Hematology – Oncology - Department of Medicine

To provide outstanding clinical training in all areas of Hematology and Medical Oncology while maintaining compliance with policies and procedures of the ACGME and ABIM.

To instill life long passions for patient care and a vigorous pursuit of new knowledge through basic, translational and clinical research.

Goals and Objectives: Year-1

The overall goal of the first year of the Hematology/Oncology training program is to provide a creative clinical environment for the fellow to develop skills and experience in the comprehensive care of cancer patients and in the diagnosis and management of hematologic diseases. Fellows rotate on nine different rotations during fourteen 3-4 week blocks throughout the first year:

Hematologic Malignancy Service (7-8 weeks)
Bone Marrow Transplant (7-8 weeks)
Duke Hematology Consult Service (7-8 weeks)
Solid Tumor Service (7-8 weeks)
Durham VA Hematology-Oncology Consult Service (7-8 weeks)
Benign Hematology Outpatient Clinic (3-4 weeks)
Solid Tumor Outpatient Clinic (3-4 weeks)
Hematologic Malignancy Outpatient Clinic (3-4 weeks)
Radiation Oncology Outpatient Clinic (3-4 weeks)

Throughout the year, each fellow also participates in a weekly ½ day longitudinal clinic at the Durham VA Hematology-Oncology clinic.

Because of the intensive clinical training that occurs during year 1, only limited time is available for research. Nevertheless, fellows are expected to prepare and make important decisions regarding research interests and career plans during their first year. Goals for all first year fellows include:

Develop a disease interest in which the trainee can become a clinical scholar.
Attend the Winter Hematology-Oncology Fellows Research Retreat.
Attend the Winter Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Retreat.
Attend the Spring Research Skills Training Retreat.
Identify a research mentor.
Identify a research project.
Select a Basic, Translational or Clinical research track.

Each first year fellow will be assigned several faculty mentors to assist them in career planning and selection of a research mentor and project. First year fellows start their planning process in August with informal meetings with faculty mentors and the Program Director. These meetings should generate a list of potential research mentors and projects. First year fellows should meet with potential research mentors to discuss specific research projects during the Fall and early Winter. The Fellowship Program Research Committee will meet with first year fellows and prospective research mentors in May to review and approve research plans. Selected members of the Fellowship Program Research Committee will form the core of a research committee that will meet regularly with the fellow and mentor to review progress.

Goals and Objectives: Year 2

Participate in a weekly longitudinal clinic at the Durham VA Hospital, Duke Health Raleigh Hospital or Duke Oncology Network.

Develop further experience and expertise in individual chemotherapy agents.

Continue to learn the scientific basis of hematology, hematopoiesis, and cancer pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.

Gain more exposure to Duke multidisciplinary clinics including:

Breast Oncology Program Clinic
Radiation Oncology Clinic
Hereditary Cancer Clinic
Gynecology Oncology Clinic
Neuro-Oncology Clinic
Gastrointestinal Oncology Clinic
Cutaneous Oncology Clinic
Hematologic Malignancies Clinic
Prostate/Genitourinary Oncology Clinic
Thoracic Oncology Clinic
Sickle Cell Clinic
Hemostasis and Thrombosis Clinic
General Hematology Clinic

Develop competence in the management of uncommon and complex disorders in hematology and medical oncology.

The overall goals for research in the second fellowship year vary depending on the program and ultimate goals chosen by the individual fellow. Some goals appropriate to all fellows are:

Plan and begin a research project.
Select additional research committee members.
Learn academic writing skills and prepare clinical case reviews for publication.
Present research updates to the Fellowship Program Research Committee (October and May).
10 minute poster presentation at the Winter Research Retreat (January).
Prepare a case report and literature review manuscript for submission to a peer reviewed journal.

Goals and Objectives: Year 3

Move toward independent clinical decision-making through care of patients in longitudinal clinics.
Develop sufficient professional ability to practice hematology and medical oncology competently and independently.
During years 2 and 3, fellows meet the ABIM requirements for board certification in Hematology and Medical Oncology by spending 25% (equivalent to 3 months per year) of their time in clinical training. The specific training experiences are flexible depending on the needs and future career plans of individual trainees.

During fellowship year 3, fellows generally continue their research program, as described above, as well as their required longitudinal clinic. Those pursuing a clinically oriented research career also continue their weekly clinic in their area of interest. The goals of the third year arise from these activities and are aimed to help prepare the fellows for continuing their careers as junior faculty. To that end their goals are to:

Further develop research skills.
Focus career plans and research goals.
Begin to write applications for career development awards.
Continue course work in basic sciences, clinical research, biometry, or other academic area supporting the individual’s career research goals.
Develop a more mature understanding of molecular hematology, cancer biology, and clinical management.
Obtain a faculty position at an academic medical center following completion of the fellowship.

Vacation:

Year 1: Three one week vacations plus 5 days off at Christmas or New Years.

Years 2 and 3: Three weeks vacation plus 5 days off at Christmas or New Years each year.

Moonlighting:

Second and Third year fellows may choose to sign up for Duke Hospital Oncology inpatient night time coverage (7 pm – 7 am, $960/night). Other moonlighting opportunities are also available.

For further information about this training program, please select one of the quick links to the right.

Fellowship Program Links

Fellowship Programs General Information