Overview
Develop the skills. Build confidence. Launch your career in Primary Care.
The Cleveland Clinic Advanced Practice Provider Primary Care Fellowship is a 12-month postgraduate training program designed to foster a collaborative learning environment with a special focus on developing Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) to practice as independent primary care providers.
Through a combination of structured didactics, specialty experiences, procedural training, dedicated mentorship, and progressive clinical responsibility, fellows develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive as primary care providers.
The program is tailored for nationally certified newly graduated or newer to practice Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, as well as experienced APPs transitioning from specialty practice into primary care.
Fellows are employed as full-time, benefit-eligible caregivers. Please note that compensation is reduced during this training period. Those selected for these positions are assigned to a Primary Care Institute location within northeast Ohio.
Program mission
Develop highly competent, confident, system-ready, and patient-centered Advanced Practice Providers through structured clinical education, mentorship, and procedural training, preparing them for independent practice as primary care providers to strengthen Cleveland Clinic’s primary care workforce and advance access to high-quality care.
Why choose a fellowship?
Primary care is one of the most rewarding and impactful areas of healthcare, and it is also one of the most complex. Primary care APPs are expected to manage patients across all ages, disease states, and levels of complexity while navigating preventive care, chronic disease management, acute illness, and care coordination.
Our fellowship provides structured support during the critical transition to primary care practice period through:
- Dedicated fellowship preceptors and mentors
- Protected educational and professional development time
- Gradual clinical ramp-up and progressive independence
- Longitudinal specialty experiences
- Advanced procedural training
- Collaborative learning with fellow APP trainees
- Individualized coaching and feedback
The goal is to help fellows become confident, independent primary care providers prepared to deliver high-quality care in diverse practice settings.
Career development
The fellowship is designed to create a strong pipeline of highly skilled primary care APPs. Upon successful completion of the program, fellows may be considered for permanent primary care provider opportunities within Cleveland Clinic. While placement is not guaranteed, the program is intentionally designed to prepare graduates for long-term success in primary care practice.
Join us
The Advanced Practice Provider Primary Care Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to receive advanced clinical training, dedicated mentorship, and comprehensive professional development while building a strong foundation for a rewarding career in primary care.
If you are passionate about providing patient-centered care and committed to becoming an exceptional primary care provider, we encourage you to apply.
Stephanie Heintz-Martin, MSN, APRN-CNP
Professional Development Lead
APP Primary Care Fellowship
Curriculum
Learning model
Fellows participate in a balanced training model that includes:
- Primary care clinical practice
- Specialty rotations and experiences
- Protected didactic education
- Dedicated mentorship
- Professional development and scholarly project
Clinical responsibilities increase gradually throughout the year as fellows demonstrate competency and readiness for greater independence.
Program highlights
Comprehensive Primary Care Training
Fellows gain experience managing the full spectrum of primary care conditions, including:
- Acute care complaints
- Chronic disease management
- Preventive care and wellness
- Women's health
- Men's health
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Behavioral health
- Complex care coordination
Specialty Experiences
Longitudinal specialty experiences enhance clinical decision-making and strengthen referral and co-management skills. Areas of exposure may include:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Neurology
- Pulmonology
- Behavioral Health
- Women's Health
- Other specialties relevant to primary care practice
Advanced Procedural Training
Fellows receive hands-on training in common office-based procedures, which may include:
- Dermatologic procedures
- Dermoscopy
- Musculoskeletal injections
- IUD insertion and removal
- Nexplanon insertion and removal
- Additional primary care procedures based on site availability
Structured Didactic Curriculum
Weekly protected educational sessions focus on:
- Clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis
- Evidence-based acute care management
- Chronic disease management
- Preventive medicine
- Diagnostic interpretation
- Population health
- Quality improvement
- Billing and coding
- Leadership and professional development
Mentorship & Professional Development
Each fellow is paired with dedicated preceptors and mentors who provide individualized support, coaching, and career guidance throughout the fellowship year.
