Carolinas Medical Center Program

The Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program at Carolinas Medical Center is a comprehensive three-year program that is fully accredited by ACGME. The program is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in hematology and oncology, with a focus on both clinical excellence and academic research. Fellows are engaged in multidisciplinary care for oncologic and hematologic diseases, ensuring they acquire the skills necessary for optimal patient management in both outpatient and inpatient settings, applying the most recent advancements in the field.

Graduates of this fellowship program will be board-eligible for both medical oncology and hematology, marking a significant career milestone for fellows as they prepare to enter the workforce as specialists. The training sites include several leading institutions within the Atrium Health system, such as the Levine Cancer Institute, the Carolinas Medical Center, and the Veterans Affairs Charlotte Health Care Center.

Training Sites

Fellows will primarily train at the Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, a leading cancer center that integrates academic research with compassionate patient care across more than 25 sites in North and South Carolina. This extensive network exposes fellows to diverse clinical experiences across various socioeconomic backgrounds and practice settings, including urban, suburban, and rural environments.

Additionally, the program collaborates with Wake Forest School of Medicine to support medical education at its expanding four-year campus in Charlotte, enhancing the academic environment for fellows.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum is structured to offer fellows a robust education in all critical aspects of hematology and oncology. This includes a series of core activities designed to develop clinical competence and research capabilities. The innovative curriculum includes half-day continuity clinic sessions, core lectures, and weekly multidisciplinary tumor boards where fellows actively participate.

Each month features a fellow-run journal club, hematopathology conferences, and a president's conference with leadership discussions on relevant patient cases and topical areas. The curriculum is flexible, allowing fellows to tailor their experience according to their career aspirations, whether they lean towards patient care or research.

Rotations

Fellows engage in a diversity of rotations spread across their three years:

• Year 1: A month-long introductory course to hematology/oncology, followed by rotations in outpatient oncology, outpatient hematology, inpatient hematology (including specialized malignant hematology service), and inpatient oncology.
• Year 2: Inclusion of research months and a mix of inpatient and outpatient rotations that provide deeper insights into multidisciplinary oncology.
• Year 3: Opportunities for extensive elective time focused on either research or clinical practice with additional community-based care rotations.

During year three, fellows wanting to pursue clinical medicine will have additional opportunities for disease-specific and multidisciplinary clinical rotations. The curriculum allows for significant research time, making up to 16 months of dedicated research possible depending on fellows' interests and discussions with their mentors.

Competitive Nature of the Program

The Hematology and Oncology Fellowship is competitive, aimed primarily at graduates from accredited MD or DO programs. The program welcomes applications from individuals with varied backgrounds including DOs and IMGs, promoting an inclusive selection process designed to attract talented candidates from various paths.

Visa Sponsorship

The program supports visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, providing a valuable pathway for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents seeking training opportunities in the United States. The specific types of visas supported typically include J-1 exchange visitor visas, ensuring that fellows from diverse backgrounds can participate in this esteemed program.

Application Requirements

Special application prerequisites for consideration in the program include the graduation year from medical school and the maximum number of failed STEP exams. The program is particularly selective, focusing on candidates who have demonstrated resilience and commitment to the field of hematology and oncology.