Fellowship Details & Requirements

Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) only. ERAS opens for new applications on July 3, 2025. The deadline for submission of applications will be Aug. 31, 2025. Interviews will tentatively be conducted during the months of September and October.

Required documents for all applicants:

• Curriculum 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 graduates:

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.

We offer a fully integrated hematology and medical oncology three-year program. For those pursuing eligibility for dual certification, the first 18 months of the program are dedicated to clinical education. During this time, fellows participate in the evaluation and management of patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Fellows participate in a continuity clinic at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in their first year and in a general oncology clinic at our affiliated county hospital in their second year. Other continuity clinics are also required in the second and/or third years to become board-eligible in both hematology and medical oncology.

Preparation for medical oncology certification incorporates training in the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of neoplastic disease. Each fellow is expected to be familiar with the natural history of the major and common human malignancies and knowledgeable about appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Hematology preparation is designed to incorporate the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of hematologic disorders. At the conclusion of this track, fellows are expected to be familiar with the natural history of hematologic and hemostatic disorders and hematologic malignancies.

To complete certification requirements, fellows are expected to develop concentrated expertise in one or more areas of clinical, basic or translational research. Projects are reviewed on a regular basis, and formal reports and presentations are required annually. It is anticipated that each fellow will leave this program as a competent, skilled oncologist with the ability to develop as an independent investigator in either a laboratory-based or clinically oriented research program.

Learning Objectives

Provide a well-rounded educational experience for clinical training in medical oncology and hematology with comprehensive understanding of principles and treatment technique

• Provide an environment that promotes clinical expertise in hematology and oncology with exposure to the details of treatment for the full spectrum of disease sites, the pathology in each disease site, and the alternative surgical and medical oncologic options
• Foster a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care through participation in disease-site-oriented, combined conferences with highly specialized hematologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, pathologists and radiologists
• Introduce and promote clinical research through retrospective and prospective evaluations of patients treated at MD Anderson
• Provide a background in the fundamentals of laboratory research and the opportunity to participate in a laboratory based, translational project

The Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowships at MD Anderson Cancer Center offer several tracks to allow you to tailor your training to your career goals. All fellows will receive a strong foundation in clinical oncology through rotations in different areas like breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer and leukemia. In your second year, you will choose a track that provides focused training in areas like research, education or clinical care.

• Clinical Investigator Track: Designed for those who want to develop research skills alongside their clinical training
• Physician-Scientist Track: For fellows who want to focus on laboratory research in areas like genetics and molecular biology
• Master Clinician Track: Provides the opportunity to gain extensive experience in patient care and clinical practice
• Clinician Educator Track: Focuses on training future educators for medical schools and residency programs
  

Common elements to all tracks include:

• 36 months of fellowship training
• Strong foundation in medical oncology
• Research mentorship and opportunities
• Participation in quality improvement and educational activities
• Publication in a peer-reviewed journal as part of scholarly and research activities

Our Fellows: Grant-Winning Powerhouses in Cancer Research

Our fellowship program isn't just about developing your skills – it's about empowering you to make a real impact in the fight against cancer. Our fellows have secured over $3 million in funding to support their groundbreaking research.

These awards, from prestigious organizations like the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Conquer Cancer, The ASCO Foundation and the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF), are a testament to the exceptional caliber of our fellows and the impactful research they're conducting.

Here's a glimpse of their success over just the past 5 years (they have accomplished much more before that):
 

• Numbers speak volumes: Our fellows have secured over 52 awards, ranging from $10,000 to $250,000, in funding over the past 5 years.
  
  
• Major Award Types and Sponsors:
  • ASCO Young Investigator Award (YIA): Sponsored by the Conquer Cancer Foundation, our fellows have been awarded this prestigious grant 37 times.
  • Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program: Sponsored by the Lymphoma Research Foundation, our fellows have received this award 5 times.
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant: Sponsored by the Lymphoma Research Foundation, our fellows have received this grant 3 times.
  • ASH Minority Hematology Fellow Award: Sponsored by the American Society of Hematology, our fellows have been awarded this grant 3 times.
  • Other notable sponsors include: the Ladies Leukemia League, the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the Kidney Cancer Association, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, and the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
     
• Real-world impact: This funding supports a wide range of groundbreaking research, including projects focused on:
  • Diversity and inclusion in breast cancer research (supported by the Conquer Cancer Foundation's ASCO YIA for Diversity, Inclusion and Breast Cancer Disparities award)
  • Developing new treatments for blood cancers (supported by awards from the American Society of Hematology and the Lymphoma Research Foundation)
  • Finding cures for rare cancers (supported by awards from the Kidney Cancer Association, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, and Lung Cancer Research Foundation)
    

Check out a selection of our most recent fellow publications below

Amouzegar, Afsaneh et al. “Navigating the Complexities of Brain Metastases Management.” American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting vol. 44,3 (2024): e433694. doi:10.1200/EDBK_433694

Bhamidipati, Deepak et al. “Exceptional Responses to Selpercatinib in RET Fusion-Driven Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer.” JCO precision oncology vol. 7 (2023): e2300252. doi:10.1200/PO.23.00252

Pan, Kelsey et al. “Emerging therapeutics and evolving assessment criteria for intracranial metastases in patients with oncogene-driven non small-cell lung cancer.” Nature reviews. Clinical oncology vol. 20,10 (2023): 716-732. doi:10.1038/s41571-023-00808-4

