National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Hematology Oncology Fellowship
For information about other programs, please visit the Hematology Oncology Fellowship Programs Directory.
People affiliated with this program are cordially invited to add additional information.
"The National Institutes of Health Hematology Oncology Fellowship is jointly supported by the Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (CCR, NCI) and the Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (DIR, NHLBI). The ACGME-accredited program provides a strong clinical grounding in hematology and oncology as well as a comprehensive introduction to clinical, laboratory and translational-based research."
Basic information
Name: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Hematology Oncology Fellowship
Fellowship program website: https://www.cc.nih.gov/training/gme/programs/hematology.html
ACGME ID: 1552314155
Leadership
- Program Director: Marijo Bilusic, M.D. Ph.D.
- Associate Program Director for Oncology: Kathryn Lurain, M.D., M.P.H.
- Associate Program Director for Hematology: Charles Bolan, M.D.
Fellowship Coordinator
- George Lindsay (hematology)
Hematology Branch, NHLBI
Phone: 301-402-2399
Email: [email protected] - Kellyn Betts (oncology)
Medical Oncology Service, NCI CCR
Phone: 240-858-3386
Email: [email protected]
Application process and requirements
https://www.cc.nih.gov/training/gme/programs/hematology.html
Process
- Applications accepted starting on: July 1
- Application deadline: "near the end of November"
- Applications submitted through ERAS
Requirements
- At least three letters of recommendation; one must be from internal medicine Program Director
- "Candidates with significant prior research experience should include a recommendation from his/her research mentor"
- Accepts J1 visa
Statistics
- Number of fellowship positions available per year: 11-12
- Board certification eligibility upon fellowship completion: Hematology and Oncology
- Length of fellowship: 2-3 (or more) years
Program Structure
The NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship program provides a unique opportunity for physicians interested in academic and research careers to develop and integrate their interests in clinical, basic, and population-based research. At their discretion, fellows may choose to pursue a three-year program (1.5 years of clinical rotations, 1.5 years of research) leading to board certification in both hematology and oncology (double-track training) or a two-year program (one year of clinical rotations, one year of research) leading to board certification in either hematology or oncology alone (single-track training). All fellows have one half day of continuity clinic per week throughout their clinical and research time.
First and Second Years: The first 12-18 months of clinical training includes rotations in in-patient wards, as well as outpatient clinical rotations in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, lymphoma, leukemia, solid-tumor oncology, bone marrow failure, sickle cell hemoglobinopathies, and hematology/oncology consults at the NIH Clinical Center. Additional structured clinical rotations are performed in hematology/oncology clinics and inpatient consults at Medstar Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the George Washington University Hospital, and the acute leukemia service at The Johns Hopkins Hospital or University of Maryland Medical Center. The conference schedule includes regularly scheduled journal clubs, tumor boards, core lecture series, board review, multidisciplinary rounds, and weekly conferences at which fellows present analyses of clinical or research problems. Internationally recognized clinical investigators are invited to present at weekly CCR grand rounds and at multiple venues encompassing the NIH’s intramural and extramural research programs.
Second and Third Years: During the final 12-18 months of research time, fellows acquire the skills necessary to become independent biomedical investigators. They may choose to work with one of the more than 100 laboratories and clinical research groups at the NIH. The choice of laboratory or clinical research group is made by mutual agreement of the fellow, the laboratory or clinical mentor, and the fellowship leadership. During this period, the half-day/week clinic continuity obligation continues, along with didactic activities and further development of clinical independence.
Research opportunities include basic, clinical, and population-based investigation. Fellows may elect to work with any investigator on the NIH campus, not only those within the NCI or the NHLBI. A process is in place for fellows interested in continuing their research time beyond the 3-year program to enhance their competitiveness for intramural tenure-track positions or extramural positions and grant funding.
Affiliated medical facilities
Testimonials
"The NIH fellowship has provided me the opportunity to immerse myself in every aspect of clinical trial research. As a fellow, I’ve been actively involved in writing a clinical protocol, submitting that protocol to the FDA, and opening a new clinical trial. It is exciting to be involved in so many first-in-human research studies that are occurring at the NIH. Also, the colleagues here are great and mentorship is outstanding. I feel very lucky that I had the chance to do my fellowship here."
Kathryn Cappell, M.D., Ph.D., Hematology Oncology Clinical Fellow beginning in 2018
"I come to work every day knowing that I stand on the shoulders of giants in the field. Fellows and their mentors regularly make discoveries that revolutionize the practice of oncology and hematology. Training here means that your thoughts and intellect will create everlasting scientific legacy."
Vincent Chau, M.D., Ph.D., Hematology Oncology Clinical Fellow beginning in 2018
"The NIH Intramural Research Program offers an intellectually rich training environment where clinical fellows develop a comprehensive understanding of clinical research and cancer drug development. Closer to a “Cancer University” than a traditional hospital training environment, NCI fellowship provided me with a foundational understanding of oncologic therapies that represent the past, present, and future of the field. Federally-funded fellowship positions are a national resource and fellows are expected not just to deliver patient care, but to push cancer medicine forward. During my time at NCI, I always felt that I was a part of something greater than myself – and that sense of purpose is something that I will carry with me in the years beyond fellowship."
Peter J. DeMaria, M.D., Hematology and Oncology Clinical Fellow beginning in 2017
"The NCI fellowship provides unparalleled exposure to translational research and clinical trials. I truly feel this is the ideal place to start a career in academic hematology-oncology, with mentors who are world leaders in oncology research."
Nina Kim, M.D., Hematology Oncology Clinical Fellow beginning in 2019
"The NIH Hematology Oncology fellowship program is truly unique, providing fellows with unparalleled flexibility and support to build a training experience tailored to their interests. As a trainee with a longstanding interest in non-malignant hematology, I found ample opportunities to train in my area of interest and felt incredibly well supported by the NIH faculty throughout. In addition, having the opportunity to run clinical trials and write my own clinical protocols during fellowship has been an extremely rewarding experience."
Julia Xu, M.D., Hematology Clinical Fellow beginning in 2018
Notable faculty
Henry Seymour Kaplan, M.D.
Vincent DeVita, M.D.
George Canellos, M.D.
Bruce Chabner, M.D.