Can international applicants apply?
As of 2022, Applicants should be graduates of a U.S.-based medical school/ doctoral program or have completed their residency/ fellowship or post-doctorate education in the U.S.
Is the Fellows fee refundable?
No. The fee is non-refundable.
Can I receive a deadline extension?
In order to be respectful of the other applicants and the application reviewers, the deadline may not be extended. However, eligible applicants are encouraged to apply early, contact membership@lifestylemedicine.org if they have any questions upfront, or apply next year.
Can my application be deferred if I am short of the requirements?
Yes, your application can be deferred. If you apply for the designation this year and your application is short of the requirements, you will need to re-submit the new/additional documents. You will not be required to pay the fee twice.
What documents should I submit?
Anything that can corroborate what you have included on your application. The documents can be payment receipts, screenshots, slide decks, abstract pages, URL links, etc.
How long does it take to process my application?
It depends. Processing takes a bit of time to gather and evaluate documentation. The more documentation submitted upfront, the less processing it takes on the back-end. Please note that the review committee will review all applications once the window has closed.
Can Master-level or Bachelor-level individuals apply? Yes. As of 2023, eligibility for Fellowship in the College has expanded to include licensed clinical team members holding a master’s degree* earned from an accredited** academic institution.
*Bachelor’s level clinicians licensed in fields that now require a master’s degree are also eligible to apply.
**Accreditation verified via https://www.chea.org/directories
Do I need to have two sponsorship letters? No. You need to have two sponsorship forms completed on your behalf. Please have your requested sponsors complete this form before the Fellows application deadline.
Can I apply if I am outside the US?
You may apply, but please note that Fellows status is not guaranteed as an international member. You should be a graduate of a U.S.-based medical school/doctoral program or have completed residency/fellowship in the U.S. International members are expected to apply for fellows in their home country if there is an established lifestyle medicine association. We may review the application, but only rare exceptions are made for non-US applicants. Non-US applicants will not receive a refund if they choose to continue with their application and are not awarded the Fellows designation.