Olive View/UCLA Medical Center Program

The Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Training Program at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center is a fully integrated, three-year program that offers comprehensive clinical training in hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplantation. The program includes training across three major medical systems: Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. Over the past five years, the fellowship has achieved a 100% subspecialty board examination pass rate in hematology and oncology, showcasing its strong educational foundation and the success of its fellows in securing competitive positions in various professional settings.

Fellows are provided rigorous training through a structured didactic curriculum consisting of conferences, lectures, and research presentations. This includes a variety of specialized sessions such as introductory oncology courses, hematology and oncology grand rounds, journal clubs, and multidisciplinary tumor board meetings. Research is a significant component of the program, with fellows assigned dedicated research blocks averaging four weeks per academic year and expected to produce at least one publication during their training. Opportunities for involvement in clinical trials are also available through the partnership with UCLA TRIO.

Clinical Rotations and Training Sites

As the fellowship’s home base, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center provides an exceptional learning environment, characterized by a large, diverse patient population that facilitates exposure to a wide range of cases. It offers numerous inpatient and outpatient rotations, including Heme/Onc wards, consultation services, and continuity clinics. The medical center is a vital healthcare provider for its surrounding community, which allows fellows to engage in meaningful patient care.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, known for its leading-edge cancer care, offers training through the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute with rotations focused on stem cell transplantation, benign hematology, and outpatient oncology. The affiliations continue at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, a flagship hospital in the region, providing a comprehensive training experience for fellows.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program prides itself on being inclusive and competitive, welcoming both U.S. citizens and international medical graduates (IMGs). Olive View-UCLA is known to be friendly towards DO graduates, ensuring a supportive environment for a diverse group of fellows. Those applying to the program may require visa sponsorship, which typically includes J-1 visas. It is recommended that international fellows confirm the most current visa requirements during the application process.

Application Process

Applications to the fellowship program must be submitted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and are subject to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Specific application requirements may include a minimum number of years since graduation and restrictions regarding prior STEP exam attempts. Details regarding the program structure, deadlines, and salary can be found through the program's formal application process.

The fellowship is designed to emphasize both clinical duties and didactic responsibilities, enabling fellows to grow professionally into independent practitioners. Beyond just the clinical training, there is also a strong emphasis on mentorship with fellow growth encouraged through longitudinal patient care experiences.

Salary and Benefits

The program offers competitive salaries that scale appropriately with each year of fellowship training. For example, the salary for post-graduate year 4 is $93,330, increasing to $96,603 in year 5 and $99,696 in year 6. Additionally, fellows benefit from support for travel to conferences, in-service examinations in both hematology and oncology, as well as other educational resources provided to enhance their training.