Curriculum overview
The fellowship curriculum progresses through four developmental phases:
Foundations of Primary Care Practice
- History and physical examination skills
- SOAP note development
- Clinical reasoning
- Diagnostic testing interpretation
- Preventive care
- Communication and patient engagement
Acute Care Management
- Cardiac conditions
- Respiratory disorders
- Infectious diseases
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Neurologic presentations
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Dermatologic disorders
- Pediatric acute care
Chronic Disease Management
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation
- COPD and asthma
- Chronic kidney disease
- Obesity medicine
- Behavioral health
- Chronic pain management
- Women's and men's health
- Gender-affirming care for adults
- Transitional care management
Advanced Practice & Procedures
- Dermatologic procedures
- Women's health procedures
- Musculoskeletal injections
- Office-based procedures
- Quality improvement
- Practice readiness and panel management
Eligibility Criteria
Those eligible for this program include:
- Novice Advanced Practice Registered Nurses or Physician Assistants who are certified by January 1, 2027 (novice APPs are those with 0-12 months of experience working as an APP).
- Experienced Advanced Practice Registered Nurses or Physician Assistants with a desire to change from specialty to a primary care provider role.
Education
APRN
- Graduate of an accredited APRN program.
- Master's degree in nursing and/or higher degree obtained from a program recognized by their practicing state’s Licensing Board.
PA
- Graduate of an A.R.C. approved Physician Assistant Program.
- Master's degree in physician assistant studies and/or higher degree obtained from a program recognized by their practicing state’s Licensing Board.
Certifications
NP
- Currently licensed as a Nurse Practitioner in applicable state(s).
- Must be licensed as an RN in applicable state(s).
- National certification as a Nurse Practitioner by a nationally accredited organization recognized by the state Board of Nursing.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) required.
- Must have arrangements with at least one physician in accordance with requirements set forth by the State Board of Nursing in applicable states.
- Must be credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals.
PA
- Certification as a Physician Assistant through the NCCPA or successor organization recognized by their practicing state’s Licensing Board.
- License to practice and prescribe issued by their practicing state’s Licensing Board.
- Current DEA License or DEA designee as required by NCQA.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) required.
- If a candidate has held a license to prescribe within another jurisdiction and needs to obtain a master's degree in order to apply for prescribing privileges, the candidate will be subject for review for eligibility for hiring within our system.
- Must have a Physician Supervision Agreement and signed addendum to Physician Supervision Agreement
- Must be credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals.
Preferred qualifications
- Strong academic performance
- Prior clinical rotations in primary care
- Exposure to underserved populations
- Procedural experience during training
- Leadership, research, or quality improvement experience
The fellowship seeks candidates who demonstrate:
- Strong clinical curiosity
- Humility and coachability
- Emotional intelligence and resilience
- Desire for lifelong learning
- Long-term interest in primary care practice
Application Process
Timeline
- Applications will be accepted August 2026 through October 2026
- Offers will be extended by December 2026
- Credentialing and privileging will occur January through March 2027
- Fellowship starts April 1, 2027
Required application materials
Applicants must submit a complete application packet here.
A complete application packet includes the following:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Personal statement addressing interest in primary care and fellowship goals (500 word maximum)
- Two professional references (faculty or clinical preceptors preferred)
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Selection criteria
Applicants are evaluated using a structured, standardized scoring rubric across the following domains:
| Domain | Description |
| Academic Preparation | Foundational knowledge and training rigor |
| Clinical Potential | Diagnostic reasoning, judgment, and readiness for supervised practice |
| Professionalism | Reliability, accountability, maturity |
| Communication Skills | Interpersonal effectiveness with patients and teams |
| Commitment to Primary Care | Demonstrated interest and career intent |
| Adaptability | Ability to accept feedback and grow |
| Cultural Competence | Respectful, inclusive care delivery |
Interview
Selected applicants will participate in a structured interview process that may include:
- Behavioral interview questions
- Clinical reasoning scenario
- Professional judgment scenario
- Communication assessment
All candidates are evaluated using standardized scoring tools to ensure fairness and consistency.
Conditions of acceptance
Final acceptance into the fellowship is contingent upon:
- Successful completion of credentialing and privileging
- Verification of licensure and certification
- Completion of onboarding requirements
- Compliance with institutional policies
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic?
Guided by a solid tradition of excellence and a commitment to putting "Patients First," we continue to pursue scientific investigation, champion clinical training and deliver the finest healthcare possible. We encourage you to learn more about education at Cleveland Clinic and explore our website to learn more about what makes Cleveland Clinic a great place to learn and grow.
Living in Cleveland
Cleveland, a vibrant, mid-sized city located on Lake Erie, features a host of cultural and recreational attractions. Downtown Cleveland is approximately 2 miles from the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.
