Stem Cell Transplantation Fellowship

The Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Department offers specialized training for physicians interested in bone marrow transplantation and stem cell therapy. This intensive one-year fellowship is designed to prepare physicians for academic careers in bone marrow transplantation. Two to three applicants are accepted each year.  

Fellows will develop the clinical skills and understanding necessary to become a outstanding provider of care for patients with diseases requiring high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Fellows should additionally develop research skills that will allow them to perform independently in an academic, clinical or laboratory setting.

Trainees will participate in both inpatient and outpatient clinical rotations. All clinical care will be under the direction of the supervising BMT staff physicians. Duties include:  

1. Demonstrate competence in the pre-transplant outpatient evaluation of patients, including clinical staging and HLA typing, synthesis of an appropriate clinical plan and discussion of risks and benefits of treatment alternatives.
2. Write orders for administration of high-dose chemotherapy and supportive care and coordinate the management of medications with clinical pharmacists.
3. Identify appropriateness of stem cell product therapy, growth factor therapy and transfusion medicine as is relevant to transplantation.
4. Identify, stage and manage acute and chronic GVHD.
5. Identify and manage infectious complications of transplantation including suspected and documented bacterial, viral and/or fungal infections.
6. Manage thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications of transplantation including bleeding, DIC, TTP and deep venous thromboses.
7. Diagnose and manage other complications of transplantation, including hemorraghic cystitis, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, veno-occlusive disease and graft failure.
8. Discuss prognosis and options for supportive care of terminally ill patients.
9. Formulate a follow-up plan and educate patients at discharge.
10. Understand principles of apheresis and photopheresis as relevant to stem cell collection and for the treatment of TTP and GVHD. Understand contraindications to and complications of apheresis.
11. Manage autologous and allogeneic transplant patients in the outpatient setting and assist in the transition of care to referring physicians when appropriate.
12. Identify indications and contraindications for marrow harvest, evaluate patient for marrow harvest and learn to perform and manage complications of harvest.
13. Identify a problem in clinical transplantation or basic science relevant to transplantation and execute a research project that is likely to lead to publication in a high-quality peer-reviewed journal.
14. Derive a thorough understanding of the standards of care in clinical transplantation and the role of experimental therapies for high-risk diseases.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates will be selected based on clinical experience, references, performance on examinations and prior achievements; i.e., presentations and/or publications. Applicants should:  

• Be board-certified or eligible in medical oncology and/or hematology
• Have completed a residency in internal medicine and demonstrate a high level of clinical competence
• Most candidates will have some training in medical oncology and/or hematology

References should be provided to demonstrate proficiency during prior clinical training. All available standardized tests (e.g., ABIM exams) will be reviewed.  

How to Apply

Apply to this program using the DISCOVER online application system.

Required documents for all applicants:

- Submit an original application

- Curricula vitae

- Personal statement

- USMLE 1 & 2 or COMLEX transcript and scores

- Unofficial/Official transcript of highest degree

- Official transcript of USMLE

- (3) Letters of recommendation, plus

- (1) Letter of recommendation from your program director

- Medical school transcript- Photograph (optional)

- Credential evaluation (foreign equivalency)

- Foreign trainees

- Letter of good standing