Yale Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program

The goal of our program is to train fellows to become outstanding hematologists oncologists, taking excellent and empathetic care of patients and contributing to advancing the field through scholarly activity.

Clinically, our fellows are exposed to diverse pathology. We are the referral center for Southern Connecticut and see a wide range of patients from benign hematology to complex and rare tumors. Our faculty is committed to fellows' education, both through clinical care and robust didactics. Fellows are seen as the primary providers for their patients and are responsible for their continuity of care throughout the three years of their fellowship. Our fellows work closely with our multidisciplinary team that include attending physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and a large psychosocial team that includes social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, pharmacists and child life. Fellows also learn to collaborate closely with other departments as well, including surgery, radiation oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, pathology, and radiology to provide the most comprehensive care for their patients. They also participate in our specialized programs, which include hemostasis and thrombosis, sickle cell and hemoglobinopathies, survivorship, neuro-oncology, bone marrow transplant, cancer predisposition, and bone marrow failure.

Fellows spend two years in hypothesis driven research and their progress is monitored by their research mentor and through a scholarship oversight committee. As part of a comprehensive cancer center, our fellows have a myriad of research opportunities in clinical, basic, and translational research. Fellows have the opportunity to explore research that they are passionate about, and we encourage fellows to look across the University to find a project that they are passionate about. Fellows take courses in clinical investigation and have the opportunity to pursue a Masters in Health Sciences.

• One first year position is offered for each academic year.
• The application and interview process begins approximately 12 months before the anticipated start date for the fellowship.
• The program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) for selection of fellows. The deadline for enrollment and submission of listings as well as the match date for the current application year may be found on the NRMP website.
• Applicants must complete an ACGME-accredited pediatric residency program prior to the anticipated appointment date.
• Our training program participates in the ERAS electronic application service. If you require any additional information, please contact the program director by email, phone (203-785-4640) or fax (203-737-2228).

The primary focus of the first year is to establish a solid foundation of clinical knowledge and experience for the fellow to develop further that will ultimately allow graduates of the program to function independently in pediatric hematology and oncology patient care. This goal is achieved through rotations on the hematology/oncology service, bone marrow transplant service and rotations in allied specialties. In addition, a didactic curriculum and weekly conferences enhance the fellows' knowledge, skills, and clinical expertise toward becoming an independent clinician.

The first year of the fellowship program includes 13 four-week clinical rotations. The clinical activities of the fellows are performed under the supervision of an attending physician. The rotations include seven rotations on the inpatient hematology/oncology service, 2 BMT rotations, 1 outpatient subspecialty clinic rotation, 1 radiation oncology rotation, 1 rotation in laboratory medicine and 1 research rotation. Fellows have 1 full day of continuity clinic every week during the first year. First-year fellows take call 2 nights a week and 1 weekend a month.

The fellows' clinical education continues during years 2 and 3 of the program during which time the fellows follow their own patients in a half day weekly continuity clinic and take call for the clinical service one night/week and one weekend per month. In addition, the didactic program and weekly conferences enhance the fellows' knowledge, skills, and clinical expertise toward becoming an independent clinician.

• Clinical Research Track: The Clinical Research Track emphasizes training in clinical research and epidemiology. In addition to planning and conducting clinical studies, fellows complete coursework in statistics, design of clinical trials, epidemiology, and others as necessary.

• Basic/Translational Research Track: In this track, trainees can choose to work with investigators from across the university, resulting in a broad spectrum of research opportunities. Opportunities to work with basic scientists both within the section and the University are available to interested fellows, providing them with excellent exposure and experience in these areas.

• To meet with the fellow a minimum of 2 times per year
• Complete evaluation/progress reports after each meeting to assess progress and detail * accomplishments
• Review and approve the proposed research plan for first year fellows
• Evaluate the fellow's written product of scholarly activity

Yale University has a great tradition of education, and fellowship training is one of the most important missions of our section. Our program has many educational conferences, and fellows have additional opportunities to participate in numerous conferences offered at Yale.

Our section conferences are planned to enhance knowledge of pediatric hematology and oncology. Weekly departmental conferences are aimed to provide broader knowledge of pediatrics and scholarly activity. Fellows are also encouraged to attend regional and national fellows' conferences, and national meetings of organizations where they present the results of their research.

Mondays 12 pm

This conference covers core scholarly activities for all fellows in the department of pediatrics. Topics such as writing a grant/ abstract, critically appraising the literature, professionalism, and ethics are covered. Senior fellows present their research projects and are able to receive feedback from attendings from across the department.

Fridays 12-1 pm

Fellows and faculty present various topics, with a focus on those that will be important to care for children with a broad range of hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant conditions, as well as prepare trainees for the Hematology and Oncology Sub-Specialty Board Examination. In addition to section faculty, visiting faculty members from various areas including surgery, radiology, laboratory medicine, radiation oncology, fertility, and palliative care also present on topics relevant to the care of pediatric hematology and oncology patients. Board review sessions are also conducted to prepare fellows for board certification.

Thursdays 4-5 pm

A pediatric tumor board is held weekly to discuss new and relapsed patients with a large multidisciplinary team including oncologists, radiologist, pathologist, radiation oncologists and surgeons. Being a part of a large cancer center, many adolescent and young adult patients are also presented at the specialized disease specific tumor boards such as sarcoma, leukemia/lymphoma, neuro-oncology, and genitourinary tumor boards.

Fridays 1-2 pm

During this conference, clinical trials are discussed, and any new amendments are highlighted.

Wednesdays 12 pm

This conference covers core topics in pediatrics and pediatric subspecialties, as well as cutting-edge research and best practices in clinical medicine. Speakers in these sessions are invited guest lecturers from across the country, as well as members of the Yale faculty.

• Our institutional Graduate Medical Education and ACGME accreditation requirements specify that all applicants must be board-eligible/certified in pediatrics as determined by the American Board of Pediatrics.
• Foreign medical graduates must have a valid ECFMG certificate.
• We accept the common application available through ERAS online and participate in the National Residency Matching Program. Interviews for selected applicants are held from September through November for the positions starting in July of the next academic year.
• For any questions regarding the application process, we welcome inquiries at (203) 785-4640.