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The UCSF Hematology Oncology Fellowship Training
Program
Mission
The
Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Training Program at UCSF is devoted to
the rigorous training and development of physician scientists to
become future leaders in clinical and/or laboratory
investigation.
Goals
The UCSF Hematology-Oncology Fellowship
Training Program will provide rigorous and comprehensive training
in:
- The prevention, detection, evaluation and care of cancer patients, and in
the evaluation and treatment of patients with benign hematologic
disorders, leading to board eligibility in medical oncology and/or
hematology.
- Clinical and translational research including trial
design and methodology, biostatistics and ethics.
- Laboratory-based research to develop highly productive
investigators.
Overview
The
development of leaders in clinical and laboratory investigation is
undertaken
in the context of providing comprehensive clinical training in oncology and
hematology. The first phase of training is clinical in nature, and
is designed
to provide the fundamental knowledge base required for understanding
the prevention, detection, evaluation and care of cancer patients, and in the evaluation and
treatment of patients with benign hematologic disorders. This knowledge base
is viewed as a platform upon which clinical, translational, and laboratory
research programs can be built during the second, research phase of training.
Clinical training includes regular inpatient rotations as well as outpatient
clinical rotations, and also includes the fundamentals of clinical research
methodology. For individuals seeking board-eligibility in oncology,
the clinical
phase of fellowship training is one year in duration, whereas for individuals
also seeking board-eligibility in hematology, an additional 6
months of clinical
training is required.
Clinical Training
Inpatient Rotations
During the first phase of training, fellows
participate in inpatient rotations, undertaken on three separate
campuses that take advantage of the tremendous diversity in patient
populations seen at San Francisco. These campuses are:
- UCSF-Moffitt/Long Hospitals: A 688 bed tertiary care
hospital. Fellows rotate through the leukemia/lymphoma/transplant
service, and an inpatient hematology and oncology consult
service.
- San
Francisco General Hospital: A 686 bed county hospital serving a large
multi-ethnic population. Fellows rotate through a hematology and
oncology consult service.
- Veterans Administration Medical Center: A 112 bed
hospital serving northern California. Fellows rotate through a
hematology and oncology consult service.
Outpatient Rotations
Fellows participate in three outpatient clinic
sessions per week. Fellows will generally have a rotational
outpatient clinic at the institution where they are having their
inpatient rotation, a continuity clinic, and a specialty clinic.
Outpatient clinic rotations are undertaken at UCSF Medical Center,
the Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Francisco General
Hospital and at the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center at Mount Zion, a
new 50,000 square foot facility which was opened in 2000. San
Francisco General Hospital and Veterans Administration Medical Center
clinics are general oncology and/or hematology clinics whereas
clinics at the Mt Zion Comprehensive Cancer Center are
disease-oriented and multi-disciplinary, allowing fellows close
interactions with medical oncologists, surgical oncologists,
radiation oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists. Tumor boards
and teaching conferences are held regularly for major tumor
types.
Current oncology/malignant hematology clinics include:
- AIDS
oncology
- Breast oncology
- Genitourinary oncology
- Gastrointestinal oncology
- Gynecologic oncology
- Head
and Neck oncology
- Leukemia/Lymphoma/Transplantation
- Melanoma and Cutaneous Malignancies
- Thoracic oncology
Each
clinical program stresses the integration of clinical and laboratory
research with clinical care. Presentations of both clinical and
laboratory research are emphasized at divisional and clinical program
conferences.
Core Curriculum and
Didactics
The core curriculum has been developed to provide
comprehensive training in cancer biology, clinical oncology and
hematology, and fundamentals of clinical research,
including:
- Epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all
major malignancies
- Biology and treatment of benign hematologic
conditions
- Cancer Medicine: pharmacology, supportive care, general
care, ethics of caring for cancer patients
- Clinical Research Methods: clinical research methodology,
biostatistics, ethics of clinical research
- Cancer Biology: pathophysiology, molecular
biology
- Career Development: workshops in grant writing,
manuscript preparation, CV preparation, and developing a career in
clinical and laboratory research.
