Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Program

Overview of the Fellowship Program

The Fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at North Shore University Hospital & Long Island Jewish Medical Center is designed to cultivate a new generation of clinical oncologists with the requisite skills in cancer care. The program offers a three-year comprehensive training experience, inclusive of both clinical and research components, aimed at developing expertise in both medical oncology and hematology.

Application Process and Requirements

Interested candidates must submit their applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Both the Medical Oncology/Hematology Track and the Translational Research Track are available for selection during application. The program admits a total of five clinical fellows each year along with one translational research fellow. Candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited three-year Internal Medicine Residency and be board eligible or board certified in Internal Medicine. ECFMG certification is required for foreign medical graduates, along with three letters of recommendation, a CV, medical school transcript, and a personal statement.

Program Structure

This fellowship encompasses distinct tracks, allowing fellows to choose based on their career goals:

Clinical Fellowship Track

The curriculum focuses heavily on clinical care, offering various inpatient and outpatient rotations alongside teaching responsibilities. Each fellow assumes roles ranging from consultant duties during inpatient rotations to outpatient responsibilities across several specialties at R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center.

Translational Research Track

In partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, this track provides 12 months of clinical training followed by two years of research training, helping fellows develop critical research skills. This program aims to bridge the gap between laboratory study and clinical application, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the biology underlying cancer.

Training Sites and Rotations

The majority of clinical training occurs at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center, part of the Northwell Health system. Fellows engage in various rotations, including:

• North Shore University Hospital Hematology Consult Service
• Long Island Jewish Medical Center Hematology Consult Service
• Oncology Consult Services at both hospitals
• Bone Marrow Transplant Service
• The 7 Monti Leukemia and Lymphoma Service

Through these rotations, fellows develop their role as consultants and improve their communication and diagnostic skills while managing patients' acute complications.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages fellows to engage in a variety of research projects, collaborating with over 200 affiliated physicians and research scientists in the Cancer Institute. Opportunities for clinical trials are prominent, with fellows involved in numerous studies aimed at advancing care standards and treatment methodologies. Participants in the translational research track will have dedicated time for laboratory work and will be closely mentored by faculty from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Competitiveness and Diversity

The fellowship program is competitive and welcomes applications from both MD and MD/PhD graduates. The program's commitment to diversity enhances its training environment, leading to improved healthcare delivery to a variety of populations.

Visa Support

The program offers support for visa sponsorship, accepting applications for both J1 and H1 visa types. This enables foreign medical graduates to participate in the fellowship, opening opportunities for an international cohort of trainees.

Core Educational Components

All fellows participate in the Fellows Core Conference, featuring bi-weekly lectures covering critical topics such as chemotherapy pharmacology, cancer biology, and clinical trials. Additionally, fellows have the opportunity to present at national meetings, thereby enhancing their educational experience.