Clinical Informatics Fellowship

Program Overview

The UPMC Clinical Informatics Fellowship prepares physicians to become innovative leaders in the rapidly evolving field of clinical informatics. Our mission is to train fellows to use information systems, data science, leadership, and change management to improve patient care, enhance population health, and advance the science of healthcare delivery.

Leveraging the vast resources of UPMC’s integrated health care system and the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI), fellows gain comprehensive, hands-on training in the theory and practice of clinical informatics. Graduates of the program are equipped to serve as Chief Medical Information Officers (CMIOs), Chief Analytics Officers (CAOs), Chief Research Informatics Officers (CRIOs), and other healthcare leaders who drive innovation across clinical, academic, and community settings.

Clinical Informatics, as defined by the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), is “the application of informatics and information technology to deliver healthcare services.” Since becoming a board-eligible subspecialty in 2011, clinical informatics has emerged as a critical discipline within modern health systems. Physicians completing this two-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship are eligible for certification through the American Board of Preventive Medicine and are prepared to lead in informatics-intensive environments.

Our curriculum combines immersive clinical rotations and structured didactic training. Fellows gain real-world experience across diverse domains, including inpatient and ambulatory informatics, population health, data analytics, and system implementation, while also completing formal coursework through DBMI’s Certificate Program in Biomedical Informatics. Complementary opportunities include research projects, journal clubs, and elective training through the Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE) and UPMC Wolff Learning Academy. In addition, fellows are encouraged to maintain limited independent clinical practice in their primary specialty to stay grounded in patient care and firsthand workflow experience – key insights that drive effective informatics solutions.

Clinical informatics is not about computer programming; it is about understanding how technology and data can empower clinicians, improve efficiency, and transform care delivery. Our fellowship graduates leave prepared to lead this transformation, translating information into innovation for the benefit of patients, providers, and health systems alike.