Fellowship

Hematology/Oncology Curriculum

The three-year Hematology Oncology fellowship program at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine is designed to equip fellows with skills in research and the clinical practice of benign and malignant hematology, solid tumors, and bone marrow transplantation. During their rotations, fellows are exposed to a broad, diversified range of patient cases through intensive inpatient and outpatient experience under the close supervision of experienced specialists (Breast, Head and Neck, GU/GI, and Lung Cancers, Thrombosis, Hemoglinopathies, MDS)

Clinical training is conducted at Montefiore Medical Center, and Albert Einstein Cancer Center. The hematology/oncology fellows' responsibilities include outpatient, inpatient and consultation services in oncology, hematology and hematologic malignancies. Fellows are required to complete 18 months clinical rotations to satisfy the American Board of Internal medicine (ABIM) requirements for subspecialty boards in hematology and oncology. The following is a typical rotation schedule of the first 18 months of clinical training for the hematology/oncology fellow:

After Fellows fulfill 18 months of clinical rotations, they may choose research and participate in basic science (i.e. stem cell biology, molecular biology, and molecular causes of tumorogenesis in colon mucosa), and molecular translational studies, in addition to clinical hematology and oncology research. They may also choose clinical electives: either as a concentration of 6 months in one specialty with designated mentor or as monthly rotations. If concentration in one specialty areas is chosen, a mentor will supervise structured clinics, conferences, and clinical research project.

Electives:

• Breast Service: Fellows dedicate a one-month period of time performing in-patient consultations and evaluating outpatients in the faculty practices of Dr. Joseph Sparano (Director, Breast Medical Oncology), and other breast team including Dr. Sun Young Oh, Dr. Della Makower, Dr. Jesus Anampa. Fellows attend multidisciplinary clinics and specialized conferences including multidisciplinary breast oncology conferences.
• Gynecological Oncology: Fellows dedicate a one-month period of time performing in-patient consultations and evaluating outpatients in the faculty practices of attendings from Division of Gynecological Oncology, and other team members. Fellows attend specialized conferences including multidisciplinary gynecological oncology conferences.
• Genitourinary oncology: Fellows spend a one-month period of time on the Genitourinary Oncology service, directed by Benjamin Gartrell. Fellows attend multidisciplinary genitourinary oncology conferences.
• Gastrointestinal Oncology: Fellows devote one month to evaluating in-patient consultations and evaluating outpatients in the faculty practice of Sanjay Goel, Dr. Andreas Kaubisch, Dr. Lakshmi Rajdev and Dr. Jennifer Chuy.
• Aerodigestive Oncology: Fellows spend a one-month period of time on the Thoracic Oncology service, directed by Dr. Balazs Halmos/Dr. Roman Perez-Soler/Dr. Rasim Gucalp. They attend multidisciplinary thoracic oncology tumor board organized by Dr. Amit Bhargava, Director of thoracic surgery. Fellows also evaluate in-patient consultations and outpatients in the faculty practice of Dr. Balazs Halmos (Acting Director, Head/Neck Oncology Program). Head and Neck Service fellows attend specialized conferences, including a multidisciplinary head and neck conference directed by Dr. Richard Smith.
• Radiation Oncology Service: Fellows experience a one-month rotation evaluating in-patients and outpatients with a radiation oncology attending.
• Hematopathology: Fellows attend morphology sessions under the supervision of Hematopathologists.
• Palliative Care: Fellows have the opportunity to obtain specialized training in palliative care, particularly symptom management in cancer patients under the direction of Dr. Serife Eti and a multi-disciplinary palliative care team. The palliative care program has established a palliative care fellowship program.
• New Drug Development/Phase I Trials Program: Fellows spend one month in the phase I trial unit, learning the basic clinical pharmacology as it applies to cancer drugs and early clinical trials methodology. Fellows also obtain knowledge of the basics of antineoplastic drugs and their pharmacology, and have the opportunity to participate in development of novel drug studies.
• Neuro Oncology: Fellows dedicate a one-month period of time performing in-patient consultations and evaluating outpatients in the faculty practices of Dr. Katherine McNeil.
• Hematology: One month rotation through private clinics of Dr. Friedman (Associate director, hematology/oncology fellowship), Dr. Henny Billett Chief, (Division of hematology), and sickle cell attending where they are precepted one on one by attending. They attend daily conferences on patient management in red cells problems, coagulation, lymphoma, transfusion as well as biweekly journal club. They mentor first year fellows in case management.
• Transfusion Medicine: This time is dedicated to the assessment of transfusion preparation, administration, and complications. Fellows gain hands-on experience with apheresis and stem cell collection/storage. They may also attend the New York Blood Center transfusion course.
• Sickle Cell Service: Under the supervision of Dr. Caterina P. Minniti, fellows will gain didactic knowledge and practical experience with the natural history of sickle cell disease in adults, including alterations in baseline physiology, and management of acute complications such as vaso-occlusive pain crisis, infection, acute chest syndrome, priapism, splenic sequestration and stroke. Also, fellows will learn didactic knowledge and practical experience with the chronic complications of sickle cell disease in adults, especially cardiopulmonary and leg ulceration, including standard and investigational therapies; also with other chronic complications, such as retinopathy, cholelithiasis, nephropathy, impotence, and avascular necrosis of bone. In addition, they will gain practical experience with psychosocial challenges posed to patients with a chronic illness, and exposure to minority health issues