Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Program

The Medical College of Wisconsin offers a comprehensive Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine fellowship program within its Hematology and Oncology department. This program is structured to provide advanced training in the field of Transfusion Medicine with a focus on clinical expertise, research, and patient care.

Program Structure

The fellowship is designed as a 3-year program which includes in-depth rotations through various clinical services. These services encompass inpatient Hematology/Oncology wards, consultative roles, Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT), Palliative Care, and Transfusion Medicine. Additionally, fellows engage in outpatient care through a continuity clinic at two key training sites: Froedtert Hospital and Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. Each fellow is assigned specific patients under the supervision of attending faculty members, ensuring personalized learning experiences.1

Clinical Rotations

During the fellowship, fellows will rotate through a variety of key services, including:

• Inpatient Hematology/Oncology Service
• Leukemia Service
• Consult Service
• Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT)
• Palliative Care
• Outpatient Clinics (two half-day clinics per week)
• Key Electives such as Gynecological-Oncology, Hematopathology, and Transfusion Medicine

This blend of rotations allows fellows to manage a diverse patient population, providing exposure to hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and non-malignant hematology cases.1

Educational Component

The program includes various educational conferences that play a significant role in fellows’ training, including:

• Formal core curriculum didactic sessions occurring weekly
• Hematopathology case conferences for case presentations
• Research conferences focusing on clinical research methodologies
• Tumor Boards discussing cases across various tumor types
• Journal clubs reviewing significant hematology and oncology studies

Attending national conferences is encouraged to facilitate learning and networking opportunities.1

Research Opportunities

Research forms an integral part of the fellowship, with approximately one year dedicated to research activities. Fellows have the option to pursue clinical or laboratory research, often starting in their second year. Collaborations with mentors engaged in ongoing research projects within the Cancer Center and other affiliated programs provide substantial opportunities for scholarly activities.1

Visa Support

The Medical College of Wisconsin is committed to supporting international fellows through their training. The program provides visa sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visas, which allows international medical graduates to participate fully in the fellowship.1

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

Admission to the fellowship program is competitive, with particular attention given to the candidate's previous training, clinical experience, and academic performance. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and DO candidates are both welcomed and encouraged to apply. Specific application requirements may include a maximum of two failed Step exams, among other academic criteria.1

Overall, the fellowship provides a robust training environment in Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine, promoting both professional development and comprehensive clinical training in a supportive and dynamic academic setting.