Program Overview
The Advanced Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program is designed for physicians who have completed training in pediatric hematology/oncology and seek to further develop advanced clinical expertise alongside rigorous research training.
The program emphasizes the integration of clinical excellence with scholarly activity, preparing fellows for careers as independent investigators and academic leaders in subspecialty areas.
The program aims to:
- Enhance and refine advanced clinical skills
- Develop subspecialty expertise in a focused area
- Foster independent research competency
- Promote scholarly productivity
- Support career development and transition to academic leadership
Fellows in the program will:
Maintain and Refine Clinical Excellence
- Participate in specialized clinical rotations aligned with research focus
- Integrate research insights into clinical practice
Advance Subspecialty Expertise
- Develop advanced knowledge in a defined focus area (e.g., bone marrow transplantation, brain tumors, cellular therapy, hematology, leukemia/lymphoma, survivorship, solid tumors)
- Apply mechanistic understanding to clinical care
- Establish a distinct niche within academic pediatric hematology/oncology
Develop Independent Research Competency
- Design, conduct, analyze, and interpret hypothesis-driven research
- Gain proficiency in laboratory, translational, clinical, outcomes, or population-based research
- Critically evaluate scientific literature
- Develop grant-writing skills (e.g., K08, K23, K12, physician-scientist pathways)
Demonstrate Scholarly Productivity
- Publish at least one first-author peer-reviewed manuscript
- Present research at national and/or international meetings
- Build a competitive portfolio for external funding
- Contribute to collaborative research initiatives
Career Development and Academic Transition
- Establish a Scholarship Oversight Committee with regular mentorship
- Define short-term (1–5 years) and long-term (5–10 years) career goals
- Prepare for transition to advanced research roles or faculty positions
- Demonstrate knowledge of research ethics and regulatory science
- Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and team science
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Clinical Experience
Fellows play an integral role in patient care, clinical management, and supervised medical decision-making.
Clinical Care Responsibilities
- Provide patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings within their subspecialty focus
- Participate in either:
- An additional half-day outpatient clinic weekly, or
- A minimum of 4 weeks of inpatient service (≥10% effort)
- Total clinical effort does not exceed 30% of training time
Supervision Structure
- All clinical activities are supervised by an attending physician
- A Pediatric Hematology/Oncology faculty member:
- Maintains oversight of patient care
- Serves as the physician of record
- Fellows gain increasing autonomy upon demonstrated competency
Continuity Clinic
- ½ to 1 day per week throughout the program
- Ongoing care for primary patients under faculty supervision
Inpatient & Outpatient Rotations
- Up to 12 weeks total
- Responsibilities include:
- Patient evaluation
- Care planning and team discussions
- Communication with patients and families
- All activities supervised by faculty
Research Commitment
- Up to 70% effort dedicated to research
- Research projects must:
- Be approved by the Program Director
- Be conducted under faculty mentorship
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Educational Curriculum
Educational Experiences & Didactics
The program includes a comprehensive curriculum of departmental and institutional educational activities.
Departmental Conferences
Leukemia/Lymphoma/Hematology & BMTCT Conference (Weekly)
- Covers hematology, oncology, and transplant topics
- Fellows present once annually (if aligned with focus area)
Neuro-Oncology Solid Tumor (NOST) Conference (Monthly)
- Focus on neuro-oncology and solid tumor trials
- Annual fellow presentation required (if applicable)
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow Education Series (Weekly)
- Core educational conference
- Fellows present once per year
Institutional Educational Programs
Grand Rounds (Weekly)
- Cutting-edge topics in pediatric hematology/oncology
Danny Thomas Lecture Series (Weekly)
- Distinguished institutional lecture series
Systems-Based Practice Seminars (Monthly)
- Focus on quality improvement, patient safety, and healthcare systems
Clinical Fellow Research Symposium (Annual)
Fellows present research for peer and faculty feedback
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Research Opportunities
The research component is a central pillar of the NST program, designed to develop independent physician-scientists.
Research Training Includes
- Hypothesis-driven project development
- Training in:
- Laboratory research
- Translational science
- Clinical and outcomes research
- Population-based methodologies
Mentorship & Oversight
- Faculty mentorship tailored to research focus
- Scholarship Oversight Committee for structured guidance
- Regular progress evaluations
Expected Outcomes
- Peer-reviewed publication(s)
- National/international presentations
- Competitive grant submissions
- Contribution to collaborative research programs
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Program Outcome
Graduates of the Advanced Pediatric Hematology/Oncology NST Program are prepared to become leaders in academic medicine, combining advanced clinical expertise with independent research capability.
Clinical Excellence
- Deliver high-quality, evidence-based care in specialized areas of pediatric hematology/oncology
- Integrate emerging research findings into clinical decision-making
- Demonstrate advanced competency in both inpatient and outpatient settings
Subspecialty Expertise
- Establish recognized expertise in a focused domain (e.g., leukemia/lymphoma, solid tumors, survivorship, cellular therapy, or hematology)
- Apply mechanistic and translational insights to patient care
- Serve as a clinical and academic resource within their specialty
Research Achievement
- Successfully design and execute independent, hypothesis-driven research
- Publish peer-reviewed manuscripts as first author
- Present findings at national and international scientific meetings
- Develop competitive applications for extramural funding (e.g., career development awards)
Academic Career Advancement
- Transition into roles such as:
- Physician-scientist instructor programs
- NIH/NCI K-award pathways (e.g., K08, K23, K12)
- Junior faculty positions in academic institutions
- Build a strong foundation for sustained academic productivity and leadership
Scholarly and Collaborative Impact
- Contribute meaningfully to multidisciplinary and collaborative research teams
- Engage in team science and institutional initiatives
- Demonstrate leadership in advancing the field of pediatric hematology/oncology
Professional Development
- Apply principles of research ethics and responsible conduct of research
- Develop long-term academic career plans
- Maintain ongoing mentorship relationships and professional growth
Applying for Fellowship
Eligibility
Applicants with medicine/pediatrics training who have completed fellowship training in pediatric hematology/oncology are preferred. However, exceptional applicants trained in general pediatrics, internal medicine and family medicine are also encouraged to apply.
International applicants must be ECFMG certified.
Application Process
To learn more about current openings and the application process, please apply here.
A complete application will consist of: a curriculum vitae (CV), personal statement, ECFMG certificate (international fellows only), and three (3) letters of recommendation. Applicants may apply at any time. Our interview season occurs in the fall for a July 1 start.