Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Jacksonville) Program

The Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, is designed as a three-year comprehensive program that equips fellows with a broad knowledge base and clinical expertise in hematology/oncology while also providing the opportunity to engage in significant research activities. The goal is to prepare trainees for successful careers in either academic or community practice settings while fostering an environment that promotes lifelong learning and inquiry.

Unique Program Opportunities

This program offers several unique features that enhance the fellowship experience, including:

• Comprehensive clinical training encompassing subspecialty experience and a multidisciplinary approach to managing patients with hematologic and oncologic disorders.
• About 13 blocks of protected and supported research time, allowing fellows to develop project skills under the mentorship of faculty, leading to presentations at scientific meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• A strong didactic curriculum supplemented by various conferences and a dedicated education half-day each week, free from patient care duties.
• A high emphasis on fellows’ wellness, personalized career development plans, and mentoring opportunities.
• Access to teach Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students and internal medicine residents.
• Utilization of resources available through the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, a leading NCI-designated cancer center in the U.S.

Curriculum Overview

During the three years of training, fellows will participate in diverse rotations:

• A one-block orientation, providing a foundation through shadowing and onboarding in outpatient clinics and inpatient services.
• Ambulatory outpatient subspecialty clinics focused on hematology and solid tumors to gain firsthand patient care experience under supervision.
• Inpatient services covering malignant hematology or bone marrow transplant, hematology consultations, and solid tumor consultations.
• Elective rotations of the fellow's choosing, including palliative care and hematopathology.

Research is a significant component of the training, with fellows dedicating time to clinical, laboratory, translational, and patient outcome research projects, mentored by faculty. The fellows' research endeavors often culminate in presentations at various national and international meetings, with findings published in respected journals.2

Didactic Training and Conferences

The fellowship incorporates extensive didactic training, structured as follows:

• Weekly fellows' conferences and hematopathology conferences.
• An education half-day, where fellows engage in activities such as board reviews, journal clubs, case discussions, and wellness sessions.
• Cancer Center Grand Rounds and disease-specific tumor board conferences.
• Morbidity and Mortality meetings.
• Participation in national hematology/oncology courses, including a competition for fellows.

Application Process and Qualifications

The program offers five competitive positions each year. Applicants must meet specific qualifications:

• Completion of three years in an accredited internal medicine training program in the U.S. or Canada.
• For international applicants, a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate is necessary.
• Eligibility for sponsorship under J1 or H1 visa categories, with moonlighting permitted under specified conditions during the second and third years of training.4

Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), with a requirement for four letters of recommendation, including one from the residency program director. The application deadline is August 7 of the year preceding the program start date, which commences on July 1. Selected candidates will be invited for virtual interviews in September and October.

Fellowship Environment and Faculty

The fellowship environment is collaborative and collegial, focusing on patient-centered learning and professional growth. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center operates as one of the leading cancer centers in the United States, managing over 25,000 patient evaluations annually.5

The faculty comprises highly regarded professionals committed to teaching and mentoring fellows throughout their educational journey, providing personalized guidance based on each fellow's individual goals. Visiting professors enrich the learning experience through lectures and informal discussions, contributing to a culture of excellence and continuous engagement with current research and clinical practices.

The fellowship program also emphasizes the significance of wellness and maintaining a work-life balance as essential components of training.6