The Pediatric Leukemia Fellowship Training Program is Texas Medical Board accredited for one year of advanced training in comprehensive clinical and research training for candidates interested in a career in academic pediatric hematology-oncology with a primary focus on leukemia research, evaluation and management.
Currently, pediatric leukemia is the most common malignancy of childhood. Therapies are increasingly complex and specific for selected disease subtypes and should only be directed by individuals with expertise. As a result, outcomes are continually improving. Those who survive require long-term follow up as cancer survivors. Patients who have progressive or relapsed disease are often treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and/or phase I and II drug trials. Such multifaceted treatment of children with leukemia requires a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists. The need for unique subspecialists who can orchestrate such a highly specialized multidisciplinary team has produced the concept of a pediatric leukemia specialist.
Goals and Objective
The overall objective is to develop clinical expertise, leadership skills and research expertise in the field of leukemia and related diseases.
To provide advanced training in the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of children and adolescents with leukemia and related diseases
To augment administrative and clinical expertise in the multidisciplinary field of pediatric leukemic diseases
To improve the trainees’ knowledge of leukemia biology in such a way that they will have a comprehensive understanding of this topic
To train individuals in the current Phase I, II and III therapies of pediatric leukemia such that they will have expertise in the clinical management of patients with this disease
To further enhance the teaching and leadership skills of trainees in this area
Program Eligibility
Candidates should be American Board of Pediatrics eligible for pediatric hematology-oncology or should have received equivalent training as judged by the program directors. Only individuals who have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology or equivalent training are eligible for this advanced training opportunity.
Foreign medical graduates and visa holders At this time, we are only able to accept J-1 training visas, but not those with H1B visas.
Program Duration
One year
Program Dates
July - June
Program Accreditation and Training Sites
Texas Medical Board: 503480507 Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Curriculum
Through the following core rotations, each lasting for one to two months, the trainee will acquire multidisciplinary knowledge and skills necessary for the management of children and adolescents with leukemia. Depending on the rotation, the trainee will spend 2-3 days weekly in these learning venues in addition to the time spent in the leukemia clinic service as noted above. The trainee will participate in the following:
Clinic
Protocol development
Hematopathology
Flow Cytometry
Cytogenetics
Bone Marrow Transplant
Phase I and II / Pharmacology
Long Term Survivor
Didactic
Conference
Frequency
Role of the Fellow
Tumor Board & Problem Case Conference
Weekly
Organizes and Conducts conference Moderates discussion Participant in discussion
Fellows interested in this fellowship training program must complete and submit an application along with three letters of reference, a curriculum vitae and a statement of interest.