Post-Graduate Training

The MIC division is responsible for answering questions from external healthcare providers (HCP). These questions are submitted by phone, fax or online at the Fresenius Medical Care North America website. The fellow will:

• Develop a strong knowledge base about end-stage renal disease and its management, dialysis and Fresenius products and pharmaceuticals.
• Attend educational conferences and seminars in order to further enhance their educational experience.
• Gain an understanding of the role and responsibilities of medical information in a pharmaceutical and device industry setting.
• Learn about the prerequisites and pertinent FDA and federal legal and compliance regulations regarding medical information in an industry setting.
• Learn the skills needed to develop accurate, fair and balanced information about pharmaceuticals and medical devices provided to healthcare professionals, consumers and managed care organizations.
• Update or create Standard Response Letters (SRL) and perform literature searches to stay abreast of the latest scientific information in relevant areas.
• Participate in drug information projects or task forces.
• Assist in the evaluation of existing and new products (pharmaceuticals and medical devices).
• Assist in the development and maintenance of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The ADVANCED RENAL EDUCATION PROGRAM© (AREP) reinforces Fresenius’ vision of improving clinical outcomes, morbidity, mortality and quality of life for patients with ESRD and CKD through fair, balanced and scientifically sound education programs for healthcare professionals. The mission of the program is to enhance the knowledge of healthcare professionals and enable them to provide the best possible care to their patients. The fellowship will enable the fellow to:

• Gain an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the continuing medical education function in industry.
• Assist in the development and updating of interactive e-learning courses in the field of nephrology and dialysis.
• Create new educational content or conduct reviews of existing educational content for the AREP website and live program.
• Participate in the development of an abstract, poster or presentations for national medical congresses.
• Perform in-depth literature searches for the development of various educational materials.

The fellow will be given the opportunity to be actively involved in teaching at Fresenius Medical Care North America and Wingate University School of Pharmacy. They will:

• Gain academic experience at the School of Pharmacy and have the opportunity to attend relevant lectures, seminars and other relevant programs. This includes the longitudinal experience as a lab facilitator. The fellow will oversee a small group each week and help lead discussion for students on various topics presented in the lab.
• Participate in precepting pharmacy students from Wingate University School of Pharmacy and UNC-Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy.
• Actively participate in the various medical information teaching programs at Fresenius Medical Care North America.
• Participate in and present journal clubs.

Program Director

Dixie-Ann Sawin, Ph.D., M.S.
Vice President, Global Medical Information and Education US

Wingate Liaison

Heather Kehr, PharmD, BCPS
Associate Professor of Pharmacy

The fellow will also work closely with members of the Fresenius Medical Information North America Team:

• Rainer Himmele, MD, MSHM - SVP Global Head of Medical Information and Education
• Robert M. Geist, MD -Senior Medical Information Scientist
• Jorge M. Feijoo, MD, MHA- Principal Medical Information Scientist
• Michael Bregenzer, PhD - Medical Information Scientist
• Huaying Su, PharmD - Director of Medical Communication & Education

Applicants must be a graduate of a college or school of pharmacy accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. Applicants must be licensed or eligible for licensure in the State of North Carolina. The applicant must demonstrate academic excellence, excellent personal management skills and strong written and verbal communication skills.

Application materials must include the following:

• Curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts of all pharmacy-related coursework
• Letter of Intent describing your interest in medical information and completing your postgraduate training in an industry setting
• Three (3) letters of reference completed by healthcare professionals able to comment on your clinical ability and work ethic
• A writing sample (may be a journal club or published manuscript)

How to Apply

Please address application materials to:

Dixie-Ann Sawin, Ph.D., M.S.
Vice President, Global Medical Information and Education US
Fresenius Medical Care North America
309 East Morehead Street, Suite 240
Charlotte, NC 28202

All application materials must be submitted via email to medinfo.fellowship@wingate.edu before the application deadline of Dec. 31.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email medinfo.fellowship@wingate.edu.