intervention, and intensive outpatient treatment.

Throughout the program, there are opportunities to work in interdisciplinary teams, and fellows interact frequently with residents and fellows in pediatrics, emergency medicine, toxicology, psychiatry, and other specialties.

There is dedicated time for scholarly activity (e.g., research or curriculum development and evaluation) in the first year of the fellowship.

The fellowship’s optional second year offers practicum experiences in research, teaching, and administrative skills related to patient care.

Accredited by the Accreditation of Council for Graduate Medical Foundation, this program provides the highest level of education and training for the next generation of physician-leaders in addiction medicine.

We are deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among our fellows and faculty. We strive to help produce an Addiction Medicine workforce that more closely reflects the population it serves. To that end, there are numerous initiatives that have been put into place in our fellowship. In addition, we have partnered with the American College of Academic Addiction Medicine and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University to help move forward their initiatives directed at increasing diversity.

Applying to the Fellowship

We participate in the ERAS application process. For information on application timeline, please visit the AAMC website.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Beverly A. Mason
Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program Coordinator
Rhode Island Hospital
593 Eddy Street
Plain St. Bldg., First Floor
Providence, RI 02903
Telephone: 401.444.3830
Email: beverly.mason@lifespan.org