Wellstar APP Fellowships
Launch Your Career in Advanced Practice with Confidence
Overview
The Wellstar Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Fellowship Program is a structured, post-graduate training experience designed to bridge the gap between education and clinical practice for newly graduated nurse practitioners and physician associates as well as experienced APPs seeking to transition into a new specialty. Through immersive clinical rotations, targeted didactic learning, and individualized professional development, the fellowship equips APPs with additional skills, confidence, and clinical judgment required to deliver exceptional patient care. Our 12-month program is intentionally designed to support early-career APPs as they transition into specialty practice. Fellows train alongside expert faculty, participate in multidisciplinary teams, and gain real-world experience through thoughtfully curated rotations that reflect the complexity and pace of modern healthcare. With Wellstar’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and workforce development, the APP Fellowship Program ensures a seamless transition from graduate education to specialty clinical practice — preparing APPs not just for a job, but for a fulfilling, impactful career.Mission & Vision
Mission
Empower APPs with the expertise, confidence, and compassion to deliver high-quality, person-centered care.Vision
Deliver leading post-graduate training that strengthens the APP workforce and improves patient care.Specialty Tracks
Our APP Fellowship Program offers specialty tracks designed to provide focused training and hands-on experience in specific areas of advanced practice. These tracks allow fellows to deepen their expertise while working alongside experienced clinicians in real-world settings. As new specialties become available, they will be added here to ensure you have access to the most comprehensive fellowship opportunities.General Cardiology Specialty
Build expertise in adult cardiovascular care through immersive, high-acuity clinical experiences. Fellows rotate through eight distinct cardiovascular subspecialties and gain hands-on skills for managing complex conditions—preparing for impactful careers in cardiology.Helpful Information
- Program Highlights
- Program Goals
- Curriculum Overview
- Application Process
- Specialty Tracks
- Program Leadership
Program Highlights
Duration
12 months. Start dates vary by specialty track.Location
Practice-based learning rotations take place across Wellstar Medical Centers, Clinics, Health Parks, and Urgent Cares throughout Georgia, offering exposure to a wide range of clinical environments.Schedule
APP Fellows commit to full-time employment. Schedules vary by specialty track and may include day, evening, night, weekend, or holiday shifts to reflect real-world clinical practice.Cohort Size
Intentionally small to ensure individualized mentorship and support. Most specialty tracks accept two APP Fellows per cohort.Benefits
APP Fellows are salaried, full-time employees with access to comprehensive Wellstar benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.Eligibility
Open to newly graduated nurse practitioners and physician associates, as well as experienced APPs seeking a structured transition into a new specialty.Program Goals
Bridge the Gap
Provide structured post-graduate training that connects education to real-world practice and meets the evolving demands of healthcare.Cultivate Excellence
Foster clinical expertise and professional identity through immersive specialty experiences, progressive responsibility, and personalized mentorship.Develop Skilled APPs
Prepare a confident, highly skilled workforce ready to deliver safe, efficient, and person-centered care across diverse clinical settings.Support Wellstar’s Mission
Equip APPs to transition seamlessly into high-impact roles that strengthen our health system and advance patient care.Foster Leadership
Promote lifelong learning, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration as core attributes of every fellowship graduate.Curriculum Overview
The Wellstar APP Fellowship Program delivers a balanced curriculum that integrates clinical immersion with structured didactic learning and professional development. While each specialty track offers its own unique clinical experiences, all fellows benefit from a shared educational foundation designed to support their growth as confident, competent, and compassionate providers. Key elements of the curriculum include:Practice-Based Clinical Rotations
Fellows engage in supervised, hands-on training across inpatient and ambulatory settings. Rotations are thoughtfully sequenced to build clinical acumen, critical thinking, and specialty-specific expertise.Structured Didactic Education
Weekly didactic sessions include lectures, case-based discussions, journal clubs, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Topics focus on core clinical concepts, evidence-based practice, diagnostic reasoning, and communication.Simulation and Procedural Skills Training
Fellows participate in high-fidelity simulation and skills workshops tailored to their specialty, allowing them to refine technical skills, practice team-based scenarios, and enhance clinical decision-making in a safe learning environment.Professional and Leadership Development
The curriculum emphasizes the development of leadership skills, professional identity, emotional intelligence, and resilience—equipping APPs to thrive in complex healthcare environments.Formative & Summative Evaluation
APP Fellows receive ongoing formative feedback and structured summative evaluations throughout the program. Each rotation includes clear learning objectives and defined assessment milestones to support continuous growth and ensure competency progression.Application Process
The Wellstar APP Fellowship Program accepts applicants on a rolling basis based on specialty availability and workforce needs. Most tracks offer one or two cohorts per year. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as positions are limited and highly competitive.Eligibility Requirements
- Graduate of an accredited nurse practitioner or physician associate program within the past 12 months or clinical practice as an advanced practice provider within the past 12 months
- National board certification as a nurse practitioner or physician associate*
- Active and unrestricted Georgia licensure
- Current American Heart Association BLS and ACLS certifications
- Strong interest in specialty practice and commitment to professional growth
Required Application Materials
Please submit the following required application materials together in a single email to [email protected]. Preferred file format: PDF for all documents.- Current professional CV or résumé
- Unofficial academic transcript (from NP or PA program)
- Personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced) addressing:
- Why are you interested in a Wellstar Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship?
