Program Overview
The Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Fellowship Program is designed to prepare physicians with advanced clinical expertise in the comprehensive care of children and young adults with sickle cell disease.
The program emphasizes prevention, diagnosis, and management of both acute and chronic complications, while fostering a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to care.
-
Educational Goals
Fellows in the program will:
- Develop advanced clinical knowledge of SCD pathophysiology and disease biology
- Deliver evidence-based care aligned with current standards and emerging therapies
- Demonstrate proficiency in multidisciplinary care through collaboration with:
- Transfusion medicine
- Pain management
- Pulmonology
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Psychology
- Social work
- Support patients and families through effective transition to adult care services
- Engage in scholarly activities, including quality improvement and research initiatives
Fellowships are for one year. A fellowship can begin at any time, but a July 1 - June 30 schedule is preferred.
-
Clinical Experience
Fellows provide care in both inpatient and outpatient settings under the supervision of hematology faculty.
Patient Care & Clinical Leadership
- Initially work under direct supervision until competency is demonstrated
- Progressively assume leadership in clinical decision-making
- Lead patient and family discussions as skills advance
- Ultimately prepare for autonomous clinical practice
A hematology attending physician:
- Provides continuous supervision
- Maintains oversight of care
- Remains the physician of record
Clinical Structure
Inpatient Experience
- Duration: 1–2 months
- Rotations at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and adult SCD centers
- Supervised by hematology faculty
Outpatient Experience
St. Jude SCD Clinic
- 3 half-days per week
- Fellows manage primary patients under faculty supervision
Partner Clinics
- 2 half-days per week
- Focus on adolescent and adult SCD care
We also have a Global Hematology Program, led by Dr. Jane Hankins. One of the focuses of this program is to improve the health of individuals with SCD around the world.
-
Educational Curriculum
Institutional Learning
Grand Rounds (Weekly)
- Covers key topics in pediatric hematology and oncology
Systems-Based Practice Seminars (Monthly)
- Focus on quality improvement, patient safety, and healthcare systems
Clinical Fellow Research Symposium (Annual)
- Platform for fellows to present and receive feedback on research
-
Program-Specific Education
Hematology Case Conference (Weekly)
- Evidence-based case discussions
- Fellows actively participate and present 4 cases annually with literature review
Regional One Health Case Conference (Weekly)
- Multidisciplinary case discussions
- Fellows present cases from their clinical experience
Hematology Education Conference (Monthly)
- Reviews clinical trials, guidelines, and emerging therapies
- Fellows participate as learners
Hematology Research Seminar Series (Monthly)
- Presentations by national and international experts
- Fellows engage in discussions and expand research knowledge
- Final fellow research/QI presentation required
-
Patient, Family & Community Education
Fellows are trained to:
- Educate patients and families about SCD and its management
- Promote disease understanding and self-management strategies
- Support community awareness and engagement
Facilitate smooth transitions across the continuum of care
-
Research Opportunities
Fellows are expected to actively contribute to advancing SCD care through research and quality improvement.
Key Components
- Protected research time (Wednesdays and Fridays)
- Structured mentorship from faculty
- Opportunities include:
- Quality improvement initiatives
- Collaborative research projects
- Independent research studies
Fellows will:
- Present their work at institutional forums
- Participate in the annual Clinical Fellow Research Symposium
- Deliver a final presentation of their project prior to program completion
-
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the SCD NST Fellowship Program are equipped to:
- Deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary SCD care
- Lead clinical teams in both pediatric and adult settings
- Contribute to advancements in SCD research and quality improvement
- Support lifelong care transitions for patients with SCD
Applying for Fellowship
Eligibility
Applicants who have completed training at ACGME accredited residency or fellowship program in pediatric hematology/oncology, adult hematology/oncology internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics or medicine/pediatrics are welcome to apply. International applicants must be ECFMG certified and H1B eligible.
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), three (3) letters of recommendation and a medical school transcript. Applicants may apply at any time. Our interview season starts in the fall of each year, and applicants are informed about the decision in the winter of each year. Applicants will start near July 1st of the academic year.