University of California Davis Health Program

The Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program at UC Davis Health is structured to provide an in-depth clinical and research training experience over three years, ultimately leading to Board qualification in both hematology and oncology. The program is also flexible enough to accommodate a two-year focus on hematology or medical oncology alone. With support from the UC Davis School of Medicine and several health institutions including the Veterans Administration Northern California Health System and Sacramento Kaiser Permanente Hospital, residents receive comprehensive training in a range of clinical settings.

The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, characterized as a National Cancer Institute-designated Clinical Cancer Center, serves as a central hub for fellowship training. Given the extensive referral base of around 4 million residents from a diverse geographic region, fellows experience a wide variety of clinical cases, which is essential for their training and development. The division's faculty consists of 32 full-time members, ensuring that fellows work closely with experienced practitioners throughout their training.

Program Structure and Rotations

The program is designed with flexibility and depth in mind. First-year fellows typically engage in rotations across subspecialty clinics at the Cancer Center and participate in weekly continuity clinics at the Veterans Administration. As fellows progress into their second and third years, they maintain two half-day continuity clinics weekly at both the Cancer Center and the VA, allowing them to build a personal patient panel throughout their training. These regular clinical experiences are complemented by rotations in critical areas such as Transfusion Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Palliative Care, and Hematopathology to ensure comprehensive training.1

Research Opportunities

Research is heavily emphasized within the fellowship, with a plethora of opportunities for fellows interested in clinical investigation, facilitated through the Mentored Clinical Research Training Program (MCRTP). Completing this program allows fellows to earn a Masters of Advanced Study in Clinical Research. New coming tracks for second-year fellows refine their training into specific areas such as research, clinical, and education, with personalization based on discussions with program directors.1

Moreover, fellows are guided in selecting and pursuing research projects that align with their interests under the supervision of faculty mentors. Successful completion of a research project is mandatory for graduation, supporting the fellows' contributions to research, with numerous opportunities for them to present their findings at prestigious national meetings.1

Educational Conferences and Seminars

Fellows are exposed to an extensive array of educational opportunities. Regular conferences such as the Hematology and Oncology Patient Management Conference serve as platforms for collaborative discussions among faculty, fellows, residents, and nurses about diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Additional subspecialty tumor boards and seminars conducted monthly enhance their learning and professional development. Senior fellows also get the chance to teach hematology courses to medical students, enabling them to develop teaching skills alongside their clinical and research training.1

Fellowship Wellness and Community

Maintaining the wellness of fellows is an integral aspect of the program. The tradition of the Annual Fellows Retreat in Sonoma, CA, promotes bonding and reflection across multiple disciplines at UC Davis. This event is not only a leisure opportunity but also strengthens the multidisciplinary ties among fellows from different specialties. It features an alumni panel that facilitates discussions surrounding career paths and fosters a supportive community.1

Application Process and Requirements

To apply for the UC Davis Hematology and Oncology Fellowship, candidates must have completed three years of internal medicine training by the start of the fellowship. Those choosing the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Research Pathway are also eligible, provided they achieve board certification or eligibility in internal medicine and obtain a California medical license.1

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program is competitive and is known to be friendly towards international medical graduates (IMGs) and osteopathic medical graduates (DOs), although specific application requirements related to graduation year or prior examination attempts may apply. The program also offers visa support for candidates requiring sponsorship, typically providing J-1 or H-1B visa sponsorship based on individual qualifications.1

Compensation and Benefits

Fellows are afforded medical benefits for themselves and their families, along with vacation and sick leave, accruing two days of vacation and one day of sick leave per month, respectively. The fellowship also includes annual stipends for education and travel, further enriching the fellows' professional development experiences.1