Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program Structure

As a fellow in our Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program, you will rotate through various clinical settings and subspecialties to gain comprehensive training and experience. Below is an outline of the typical rotations you will undergo during your fellowship:

1. Inpatient Hematology and Oncology

  • Duration: Several months across the fellowship.
  • Focus: Diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with acute hematologic and oncologic conditions.
  • Experience: Work with multidisciplinary teams, manage complex cases, and participate in daily rounds.

2. Outpatient Clinics

  • Duration: Ongoing throughout the fellowship.
  • Focus: Long-term care of patients with chronic hematologic and oncologic diseases.
  • Experience: Follow-up care, management of side effects, and supportive care. Exposure to various subspecialty clinics such as lymphoma, leukemia,solid tumors, gynecological oncology .

3. Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit

  • Duration: 1 month.
  • Focus: Pre-transplant evaluation, transplant procedures, and post-transplant care.
  • Experience: Work with patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic transplants, manage complications, and collaborate with the BMT team.

4. Hematopathology (Optional)

  • Duration: 1 month.
  • Focus: Diagnostic techniques in hematopathology, including bone marrow biopsies, blood smears, and flow cytometry.
  • Experience: Work closely with pathologists to understand the laboratory diagnosis of hematologic diseases.

5. Radiation Oncology (Outpatient Clinic)

  • Duration: 1 month.
  • Focus: Principles and practice of radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer.
  • Experience: Observe and participate in planning and delivery of radiation treatments, learn about radiation safety and side effect management.

6. Palliative Care 

  • Duration: 1 month.
  • Focus: Principles of palliative care, including symptom management, end-of-life care, and communication skills.
  • Experience: Provide compassionate care to patients with advanced disease, work with palliative care teams, and understand the holistic approach to patient care.

7.  Gynecological Oncology (Outpatient Clinic)

  • Duration: 1 month
  • Focus: This rotation focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancers affecting the female reproductive system, including ovarian, uterine, cervical, and vulvar cancers. 
  • Experience: The rotation aims to provide fellows with comprehensive exposure to surgical oncology, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and palliative care specific to gynecologic cancers.under Direct supervision of Gynecological Oncologist 

8. Research Rotation

  • Duration: Few months, often spread across the fellowship.
  • Focus:  Actively participating in protocol discussions, Site qualifications visits, Site initiation visits, Trial oversight as well as enrolling patients and following patients  of phase 1 , 2 and 3 clinical research for various oncologic and hematologic conditions. 
  • Experience: Design and execute research projects, analyze data, publish findings, and present at conferences. Collaborate with experienced researchers and mentors.

9. Elective Rotations

  • Duration: Variable, typically 1-3 months each year.
  • Focus: Tailored to individual interests and career goals.
  • Experience: Options may include specialized areas such as coagulation disorders, immunotherapy, precision medicine, pediatric hematology/oncology, or global oncology.

Evaluation and Feedback

Throughout your rotations, you will receive regular feedback from faculty and mentors to help you progress and achieve your learning objectives. Formal evaluations will be conducted at the end of each rotation to assess your performance and provide guidance for improvement.  We are committed to providing you with a diverse and enriching fellowship experience that prepares you for a successful career in hematology and oncolog4o

Educational Activities:

   Lectures and Seminars: Regular educational sessions on various hematologic and oncologic topics.

   Tumor Boards and Case Discussions: Multidisciplinary meetings to discuss complex cases and develop comprehensive treatment plans.

   Workshops and Conferences: Opportunities to attend and present at regional and national conferences, fostering professional development and networking.

Mentorship and Support

Our program prides itself on the strong mentorship and support offered by our faculty. You will have regular meetings with your mentors to discuss your progress, career goals, and any challenges you may encounter. Our goal is to foster an environment where you feel supported and inspired to achieve your full potential.

Professional Development

In addition to clinical and research training, we emphasize professional development. You will have opportunities to:

  • Present at National Conferences: Share your research findings and network with peers and leaders in the field.
  • Publish Research: Contribute to scientific literature with guidance from experienced researchers.
  • Develop Leadership Skills: Participate in workshops and activities designed to enhance your leadership abilities.

Wellness and Work-Life Balance

We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Our program offers wellness resources and activities to support your physical and mental health throughout your fellowship. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources and prioritize your well-being.

Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Block Schedule

The block schedule for a Hematology and Oncology Fellowship typically spans over two to three years and is designed to provide comprehensive training across various subspecialties and settings. Below is an example of a block schedule for a 36-month fellowship program.

Year 1

  • Inpatient Hematology and Inpatient Oncology (8 months): Management of acute hematologic disorders, bone marrow biopsies, and daily rounds. Care of patients with solid tumors, participation in multidisciplinary tumor boards
  • Outpatient Clinics (2 months): cultivate comprehensive expertise in the outpatient management of oncology and hematology patients, focusing on developing clinical acumen, enhancing patient care, and integrating multidisciplinary approaches to treatment in a real-world setting.
  • Continuity Clinic (Once a week): consistent and comprehensive outpatient experience that fosters the development of long-term patient relationships, enhances diagnostic and management skills, and integrates evidence-based practice with patient-centered care
  • Research/Elective (1 month): Begin research project or elective rotation in a subspecialty of interest.

Year 2

  • Inpatient Hematology and Oncology (3 month): Advanced hematologic case management and Continued management of complex oncology cases ,Tumor boards, daily rounds and participation of multidisciplinary tumor boards
  • Outpatient Clinics (6 months): To cultivate comprehensive expertise in the outpatient management of oncology and hematology patients, focusing on developing clinical acumen, enhancing patient care, and integrating multidisciplinary approaches to treatment in a real-world setting.
  • Continuity Clinic (Once a week): consistent and comprehensive outpatient experience that fosters the development of long-term patient relationships, enhances diagnostic and management skills, and integrates evidence-based practice with patient-centered care
  • Elective Rotation (2 months): Tailored to fellow's interest (e.g., coagulation disorders, pediatric hematology/oncology).
  • Research (1 month): Continued research project work.

Year 3

  • Inpatient Hematology and Oncology (1 month): Leadership role in managing inpatient services.
  • Outpatient Clinics (5 months): To cultivate comprehensive expertise in the outpatient management of oncology and hematology patients, focusing on developing clinical acumen, enhancing patient care, and integrating multidisciplinary approaches to treatment in a real-world setting. At this point fellows should be able to manage most of cases with minimal supervision and direction.
  • Continuity Clinic (Once a week): consistent and comprehensive outpatient experience that fosters the development of long-term patient relationships, enhances diagnostic and management skills, and integrates evidence-based practice with patient-centered care
  • Bone Marrow Transplant (1 month): Finalize training in transplant procedures.
  • Elective Rotation (3 months): Advanced elective in chosen subspecialty.
  • Research (2 months): Continued research project work.

Key Component of Rotations 

  • Inpatient Rotations: Essential for developing skills in acute care, managing complex cases, and working within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Outpatient Clinics: The outpatient clinic experience is integral to the fellowship, providing a platform for fellows to refine their clinical skills, develop long-term patient relationships, and contribute to high-quality, patient-centered care in Hematology and Oncology.
  • Bone Marrow Transplant: Critical for fellows interested in hematologic malignancies and stem cell transplantation.
  • Research: Integral part of the fellowship, encouraging contributions to the scientific community and evidence-based practice.
  • Electives: Allows customization of training to fit career goals and interests.
  • Palliative Care: Ensures fellows are equipped with skills in symptom management and compassionate care.