Davidson, Tara M et al. “Pregnancy-associated melanoma: characteristics and outcomes from 2002 to 2020.” Melanoma research vol. 34,2 (2024): 175-181. doi:10.1097/CMR.0000000000000953

Denu, Ryan A et al. “Utility of Clinical Next Generation Sequencing Tests in KIT/PDGFRA/SDH Wild-Type Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.” Cancers vol. 16,9 1707. 27 Apr. 2024, doi:10.3390/cancers16091707

Hornstein, Nicholas J et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab in Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma.” Cancer research communications vol. 4,5 (2024): 1363-1368. doi:10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-24-0019

Jackson, Inimfon, and Edward Bley. “Racial/ethnic disparities in inpatient palliative care utilization and hospitalization outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer.” Cancer causes & control : CCC vol. 35,4 (2024): 711-717. doi:10.1007/s10552-023-01844-2

Our fellowship leadership team is composed of distinguished faculty with a wealth of experience in clinical care, research, and education. They are dedicated to fellows’ education and professional development and committed to ensuring an exceptional training experience that will serve as the foundation of a successful career.
 

Administrative Leadership
 

Notable Alumni

Our fellowship program is proud to have fostered the careers of exceptional individuals who are now making significant contributions to the field. Among our distinguished alumni are:

• Hagop Kantarjian, M.D.
  • A world-renowned hematologist and oncologist, Dr. Kantarjian has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for patients with leukemia. His pioneering research has led to the development of groundbreaking treatments and has significantly advanced the field.
• Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D.
  • A leading expert in gastrointestinal oncology, Dr. Kopetz is recognized for his innovative clinical trials and translational research focused on colorectal cancer. His work has had a profound impact on patient care and survival.
• Michael Davies, M.D., Ph.D.
  • A highly respected melanoma specialist, Dr. Davies is at the forefront of developing novel therapies and improving outcomes for patients with this challenging disease. His expertise in immunotherapy and targeted therapies has transformed the treatment landscape.
• Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D. 
  • A dedicated advocate for cancer patients, Dr. Patt combines her clinical expertise with a deep understanding of health care policy to address the complex challenges faced by patients and their families. Her leadership in the field has been instrumental in improving access to care and quality of life.
• Sharon Giordano, M.D.
  • A pioneer in cancer care delivery and disparities research, Dr. Giordano is committed to ensuring equitable access to high quality care for all patients. Her work has led to significant improvements in the delivery of cancer care and has helped to address health disparities.
• Rachna Shroff, M.D., MS, FASCO
  • A distinguished physician-scientist, Dr. Shroff is at the forefront of research and clinical care for pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers. Her innovative work is focused on developing new treatments and improving patient outcomes.
• Mariana Chavez Macgregor, M.D.
  • A leading expert in patient-centered care, Dr. Chavez Macgregor has dedicated her career to enhancing the patient experience and improving quality of life for cancer survivors. Her research has led to significant improvements in patient satisfaction and care delivery.
• Van Morris, M.D.
  •  A distinguished medical oncologist and researcher, Dr. Van Morris is a leading expert in gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at MD Anderson, Dr. Morris has played a pivotal role in advancing immunotherapy and personalized treatment strategies for patients with GI malignancies. His work in translational research and clinical trials has contributed to groundbreaking  discoveries, including the use of mRNA vaccines and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as biomarkers for treatment response. Dr. Morris’s dedication to innovation and precision medicine continues to shape the future of oncology care and improve patient outcomes.              

Institutional benefits and support

GME trainees’ salary stipends are updated every year based on the ACGME’s recommendations, and because our trainees are considered workforce members, they also enjoy MD Anderson’s employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement planning, disability insurance and six weeks of parental leave.

Our GME House Staff Senate offers trainees the opportunity to experience a leadership role in a medical field career, and the institution’s Academic Mentoring Council provides avenues to secure tailored academic mentoring from faculty. Our GME trainees benefit from the extensive support offered to our research trainees, too; they are invited to participate in grant application workshops, apply for pilot grants to support their research ideas and receive monetary awards for securing extramural grant funding.

Trainee wellness is also of utmost importance at MD Anderson.

Our trainees have access to MD Anderson’s employee networks, fitness center and other wellness resources provided by the institution. Additionally, our Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), which provides oversight of our accredited programs, regularly assess our trainees’ needs and implements various initiatives, such as providing free call meals and discounted parking to GME House Staff, to address those gaps. The committee even has a subcommittee entirely dedicated to supporting the wellness of our trainees.

Our efforts to ensure a welcoming and supportive education and training experience have been commended nationally. In 2023, the Office of Graduate Medical Education received the DeWitt C. Baldwin, Jr. Award, a prestigious national award that recognizes our institution for its respectful and supportive environment for delivering medical education and patient care.

Beyond MD Anderson

MD Anderson’s location has many benefits, too. Our main campus is nestled inside the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center which boasts about 10 million patient encounters each year. Many of our faculty are involved in interorganizational research collaborations, both within the TMC and across the nation, exposing trainees to groundbreaking advancements in medical care in real time.

Most importantly, the city of Houston is a great place to call home and raise a family. We are one of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation. More than 145 different languages are spoken across the city, placing us behind only New York and Los Angeles. In fact, about 30% of the city’s population speaks a language other than English at home. And, paychecks here stretch farther than most U.S. metro areas, thanks to our low cost of living.

Visit our Why Houston page to learn more about our city’s affordable housing, fine dining, entertainment scene, nationally renowned museums and other great attributes.