Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Adolescent and Young Adult Addiction Medicine Fellowship (AYA-AMF) Track offers comprehensive, specialized training for physicians committed to improving addiction care for adolescents and young adults, especially in medically underserved and rural communities.

Graduates of the program become:

• Board-certified addiction medicine clinicians with additional expertise in treating adolescents and young adults.
• Leaders and innovators advancing the field through clinical program development, research, and advocacy.
• Educators and mentors dedicated to training future generations of clinicians in adolescent and young adult substance use care.

Clinical Training

AYA fellows receive broad, interdisciplinary clinical experience across hospital, outpatient, and community settings, building on the foundation of the General Addiction Medicine Fellowship. Core rotations include STARS, PWRC/PACES, Community, and Withdrawal Management. 

Longitudinal Sites

Fellows spend a half day each week in continuity clinic—six months at IM-REP and six months at CAYAH—and another half day weekly at Tadiso, Inc., except during STARS or rural rotations.

• Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Health (CAYAH): Provides integrated primary, specialty, and mental health care for individuals up to age 26.
• Internal Medicine-Recovery Engagement Program (IM-REP): An integrated primary care and addiction treatment clinic where fellows manage a longitudinal patient panel.
• Tadiso, Inc.: The largest opioid treatment program in Allegheny County, offering methadone-based medication treatment for opioid use disorder.

 

Outpatient and Community-Based Sites

AYA fellows rotate through a variety of youth-centered and community organizations to gain experience across diverse care models:

• 412 Youth Zone: Drop-in center for youth ages 16-23 facing housing instability or aging out of foster care.
• Center for Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Services (CPCDS): Dual-diagnosis clinic offering adolescent outpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs.
• SMART (Screening, Motivational Interviewing, and Referral to Treatment) Choices: Outpatient behavioral intervention program in Wexford providing substance use-related support for youth and their families.
• Community Intensive Supervision Program (CISP): Community-based alternative to residential placement for court-involved youth.
• Highland Detention Center: Juvenile detention site providing trauma-informed medical, mental health, and substance use care.
• University of Pittsburgh Student Health: University-based health center that provides primary and mental health care for undergraduate and graduate students

 

Rural Rotations

AYA fellows complete rural training experiences at:

• UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor: Integrated outpatient and IOP mental health and SUD care for adults and children in rural communities.
• UPMC Northwest: Rural inpatient and outpatient perinatal and general addiction services.

 

Didactic and Scholarly Activities

AYA fellows participate in all core didactic sessions and scholarly activities offered through the Addiction Medicine Fellowship, including journal clubs, case conferences, and ACAAM national didactics.

In addition, AYA fellows receive monthly teaching sessions on adolescent and young adult–specific topics, including social, developmental, and legal considerations, led by the AYA-AMF program faculty.

Program Leadership and Faculty

Margaret Shang, MD, MS
Program Director

Megana Dwarakanath, MD, MEd
Core Faculty

Payel Jhoom Roy, MD, MSc
Core Faculty

Ann McCurdy, MSW, LCSW
Social Work Lead

Benefits and Stipends

Fellow salaries align with UPMC’s GME Stipend Levels and include full health benefits.

Additional stipends cover:

• Travel and lodging for rural rotations (2 months total)
• ASAM conference registration, travel, and lodging (up to $2,000)
• Pennsylvania medical license and DEA license fees
• ACAAM membership and board prep materials
• ABPM Addiction Medicine board application and exam fees

How to Apply

Graduates from ACGME-accredited residencies and/or fellowships may apply for the AYA-AMF including but not limited to Pediatrics, Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Adolescent Medicine. We are particularly interested in individuals who are passionate about caring for individuals from medically underserved and/or rural communities. Due to our funding source, we are only able to consider applicants who are permanent residents or citizens of the United States at this time.

We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis for the 2026–2027 academic year. Please include your CV to apply.

For questions or to apply, contact Dr. Margaret Shang (shangm2@upmc.edu).