Research Training
Fellows may perform laboratory or clinical research. In
the first year of fellowship, each fellow is assigned an advisor who
helps the fellow focus research interests and assists in the
selection of mentors for the research phase of training. Faculty
mentors are independent clinical and/or laboratory investigators with
proven records of accomplishment. By the end of the first year, each
fellow and mentor are expected to prepare a research proposal
outlining either a laboratory research project and training program,
or a clinical research project outlining the design and conduct of a
clinical trial. During the research phase of the training, fellow
funding is derived from contract and grant revenue that is
supplemented by institutional sources as necessary. Fellows are
strongly encouraged to secure their own funding to support all or
part of their research activity. Fellows will work with their mentors
to develop funding opportunities developed by the end of the first 6
months of the training program. The ability to secure funding is an
integral part of successful academic career development and fellows
should consider the development of independent funding to be an
important part of program accomplishment.
Clinical Research Training
During the research training period, the mentor
will be responsible for meeting regularly with the fellow to insure
that a focused and testable hypothesis is developed. A Cancer Center
Statistician will work with the fellow in the development of a
protocol. The mentor is responsible for oversight of trial design and
conduct, regulatory requirements, data collection analysis and
interpretation, culminating in the presentation of research and
manuscript preparation. Collaboration with multi-disciplinary
research teams including basic scientists, statisticians and other
clinician-scientists are an integral part of this process. During
this period, the fellow will maintain focused clinical activity in
the appropriate subspecialty clinic(s), receiving ongoing clinical
training as well as training in protocol maintenance and accrual,
regulatory, and ethical issues in research. This practical experience
will be complemented with formal coursework in clinical research
methodology.
Laboratory Research Training
All laboratory research fellows continue to attend one half-day
outpatient session per week related to patient care. This allows the
fellow to devote the required time to laboratory investigation while
maintaining clinical skills. Fellows attend selected conferences to
interact with other fellows, investigators, and distinguished
scientists from other institutions. Informal presentations of
research occur regularly.
Research Opportunities
Research opportunities are extensive, and are available in both laboratory
and clinical sciences. While these opportunities extend throughout the entire
UCSF community, many are found on the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center web
page (http://cc.ucsf.edu).
Eligibility
Candidates must be board eligible or certified in Internal
Medicine. The Training
Program is dedicated to training future academicians. Candidate selection is
based on evidence of outstanding clinical ability, a strong
interest in a research
career, and evidence of potential for independent research. The Program accepts ABIM Research Pathway Track (i.e., "Short Trackers") applications; preference in these applications are given to MD/PhD candidates. Due to NIH Funding restrictions, Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents or have a J1 Visa (H1B Visas are not accepted).
Positions Available
Of the over two hundred applications, we expect to invite forty to interview and will Match between six (6) to eight (8) Fellows, depending on the number of Single and Double Boarders.
Application Deadline
January 15, 2008
(Only Applications with three Letters of Recommendation will be considered and reviewed by the Fellowship Selection Committee)
Fellowship Steering Committee Members
- Program Director
- Site Directors
- UCSF/ Parnassus - Lawrence Kaplan, MD
- UCSF / Mt. Zion - Emily Bergsland, MD
- San Francisco General Hospital - Donald Abrams, MD
- Veteran Affairs Medical Center - Patricia Cornett, MD
- UCSF Hem/Onc Interim Division Chief - Eric Small, MD
How to Apply
The Division of Hematology / Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) began utilizing the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) Program in 2006. The Deadline for submission of ERAS Applications and three Letters of Recommendation is tentatively scheduled for January 15th, 2008. Only those Applications with three Letters of Recommendation will be reviewed by the Fellowship Steering Committee and selected Applicants offered a personal interview.
The date for Fellowship Selection was determined by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). UCSF will participate in the National Residence Matching Program (NRMP) Fellowship Match. Please refer to Timelines listed below.