- What influenced your decision to pursue advanced practice in your chosen specialty track?
- Three letters of professional recommendation*
- One from a physician
- One from an NP or PA (same discipline as applicant)
- One from an NP, PA, or physician (preferably in the applicant’s chosen specialty)
Application Timeline
| Spring Cohort | Fall Cohort | |
|---|---|---|
| Applications open | August 1 | February 1 |
| Application deadline | October 31 | April 30 |
| Applicants selected for interview | November | May |
| Final APP Fellow selection | December | June |
| Fellow credentialing and privileging | December – April | June – October |
| Fellowship begins | April | October |
Recommendation:
- December graduates are encouraged to apply for the Fall cohort.
- Spring and Fall graduates are encouraged to apply for the Spring cohort.
Selection Process
- Initial application screening by fellowship leadership
- Virtual or in-person interview with program faculty and clinical leaders
- Final selection based on clinical readiness, alignment with program goals, and professional potential
How to Apply
Applicants must complete two steps:- Submit an online application through the Wellstar Careers portal.
- Open positions and deadlines vary by specialty track and will be listed as fellowship opportunities become available.
- Visit www.wellstar.org/careers and search for “Fellowship” to view open APP Fellowship positions.
- Email all required application materials to [email protected].
- Submit all materials together in a single email.
- Preferred file format: PDF for all documents.
Specialty Tracks
General Cardiology Specialty
The General Cardiology Specialty within the Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care provides advanced practice provider fellows with a comprehensive foundation in adult cardiovascular medicine through immersive clinical experiences in high-acuity settings. Fellows train primarily in inpatient environments across the Wellstar Health System, with select ambulatory experiences integrated throughout the year to ensure well-rounded exposure to the continuum of care.Core Clinical Rotations
- General Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Heart Failure
- Critical Care Cardiology
- Advanced Heart Failure
- Cardiac Surgery
- Structural Heart
- Electrophysiology
Clinical Learning Highlights
- Manage acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions in hospitalized patients
- Participate in cardiology consult services and admissions
- Interpret diagnostics such as ECGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, and ambulatory monitors
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on complex patient care
- Develop procedural knowledge and presentation skills through real-time clinical decision-making
- Gain exposure to outpatient cardiology workflows through select continuity clinic experiences
Eligibility Notes
Note: This specialty requires Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification, in alignment with the APRN Consensus Model for APPs delivering inpatient care.Career Pathways
This specialty is ideal for APPs seeking to build long-term careers in inpatient cardiology or hospital-based consultative services. Graduates will be well-prepared to transition into general cardiology roles with the clinical readiness and confidence to contribute meaningfully from day one.Program Leadership
Hans Lee, MD – Cardiovascular Medical Director Joshua Thornsberry, NP – Cardiovascular Specialty Lead Azeb Tkikil, NP – Cardiovascular Simulation Instructor Rachel Panosian, PA – Cardiovascular Simulation Instructor