Applying for Fellowship
The Process
1. The Fellowship application process may be initiated for any healthcare practitioner or professional who meets the basic requirements of fellowship.
2. A completed formal application is required from each applicant. The application packet can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. In addition to providing a CV listing information regarding their education, training and practice, applicants are requested to develop an educational program for the institute out of their field of specialty. Details of the education component are listed in the application packet.
a. Sign an authorization for hospitals, medical organizations, and others to release information deemed by the Institute to be material to its evaluation of the applicant.
b. Furnish as references, two colleagues as who are practicing in the same geographic area as the applicant. The applicant is to obtain from these colleagues assurance of their willingness to serve as references.
4. Each colleague named as a reference will be asked by the Institute to furnish a statement about the applicant’s qualifications as a physician or professional, as well as the applicant’s professional and ethical standing in the community. The Institute may also consult others.
Evaluation Of Applications For Fellowship
The evaluation of an applicant for Fellowship is based on comprehensive information relating to the applicant’s medical/professional judgment and experience, professional competence, ethical conduct, professional standing in the local community, and attitude toward the basic tenets of the AIS. Such information is obtained from the AIS Certification Committee (ACC), references named by the applicant, and others.
1. The ACC Coordinator reviews each application for completeness and prepares a summary of the biographical information and other pertinent information for review by the ACC in evaluating the application. If the applicant’s practice situation changes and it is determined that additional practice time is required, further processing of the application is deferred until the applicant has met all the requirements.
2. In some cases a member of the ACC will interview an applicant and report to the ACC their findings regarding the applicant’s eligibility for Fellowship.
3. The ACC will appraise information and recommendations from all sources relating to Fellowship applications and make recommendations to the AIS Board. The ACC Coordinator evaluates unusual practice situations to determine if the requirements for Fellowship have been met and recommends an action to the ACC.
4. After review and evaluation of all information, the ACC makes one of three decisions:
a. Approved for Fellowship–In order to attain Fellowship, each applicant must receive the approval of three-fourths of the ACC.
b. Postponed (for one or two years)–An applicant’s postponement is not considered as a denial of application. It is designed to give the applicant an opportunity to acquire further knowledge or additional experience or to develop professionally. It also provides the Institute with an additional period for observation, investigation, and further evaluation of the applicant’s eligibility for Fellowship.
c. Denial of Application.
1. Following a denial of application, the applicant may submit a new application after a waiting period of three years.
2. Applicants who have received a denial of application may request an appeal. To initiate an appeal, the applicant must submit a written request to the Executive Director. Appeals are heard under the direction of the Board of the AIS. (As indicated in 4b, the Institute does not consider a postponement to be a denial of an application.)
3. The Board of AIS may reverse a denial of application at its discretion. However, the final decision of the Board of AIS, following an appeal, is binding.
5. No Action—No action is taken when an application is determined by the ACC Coordinator to be incomplete. Incomplete applications are deferred for consideration to the following year.
6. Successful applicants are admitted into Fellowship. Full use of credentials are granted . Applicants are notified by letter of their acceptance for Fellowship.
7. The AIS declines to furnish to anyone other than the applicant or those individuals concerned with the Institute’s evaluation of the application information concerning the status of an application for Fellowship.
The regulations for admission into Fellowship have been formulated by the Board of the AIS and apply uniformly to all applicants. No other means of admission is available.
Application to Fellowship
(please complete and email, fax or mail all components to the address listed on the application)
