Postgraduate Physician Assistant Program in Oncology

Didactic Curriculum

The didactic component of the curriculum consists of lectures, multidisciplinary conferences and Institutional Grand Rounds. By working at a premier oncology research institution, participants will have the opportunity to become involved in research. At the end of the year, each PA will prepare a manuscript suitable for publication on a relevant oncology topic.

Clinical Curriculum

The didactic portion of the curriculum is reinforced daily by hands-on training in a variety of settings, including multidisciplinary clinics, hospital wards, and the operating room. Trainees will become an integral part of the health care team, be supervised by an attending physician and gain the confidence and skills required to become a successful oncologic PA.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain skills in various surgical procedures, bone marrow aspiration, biopsy interpretation and management of immunocompromised patients. They will also gain experience in correlating the clinical evaluation of the patient with radiologic, laboratory and pathologic findings. During the year, PAs will rotate through 16 core rotations. In addition, time will be available for elective rotations.

• Breast Oncology
• Gastrointestinal Oncology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Head and Neck Oncology
• Infectious Diseases
  
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Palliative Care
• Radiology
• Sarcoma
• Stem Cell Transplant
• Neuro-oncology
• Thoracic Oncology
• Genitourinary Oncology
• Community Oncology
• Elective clinical rotations (time permitting) available including Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Oncology and Investigational Cancer Therapeutics

The competitive stipend for FY 20 is $93,500.  PA fellows receive various benefits as provided for MD Anderson clinical trainees. For information regarding these benefits, refer to the Clinical Education Trainee Manual noted above. PA fellows may incur some professional costs during the program to include books, professional organization membership fees, conference registration, etc. It is estimated that these expenses be no more than $1,000.

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate and have earned approximately 100 hours of continuing medical education credit. They may also discover future job opportunities by networking within MD Anderson Cancer Center.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
 

• Be a student or graduate in good standing of a Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association approved PA program
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (Masters degree preferred)
• Obtain National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants prior to program start date
• Obtain a Texas PA license prior to the program start date

Please email us at paponc@mdanderson.org with any questions.
Applications for the 2022-2023 PA Fellowship cohort will be accepted starting Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. CST on Friday, July 30, 2021.  No late submissions will be accepted.

Apply to this program using the DISCOVER online application system. The following documents are required:

• References. You will be asked to submit the names and contact information for three individuals who will be contacted by our office on your behalf.  If employed, one reference must be from a current supervising physician. New graduates must provide at least one reference from their program director or a clinical faculty member.
• Personal statement
• Curriculum vitae 
• Physician Assistant Fellowship Knowledge Assessment
• Original transcripts from PA school attended must be submitted directly to the PA office if you are offered a position.  During the application process, unofficial transcripts can be submitted through Discover.
• 1 Letter of Recommendation will be requested from each reference
• Assessment of clinical acumen from a reference 
• Assessment of didactic capacity from a reference

We also would like to learn more about you and your interest in oncology.  Within your curriculum vitae (CV) and personal statement, we encourage you to include information in any or all of the following areas:

•  Professional Goals and Interest in Oncology
•  Clinical/Research/Employment Experience in the field of oncology
•  Graduate coursework and projects
•  Clinical research experience
•  Professional publications
•  Honors and awards
•  Volunteer experience 

Applicants will be asked to complete an submit the Reference Contact Information form found in their Discover account in a timely manner, as the program will be contacting the individuals provided on the form on their behalf to complete a separate recommendation letter and evaluation on didactic capacity and clinical acumen.  No other documents are needed in Discover at this time. There are additional documents required for Discover once an applicant is accepted into the program. 

Selection Process

Applicants are selected based on their academic achievement, interpersonal skills and an established interest in oncology. Candidates with foundational competencies in clinical research which may be obtained in undergraduate or PA school are preferred. Those with an interest in PA education and leadership are encouraged to apply.  Top applicants are invited to a virtual interview.  Applicants who score the highest in the virtual interview are then invited to a required, in-person interview in Houston.  Three PA fellow positions are filled each cohort, depending on budget.

Timeline of Events

• Application period for 2022-2023 cohort begins:  June 2021
• Application due date: July 30, 2021
• Notification of 1st Round Virtual Interview:  August 2021
• Virtual Panel Interview:  August 26, 2021
• Notification of 2nd Round In-Person Interview:  October 2021
• Virtual Interview Day (required):  November 12, 2021
• Notification of acceptance: December 2021
  
• Program Start Date:  April 4, 2022
• Program End Date:  March 24, 2023

PLEASE NOTE:  These dates and timeline depend on the duration of MD Anderson's current response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Dates are subject to change.