Hematology/Oncology Fellowship

Program Faculty
 

Program Administration
 

We offer a fully integrated, three-year hematology and medical oncology program. The first 18 months of training incorporates 12 months of clinical rotation, which includes both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies with 6 months of benign hematology. The ACGME core competencies and milestones are achieved through a required set of rotations, a didactic curriculum and elective rotations designed to broaden the base of knowledge.

Our fellows, faculty, and program are continuously evaluated to ensure success in achieving these competencies, goals and objectives. For the remaining 18 months, the fellow is encouraged to pursue clinical research pursuits and to develop skills and projects to compete for national presentations and awards. Our program offers flexibility during this time period in which fellows can pursue a wide range of interests. Some of the opportunities include spending time in a basic science laboratory, developing skills in clinical and translational research, pursuing a master’s degree, training in quality improvement methods, developing teaching skills required to be a clinician educator, to name a few.

The general structure of the rotations is listed below, with each rotation lasting approximately one month. While most fellows double-board in hematology and medical oncology, some single board in medical oncology.

Medical Oncology Rotations:

• Breast Medical Oncology
• Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
• Genitourinary Medical Oncology
• Melanoma Medical Oncology
• Neuro-Oncology/Gynecological Oncology & Reproductive Medicine
• Palliative Care 
• Sarcoma Medical Oncology
• Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology
• LBJ General Hospital Oncology Consultation Services

Malignant Hematology Rotations: 

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Stem Cell Transplant

Benign Hematology Rotations:

• MD Anderson Hematology Consults
• LBJ General Hospital Hematology Consults
• Houston Methodist Hematology Consults
  
• Ben Taub Hematology Consults
  
• Benign Hematology Outpatient Clinics
  

Fellows have formal education through clinical teaching, lectures, and conferences. Some educational highlights of the hematology and oncology fellowship program include:

Academic Tuesday: This is a half-day dedicated to fellow education. This time is protected from other clinical duties. Fellows attend the Division of Cancer Medicine Grand Rounds, then have 2-3 lectures taught by faulty on a rotating list of topics in hematology and oncology, covering a core curriculum while also highlighting the most recent work in each field. Fellows also give one lecture per year, either on an interesting case, a journal club, or a research presentation.

LBJ Clinic: While participating in the LBJ General Hospital Oncology clinic, fellows participate in a morning report designed to discuss all new patients and provide learning points. Faculty also lead a curriculum designed to build the fellows’ fund of knowledge. Fellows learn from faculty in the clinical setting as well. Finally, fellows participate in multidisciplinary tumor boards with several specialties with the goal of coming to a consensus for a patient’s care. Fellows are expected to be the one primarily responsible for a patient’s care at LBJ, offering a great deal of autonomy and a unique and valuable learning experience.

MD Anderson Board Review Course: MD Anderson hosts a week-long board review course each fall. Fellows are given course materials and are welcome to attend lectures, taught by leading faculty across the country.
 

Intro to Research Series: First-year fellows participate in an Introduction to Research Series, in which leaders at MD Anderson highlight research opportunities that fellows can pursue throughout their time in the program. Fellows hear from each department within the Division of Cancer Medicine about topics that include:
 

• Support for Grant Writing
• Basic Science
• Clinical Investigation
• Translational Research
• Quality Improvement
• Value Based Health Care
  
  

In addition to the common curricular elements required of all fellows, the program has developed educational tracks to hone the clinical and research outcomes of each fellow.  All fellows must declare a training track at the beginning of their second year. 

Master Clinician Track

1. A minimum of six (6) half-day clinics per week for sixteen (16) of the twenty-four (24) months of the fellow’s second and third years of fellowship training. These clinical experiences must include six (6) months of a half-day LBJ Hematology clinic.
   2. Must lead a patient safety or quality improvement project or complete the Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Course.
   3. Publication: Book Chapter, review article, or case report.

Clinical Investigator Track 

1. Application for the ASCO/ASH Young Investigator Award or other peer reviewed extramural funding support in the fall of the second or third year of fellowship training.
   2. Design and submission of a prospective clinical trial in a format acceptable to the Clinical Research Committee.
   