| Date |
Org. |
Activity |
| 07.01.07 |
ERAS |
ERAS: MyERAS Web site opens to fellowship Applicants to begin working on their applications. |
| 11.15.07 |
ERAS |
Applicants may apply to December Application Cycle Programs. |
| 12.01.07 |
ERAS |
ERAS PostOffice opens to December Application Cycle Programs for downloading |
| 01.02.08 |
NRMP |
Match Begins for Medical Specialties |
| 01.15.08 |
UCSF - H/O |
UCSF Hem/Onc - Application and Letter of Recommendation Deadline |
| 02.04.08 |
UCSF - H/O |
UCSF Hem/Onc - Interview Day: #1 (7:45am - 5:00pm) |
| 03.10.08 |
UCSF - H/O |
UCSF Hem/Onc - Interview Day: #2 (7:45am - 5:00pm) |
| 03.21.08 |
UCSF - H/O |
UCSF Hem/Onc - Selection Committee Meeting |
| 04.04.08 |
UCSF - H/O |
UCSF Hem/Onc - Interview Day: #3 (7:45am - 5:00pm) |
| 04.18.08 |
UCSF - H/O |
UCSF Hem/Onc - Interview Day: #4 (7:45am - 5:00pm) |
| 05.02.08 |
UCSF - H/O |
UCSF Hem/Onc - Interview Day: #5 (7:45am - 5:00pm) |
| 05.09.08 |
UCSF - H/O |
UCSF Hem/Onc - Selection Committee Meeting |
| 04.09.08 |
NRMP |
Match Rank Order List Opens |
| 05.21.08 |
NRMP |
Match Quota Change Deadline |
| 05.31.08 |
ERAS |
ERAS PostOffice will close to prepare for the 2009 season |
| 06.04.08 |
NRMP |
Match Rank Order List Closes |
| 06.18.08 |
NRMP |
Match Day! |
| 06.19.08 |
CA Board of Medicine |
Incoming Fellows should begin the California Board of Medicine License Paperwork, especially International Medical School Graduates |
| 05.01.09 |
CA Board of Medicine |
Incoming Fellows must have their California Medical License |
| 06.29.09 |
UCSF - DOM |
Hem/Onc Fellows attend Department of Medicine Orientation (mandatory) |
| 07.01.09 + 07.01.09 |
UCSF: Hem/Onc |
Hem/Onc Fellows attend Hematology / Oncology Orientation (mandatory) |
| 07.06.09 |
UCSF - H/O |
Hem/Onc Fellows begin Rotations and Clinics! |
We require the following supporting documents to be submitted via the ERAS program:
| UCSF Hematology / Oncology Fellowship Required ERAS Supporting Documents Table |
| * |
Due to NIH Funding restrictions, Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents or have a J1 Visa (H1B Visas are not accepted) |
| * |
Complete ERAS Application (please fill out completely, including cell phone and e-mail addresses) |
| * |
Curriculum Vitae |
| * |
Personal Statement, specifically addressing your academic goals and research interests as well as intent to single board in Hematology or Oncology or double board in Hematology and Oncology. |
| * |
Three (3) Letters of Recommendation, including one from your current Program Director, Department Chair or Residency Training Program Director (P ease ask your referees to pay particular attention to the following: general medical knowledge , medical competence in dealing with critically ill patients, emotional stability in working with patients with advanced malignancy , general interest in academic Hematology and Medical Oncology) |
| * |
Applicants who have had prior research experience should have a letter from their research advisors. (The research advisor should mention the background and interest in academic Hematology and Medical Oncology as a career and a view of your competence to engage in scientific research) |
| * |
Examination Requirements: US Medical School Graduates – USMLE Parts I, II and, if completed, Part III or FLEX and be board eligible or certified in Internal Medicine; International Medical Graduates – ECFMG Certificate, FMGEMS, and, if not a Citizen or Permanent Resident, a copy of a current Visa, documentation of successful completion of the language skills exam and be board eligible or certified in Internal Medicine. |
| * |
Photos are appreciated (and can only be viewed if an Applicant is invited to Interview) |
| * |
Women and Minority Recruitment: The Fellowship Program actively recruits both women and minority candidates. |
Inquiries regarding the Program can be directed to:
Kelli Copeland
Fellowship Program Coordinator
UCSF – Hematology / Oncology
Mailbox 1770
San Francisco, CA 94143-1770
E-M: kcopeland@medicine.ucsf.edu
Please contact Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to apply to the UCSF Hematology / Oncology Fellowship Program beginning in July 2009.
ERAS Fellowships Document Office
P.O. Box 13687
Philadelphia, PA. 19101-0687
Tel: 215.966.3940
Website: http://www.aamc.org/students/erasfellow/
We participate in the National Resident Matching Program for our Fellowship Program. Please contact the NRMP for information on how to sign up for their services:
National Resident Matching Program
2501 M Street, NW, Suite 1
Washington, DC 20037-1307
Tel: 202.828.067
Website: http://www.nrmp.org
To learn more about the Oncology and Hematology Societies, please visit their Websites:
ASCO / American Society of Clinical Oncology
Alexandria, VA
Tel: 703.519.1446
Website: http://www.asco.org
ASH / American Society of Hematology
Washington, DC
Tel: 202.766.0544
Website: http://www.hematology.org
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