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Solid Tumor Fellowship Program

Providing exceptional clinical training in the diagnosis, evaluation and multidisciplinary management of pediatric solid tumor patients

We offer one of the few comprehensive pediatric Solid Tumor fellowship programs in the country. As a clinical fellow in our Solid Tumor fellowship program, you will receive state-of-the-art training in the diagnosis and treatment of common and uncommon solid tumors. Our fellows will gain expertise in cutting-edge therapies and will rotate in several services, including pathology, diagnostic imaging and clinical genomics. You will be part of a select cohort of clinical fellows across numerous pediatric sub-specialties, including:

  • Hematology/Oncology
  • Neuro-Oncology
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Psychosocial
  • Infectious Diseases

Our Clinical Program

The Solid Tumor clinical program at St. Jude treats patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed solid malignancies. In many cases, these patients cannot optimally be treated at other centers. Our team has expertise in:

  • Neuroblastoma
  • Retinoblastoma
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Melanoma
  • Endocrine tumors
  • Other rare cancers
  • Developmental therapeutics

Our clinic sees approximately 200 new solid tumor patients per year. The outpatient clinic has dedicated nurses and nurse practitioners. The inpatient unit is shared with neuro-oncology and is well staffed with hematology oncology fellows, nurse practitioners and residents. Solid tumor fellows have the option to do a limited number of inpatient weeks and act as a “junior attending” if they wish to do so during their one-year training.

We emphasize interdisciplinary care with multiple specialties including radiation oncology, surgery, orthopedic oncology, interventional radiology, diagnostic imaging, pathology and clinical genomics.

Learn more about our Solid Tumor Treatment Program

Our Research Program

The mission of the Division of Solid Tumor is to improve the survival and quality of life for children with solid tumors by integrating basic, translational and clinical research. Close collaborative interactions with other programs promote discoveries that can be translated to the clinic more effectively.

Learn more about the Division of Solid Tumor

Our research has identified novel therapeutic combinations with immunotherapy and chemotherapy for neuroblastoma, PARP inhibitors for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma, and antiangiogenic combination therapies for sarcomas.

Learn more about our active clinical trials


Fellowship Program

The fellowship position is for 1 year and can begin at any time, but a July 1-June 30 schedule is preferred.

  1. As a Solid Tumor fellow, you will work directly with the best solid tumor researchers and clinicians to treat and diagnose new and relapsed patients. You will learn how to interpret genomic data from these patients. You will also have the opportunity to customize your training based on your research interests following the completion of your general requirements.

    Under the supervision of an attending physician, you will diagnose patients and develop a therapeutic plan based on interactions with members of the surgery and radiation oncology teams. Each of our fellows works closely with attending physicians to help develop new protocols. You will also participate in a weekly multidisciplinary sarcoma meeting and will present at tumor board.

    During your fellowship, you will be expected to identify one or two research projects that, with the mentoring of an attending, should lead to national presentations and peer-reviewed publications.  

  2. We provide fellows with a strong clinical foundation while customizing training to each individual’s professional goals. A typical schedule includes:

    • Clinic up to 3 full days a week
    • Optional inpatient rotation
    • 2-4-week pathology rotation (includes clinical genomics)
    • 2-week rotations in:
      • Diagnostic imaging
      • Radiation oncology
      • Cancer predisposition

    Fellows will attend 1-2 sessions of exams under anesthesia for retinoblastoma, 1-2 limb salvage clinics and biweekly “Clinical and Translational Research in Solid Tumors” meetings.

Applying for Fellowship

Eligibility

Eligible applicants will have completed a pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship. International applicants must be ECFMG certified.

Application Process

To learn more about current openings and the application process, please email Alberto Pappo, MD, Fellowship Program Director. A complete application will consist of: a curriculum vitae (CV), personal statement, and three (3) letters of recommendation. Applicants may apply at any time. Our interview season is flexible, but typically occurs in the fall for a July 1 start.

Inquire about applying

 
 
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