   OPTIONAL AND ENCOURAGED:

• Application to ASCO/AACR Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop.
• Enrollment in a Master’s program or other formal training that advances the fellow’s aspirations as a Clinical Investigator.

Physician Scientist Track

1. One half day oncology continuity clinic throughout the three years.
   2. Application for the ASCO/ASH Young Investigator Award or other peer reviewed extramural funding support in the fall of the second or third year of fellowship training.
   3. A minimum of one publication as first author of original research in a peer-reviewed journal.
   
   OPTIONAL AND ENCOURAGED: 

• Application to AACR Molecular Biology in clinical Oncology Workshop (Aspen/Snowmass).

Clinical Educator Track

1. A minimum of six (6) half-day clinics per week for sixteen (16) of the twenty-four (24) months of the fellow’s second and third years of fellowship training. These clinical experiences must include six (6) months of a half-day LBJ Hematology clinic.
   2. Publication: Book Chapter, review article, or case report (preferably focused on Education or Curricular Development).
   3. Leadership in QI or simulation activities.
   
   OPTIONAL AND ENCOURAGED 

• Master’s in Education.
• Completion of the Physician Educator Certificate Program (PECP)
   

Following fellowship training, fellows may compete for entry into the Division of Cancer Medicine Advanced Scholar Program. This program provides for 100% protected time to concentrate their efforts intensively in an area of investigation and practice started in the fellowship program. Completion of the Advanced Scholar Program positions each scholar for success in a tenure-track position in academic medicine.

ERAS opens for new applications on July 5, 2024. The deadline for submission of applications will be Aug. 31, 2024. Interviews will tentatively be conducted during the months of September and October.

Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) only.

Required documents for all applicants:

• Curricula vitae
• Personal statement
• USMLE or COMLEX transcript
• (2) Letters of recommendation, plus
• (1) Letter of recommendation from your program director
• Medical school transcript
• Photograph (optional)

Additional documents for foreign medical school applicants:

Note: Documents in a language other than English must be submitted with a certified translation.

• Transcript of  all college education
• ECFMG certificate

Additional documentation may be required before a candidate can be appointed.

Sample contract for prospective trainees:

A sample contract for prospective trainees may be viewed here.

Eligibility:

• Successful completion of a three-year ACGME-accredited internal medicine residency program in the U.S. or a four-year Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada-accredited internal medicine residency program in Canada.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, hold U.S. permanent residency, or posses a J-1 visa. The program does not sponsor any other type of visa.
• Eligibility to take the American Board of Internal Medicine's certification exam in internal medicine.
• Also see General Admission Requirements for MD Anderson Cancer Center Graduate Medical Education and Information for GME Applicants.
  

Review and Selection Process:

• Application Review: A committee composed of program leaders conducts a comprehensive, holistic review of each application. Candidates are then selected for interviews.
• Interviews: The selected applicants are invited for virtual interviews with faculty and chief fellows, which take place over a half-day in September or October.  Additionally, applicants will also have an opportunity to meet virtually with current fellows prior to the interview day.
• Rank List: With the collective input of the interviewers and program leaders, the final rank list is formulated.
• Matching: All fellows are selected through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).

• Compensation: GME Stipend Levels
• Vacation: 4 weeks per year with flexibility on choice of vacation time.
• Travel Funds: Fellows are provided with annual funds to attend conferences and professional development workshops ($1500 for first year fellows and $2300 for second and third year fellows).
• Comprehensive Study Resources: Our porgram provides fellows with access to essential resources for board preparation and professional development, including ASCO-SEP, ASH-SAP, and HOQ.
• Fitness Facilities: Free access to the 16,000 squarefoot instiutional fitness center with strength-training cardiovascular equipment, yoga, spin and group exercise rooms. Additionally, online classes and pre-recorded programs are offered. Free group classes are available to MD Anderson employees. Personal trainers are normally available for a fee.
• Benefits: Complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, and disability insurance, a parking subsidy, institutional cell phone and laptop. Please see Graduate Medical Educuation Trainee Manual for full details.
• Parental/Familty Leave: In accordance with ACGME requirements, we provide up to six weeks of paid parental and family leave during training.
• More information for applicants is available here.