Rush University Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship
ACGME-Accredited | High-Volume | Multidisciplinary
The Rush University Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship is a fully ACGME-accredited, one-year clinical training program that provides fellows with an immersive, high-volume experience in all aspects of acute, chronic, and cancer-related pain management.
Home to one of the nation’s largest academic pain centers, the Rush Department of Anesthesiology cares for over 10,000 patients annually—providing fellows with unmatched exposure to a wide variety of pathologies, procedures, and practice environments.
Comprehensive Clinical Training
Fellows receive robust training across multiple integrated facilities:
- Rush University Medical Center
- Rush Oak Park Hospital
- Rush Surgicenter & Rush Oak Brook Surgicenter
- Rush Pain Clinics & Satellite Sites
This rotation structure ensures exposure to a broad spectrum of cases ranging from complex tertiary referrals to fast-paced outpatient interventions.
Procedures & Interventions
Fellows become proficient in a full array of fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided procedures, including:
- Epidural steroid injections (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
- Medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation
- Regional and peripheral nerve blocks
- Stellate ganglion and sympathetic chain blocks
- Spinal cord stimulation (trial and implant)
- Dorsal root ganglion stimulation
- Peripheral nerve stimulation
- Intrathecal drug delivery systems (trial and implant)
- Indirect lumbar decompression techniques
Fellows also participate in several full-day cadaver training labs focused on neuromodulation techniques early in the academic year.
Multidisciplinary & Holistic Pain Management
Rush takes a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to pain care. Fellows work alongside experts in:
- Psychology
- Physical & occupational therapy
- Rehabilitation medicine
- Oncology & palliative care
- Psychiatry & behavioral health
You’ll gain deep experience in managing complex conditions such as:
- Cancer-related pain
- Neuropathic and diabetic pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Failed back surgery syndrome
- Chronic post-surgical and musculoskeletal pain
- Headache and facial pain
Core Curriculum
Training is grounded in a structured academic foundation that includes:
- Pain physiology and neuroanatomy
- Pharmacology of opioids, NSAIDs, adjuvants, and advanced analgesics
- Regional anesthesia and neurolytic techniques
- Acute pain, cancer pain, and perioperative pain management
- Cognitive, behavioral, and supportive psychotherapy principles
- Functional restoration and rehabilitative approaches
- Organization and administration of pain centers
- Quality improvement, utilization review, and program evaluation
Advanced Neuromodulation & Innovation
Rush is a recognized leader in advanced neuromodulation and emerging pain therapies. Fellows train directly in:
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
- Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation
- Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)
- Intrathecal drug delivery (ITDD)
- Basivertebral nerve ablation
- Indirect lumbar decompression
- Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
- Minimally invasive and regenerative options
Outcome-Driven & Career-Focused
Graduates of the Rush Pain Fellowship emerge:
- Technically confident
- Academically prepared
- Practice-ready for both academic, private, and hybrid models
The program emphasizes eadership development, clinical excellence, and lifelong learning, preparing you for a future at the forefront of pain medicine.
Why Rush?
- ACGME-accredited since inception
- Among the highest procedural volumes of any pain fellowship in the country
- Access to diverse populations and cutting-edge therapies
- Strong mentorship and longitudinal clinic experience
- Training that blends academic rigor with real-world efficiency