University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program

The Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is dedicated to training future leaders in the field of pediatric hematology and oncology. It is based at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, the largest children's hospital in California. The program's mission is to offer an extensive clinical and research training experience that prepares fellows for academic careers as clinical educators, researchers, and physician scientists.

Fellowship Overview

The program spans three years, with the first year focused on clinical training and the subsequent two years devoted to research. In the first year, fellows primarily work at the Peckham Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, gaining exposure to a broad patient population that enhances their competence in clinical diagnosis and management of pediatric hematology and oncology disorders. The rich research environment at UCSD also allows fellows to engage in individualized research training tailored to their specific goals and experiences. This training culminates in the delivery of high-quality care for children with cancer and blood disorders.

Program Aims

The fellowship aims to:

• Deliver high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
• Conduct innovative research to improve the health of pediatric patients with hematological or oncological disorders.
• Train the next generation of Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologists to lead in clinical education and research.

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Clinical Experiences

Rady Children's Hospital San Diego provides a broad range of clinical experiences. This comprehensive exposure is fostered through clinical rotations in various specializations, including CAR-T therapy, a significant immunotherapy newly available at the hospital. Also, the fellows are involved in the multidisciplinary Hematology/Gynecology Clinic and the Bone Marrow Failure Program. These institutional advantages ensure that fellows receive training that encompasses the multifaceted nature of pediatric hematology and oncology.

Fellows will also benefit from clinics specializing in cancer genetics, where they assess cancer risk for patients with hereditary cancer syndromes, and the Proton Therapy Program, which utilizes advanced pencil-beam scanning technology for treatment.

Fellows Curriculum

The first-year curriculum includes a variety of rotations that total 13 months. These encompass:

• Inpatient Clinical Rotations (10 months): Here, fellows manage patients admitted to the hematology oncology service across different teams (Hematology, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Solid Tumor, and Bone Marrow Transplant).
• Outpatient Clinical Rotations (2 months): Includes exposure to ambulatory care responsibilities, procedures like bone marrow aspirations, and managing comprehensive clinics.
• Research (1 month): Dedicated time for fellows to develop their research projects and plans.

Fellows receive continuous feedback through formal evaluations and engage in a quality improvement (QI) curriculum aimed at enhancing their understanding and execution of patient safety programs. Additionally, the program promotes the psychosocial aspects of care, equipping fellows with skills to support children's emotional health in treatment settings.

Research Opportunities

Research training is a critical component of the fellowship. Fellows can work in laboratories at UCSD, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, Scripps Research Institute, and more. Each fellow is provided with a faculty advisor and a research mentor to aid in their scholarly development. The program emphasizes quality improvement initiatives and facilitates clinical research enhancement through its CREST program.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

Applicants must possess an M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or D.O. degree and have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in general pediatrics. All candidates are required to pass USMLE Steps 1 and 2 prior to application. The program accepts J1 visa applicants but does not sponsor H1B visas. It is noteworthy that the fellowship is highly competitive, with a limited number of positions available each year.

Salary and Benefits

Salaries for fellows are competitive and determined by the Office of Graduate Medical Education, along with comprehensive health and dental insurance, disability support, four weeks of paid vacation, and 12 days of paid sick leave. Additionally, the program supports fellows attending significant conferences pertinent to hematology and oncology.

Team and Community

The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, with participation from hematology/oncology nurses, social workers, psychologists, dietitians, and child life specialists, all promoting inclusive excellence. The community surrounding UCSD in San Diego offers a vibrant environment with cultural activities, outdoor adventures, and a welcoming atmosphere for both fellows and their families.