The fellowship program of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-Stem Cell Transplant at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine is aimed at the trainee whose goal is a career in academic medicine. Fellows receive training in an accredited program focused on developing medical knowledge, clinical skills and judgment, self-assessment and improvement skills, proficiency in communication, professional attitudes and behavior, competence performing medical procedures, research skills, teaching proficiency, humanistic qualities, and a commitment to scholarship. During the three-year training program, time is distributed to ensure that fellows develop both clinical and research expertise. The program provides approximately 12 to 18 months exclusively for clinical work followed by 18 to 24 months of protected time for hypothesis-driven research.

Clinical Experience

Clinical training provides experience in all aspects of diagnosis and management of hematologic and oncologic diseases and in stem cell transplantation. During the first year, fellows spend eight to 10 months on the hematology-oncology-stem cell transplant inpatient service and in the outpatient clinics at Children’s Memorial Hospital (CMH), and the fellows are always encouraged to take lead roles in directing patient care. In addition, trainees provide consultations to the emergency department and other pediatric and surgical specialties, thereby gaining familiarity with the hematologic and oncologic manifestations of a broad spectrum of pediatric illnesses. First-year fellows also complete rotations in the clinical laboratories, radiation oncology, stem cell transplantation, and neuro-oncology.

Fellows develop a cohort of patients and provide continuity-care and follow up for these patients in their half-day per week hematology and half-day per week oncology clinics. Throughout the training program, fellows share night and weekend on-call responsibilities, thereby gaining experience with acute problems and emergencies.

Research Training

In the second year, fellows turn their attention to individual hypothesis-driven research projects. Research projects may address clinical or basic science questions related to the field of pediatric hematology-oncology-stem cell transplant. Fellows interested in academic careers in clinical research may obtain Master’s of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) degrees from the Feinberg School of Medicine.

Early on in the program each fellow establishes a relationship with a faculty mentor and by the end of the first year will have identified a specific research project. Research may be conducted on Northwestern University's Evanston campus, the Chicago campus of the Feinberg School, or the Children’s Memorial Medical Center campus. A National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored Clinical Oncology Research Training Grant obtained by the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University provides a mechanism for identifying laboratories.

At the beginning of the second year, fellows formally present the background, design, and methods of their research projects to the faculty and later in the second year present progress reports of results. In the third year with ongoing work, fellows prepare abstracts for presentation at scientific meetings and manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

During the second and third years of the program, fellows continue to follow their patients in their hematology and oncology clinics.

Fellow Education and Scientific Meetings

Fellows participate in a wide range of conferences throughout their training. The weekly fellow conference covers topics in the fields of pediatric hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplantation. In addition, a series of core lectures are presented to the fellows early in their first year of training, covering acute and emergent problems in hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant.

Throughout the three-year training program, fellows participate in Tumor Board and Hematology Board, which include presentations of new and current cases, discussions of plans for patient management and follow up, and reviews of the literature. Other conferences include Brain Tumor Board, Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Research Conference, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-Stem Cell Transplant Radiology Conference, Oncology Journal Club, Stem Cell Transplant Journal Club, Stem Cell Transplant Conference, Coagulopathy Journal Club, and the Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds. Fellows may also attend ongoing seminar series through the Feinberg School and the Children’s Memorial Research Center (CMRC).

All fellows complete a core departmental fellowship curriculum that includes statistical analysis and study design, bioethics, and the development of skills in scientific writing and presentation.

Fellows are encouraged to attend one scientific meeting each year with funding provided. Funding for travel to additional meetings may be available for fellows who are invited to present their research.

Vacation

Fellows are provided three weeks of vacation annually.

Collaborative Research Opportunities

A wide range of collaborative research and educational opportunities exist across the Northwestern University campuses. These opportunities provide fellows extensive possibilities for developing research interests and expanding their education.

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, funded by the NCI, is committed to achieving excellence in basic and clinical research, cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and education of health professionals and the public. The administrative offices and research laboratories are located on the Feinberg School's Chicago campus. The Cancer Center provides opportunities for scientific collaboration among its members, who include clinicians in all major specialties and investigators in all basic science disciplines at the Feinberg School of Medicine, on the Children’s campus, and in several departments based at Northwestern University's Evanston campus. The Pediatric Oncology Program represents one of four clinical sciences programs in the Cancer Center.

An NCI-funded Clinical Oncology Research Training Program administered through the Cancer Center brings together laboratory scientists, clinical investigators, and medical/pediatric hematology-oncology-stem cell transplant fellows to focus on the molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and signal transduction pathways of normal and neoplastic cells. Collaborations are accomplished through laboratory investigation, organized meetings, journal clubs, seminars, and symposia. These activities provide opportunities for sharing the latest scientific results and promoting interdisciplinary relationships. Laboratory preceptors for fellows belong to four basic science programs of the Cancer Center, including viral carcinogenesis; tumor invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis; hormone and signal transduction in cancer; and cancer genes and molecular regulation.

Faculty members of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology-Stem Cell Transplant have laboratories in the Cancer Center on the Chicago campus where studies are underway to understand the role of MYCN in neuroblast differentiation, identify natural inhibitors of angiogenesis produced by Schwann cells in neuroblastoma that can be used to treat patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, and define the role of MAP kinases in high-grade glioma progression in pediatric patients.

Northwestern University's Evanston Campus

Scientific collaborations are ongoing among members of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-Stem Cell Transplant and investigators on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus, particularly in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology (BMBCB). BMBCB comprises more than 40 faculty members with expertise in the areas of biotechnology; cell and molecular biology; hormone action and signal transduction; and structural biology, biochemistry, and biophysics. The department’s broad range of research activities and expertise in the basic sciences provides additional opportunities for fellows.

Application Procedure

The Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-Stem Cell Transplant Program participates in and abides by the rules of the National Resident Matching Program for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. All applicants must register with the Match (www.nrmp.org) and complete an application for the program.

Fellowship applicants must have successfully completed three years of training in general pediatrics in a program accredited by the Residency Review Committee; fellows must also be eligible for medical licensure in Illinois.

A fellow is selected on the strength of prior training, demonstrated clinical and research competence, and potential for an academic career in pediatric hematology-oncology-stem cell transplant. Two fellows are selected each year, and each fellow receives a three-year stipend. Fellows interested in additional research training and who have obtained faculty sponsorship may apply to federal or private agencies for research funding during subsequent years.

Applicants should send a completed application form and three letters of recommendation to the director of the program at least 18 months before training begins. Select candidates will be offered interviews. The program prepares rank lists approximately 15 months before training begins on July 1.

For additional information or to obtain an application form, contact the Director of the Fellowship Training Program, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-Stem Cell Transplant, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-Stem Cell Transplant, Children’s Memorial Hospital, 2300 Children’s Plaza, Box 30, Chicago, Illinois 60614, 773/880-4598; fax 773/880-3053.