Lymphoma/Myeloma Fellowship

The goals of the Lymphoma/Myeloma Fellowship program are to train fellows to provide specialized care for patients with Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and plasma cell dyscrasias; to successfully design and implement clinical research studies; and to be in a position to conduct independent research in lymphoma/myeloma and apply for research funding.

Through a combination of inpatient and outpatient clinical responsibilities and associated clinical teaching, fellows will learn to evaluate, diagnose, treat and monitor disease of the lymphoid system and manage regimen-related toxicities, evaluate disease response, and choose appropriate therapy for newly-diagnosed and relapsed disease. Each fellow will be exposed to a variety of research programs.

At the completion of one year of training, fellows are expected to be competent to assume independent clinical responsibilities and research investigations; be familiar with the natural history of lymphoma and myeloma; and to be knowledgeable about appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in lymphoma and myeloma. Fellows are also expected to present their work at a national and/or international professional meeting and write a manuscript for publication. 

Curriculum

Clinical Research: We provide a 3-day course on Clinical Research Methodology which includes: small group sessions with expert faculty that will focus on clinical research design, statistical design, biomarker trial design, utilizing big data, implementation and analysis, grant writing tips and strategies; and development of a clinical study design with specific aims. This will be followed by monthly follow-up meetings. Fellows will work closely with faculty members involved in clinical research and be expected to participate in clinically-based research projects; research is performed at least 2 days per week. Translational (bench-to-bedside) research opportunities are also available. Fellows are encouraged to present their research at national meetings. 

Clinical Practice: Our program includes intense training in the care of patients with lymphoma or myeloma through working directly with faculty members. Fellows will have 2 months of inpatient service completed on a 2-week rotation service; the remainder of the time is spent in outpatient clinic (2 days each week). There is an option for fellows to receive intense training in the care of patients enrolled in clinical trials, including patients in CAR T-cell programs.

Mentoring: Each fellow will be assigned a research mentor and a career development mentor who are clinical faculty members. These mentors will meet regularly with the fellow during the year.

Fellows will attend daily and weekly conferences including planning clinics, research conferences, case study conferences, institutional grand rounds and hematology grand rounds.  Fellows will also attend formal didactic lectures presented by faculty members, including hematology didactic lectures, and didactic lectures on lymphoma/myeloma disease states and subtypes. During this program Fellows will develop long-term mentoring and peer-to-peer relationships.

Acceptance Criteria

• Have an M.D. or O.D. degree and be < 6 years beyond completion of terminal training program.
• Complete an accredited Internal Medicine residency program in the U.S. or Canada, or equivalent foreign training.
• Take the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 3 exam by Nov. 1; or declare intent to pass it by January, 6 months prior to the fellowship start date. Fellowship candidates must be licensed by July 1.
• Obtain and maintain a Texas Training Permit, as required by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or obtain appropriate U.S. visa status prior to starting the fellowship.
• Should not be participating in another clinical research training program during the program period and should remain affiliated with MD Anderson for the duration of the program.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have also completed a fellowship in medical oncology.

How to Apply

Positions are available annually on a competitive basis. Applicants must be able to begin the fellowship starting July 1. The one-year program will end June 30 of the next year. No matching program services are used.

The application must include the following documents:

• Three letters of recommendation from faculty
• Dean's letter of support
• Medical school transcript
• License exam transcript

A letter of application and all supporting documentation must be submitted by e-mail to Lisa Foucheaux-Heider (LMFoucheaux@mdanderson.org; 713-745-4247). Documents must be received by September 30 of the year preceding the appointment date.