Postgraduate Physician Assistant Program in Oncology

Didactic Curriculum

The didactic component of the curriculum consists of lectures, multidisciplinary conferences and institutional lecture series. By working at a premier oncology research institution, participants will have the opportunity to become involved in research. At the end of the year, each PA will prepare a manuscript or poster suitable for publication on a relevant oncology topic.

Clinical Curriculum

The didactic portion of the curriculum is reinforced daily by hands-on training in a variety of settings, including multidisciplinary clinics, hospital wards, and the operating room. Trainees will become an integral part of the health care team, be supervised by an attending physician and gain the confidence and skills required to become a successful oncologic PA.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain skills in various surgical procedures, bone marrow aspiration, biopsy interpretation and management of immunocompromised patients. They will also gain experience in correlating the clinical evaluation of the patient with radiologic, laboratory and pathologic findings. During the year, PAs will rotate through 16 core rotations. In addition, time should be available for elective rotations.

• Breast Oncology
• Gastrointestinal Oncology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Head and Neck Oncology
• Infectious Diseases
  
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Palliative Care
• Radiology
• Sarcoma
• Stem Cell Transplant
• Neuro-oncology
• Thoracic Oncology
• Genitourinary Oncology
• Community Oncology
• Elective clinical rotations (time permitting) available including Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Oncology and Investigational Cancer Therapeutics

The competitive stipend for FY 25 is $105,000.  PA fellows receive various benefits as provided for MD Anderson clinical trainees. For information regarding these benefits, refer to the Clinical Education Trainee Manual noted above. PA fellows may incur some professional costs during the program to include books, professional organization membership fees, conference registration, etc. It is estimated that these expenses be no more than $1,000.

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate and have earned approximately 100 hours of continuing medical education credit. They may also discover future job opportunities by networking within MD Anderson Cancer Center.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
 

• Be a student or graduate in good standing of an Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) approved PA program
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (Masters degree preferred)
• Be a certified PA through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Obtain a Texas PA license prior to the program start date

Please email us at paponc@mdanderson.org with any questions.
Applications for the 2025-2026 PA Fellowship cohort will be accepted starting in June 1, 2024-July 28, 2024
Applications are due by 5 p.m. CST on Friday, July 28, 2024.  No late submissions will be accepted.

If you are interested in applying, please consider attending the virtual information session on July 1st at 12 pm using this LINK.  

Apply to this program using the Fellowship Application Form. The following documents are required:

• References. You will be asked to submit the names and contact information for two individuals who will be contacted by our office on your behalf.  If employed, one reference must be from a current supervising physician. New graduates must provide at least one reference from their program director or a clinical faculty member.
• Personal statement
• Curriculum vitae 
• Physician Assistant Fellowship Knowledge Assessment
• Original transcripts from PA school attended must be submitted directly to the PA office if you are offered a position.  During the application process, unofficial transcripts can be submitted through the Fellowship Application Form.
• 2 Professional References.  Each reference will be requested to write a letter of recommendation (LOR).  Please select your references based on the following:
  • One reference will be requested to write a LOR discussing and assessing your clinical acumen and skills
    
  • One reference will be requested to write a LOR discussing and assessing your didactic capacity and ability

We also would like to learn more about you and your interest in oncology.  Within your curriculum vitae (CV) and personal statement, we encourage you to include information in any or all of the following areas:

•  Professional Goals and Interest in Oncology
•  Clinical/Research/Employment Experience in the field of oncology
•  Graduate coursework and projects
•  Clinical research experience
•  Professional publications
•  Honors and awards
•  Volunteer experience 

Selection Process

Applicants are selected based on their academic achievement, interpersonal skills and an established interest in oncology.  Those with an interest in PA education and leadership are encouraged to apply.  Top applicants are invited to interview.  Depending on budget, typically three PA fellow positions are filled each cohort year.

Timeline of Events

• Application period for 2025-2026 cohort begins:  June 1, 2024
• Application due date: July 28, 2024
• Invite to Interview:  September 2024
  
• Interview Day (required):  November 2024
• Notification of acceptance: December 2024
  
• Program Start Date:  April 2025
• Program End Date:  March 2026

PLEASE NOTE:  These dates and timeline may be subject to change.