Physicians who have completed their residency in internal medicine can begin applying to the program yearly in June via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) webpage. Our fellowship employs a holistic application and review process to recruit, attract, and match a diverse group of fellows. Early application is encouraged for those wishing to be considered for the five Friday virtual interview sessions generally held in September and October, with the opportunity for an on-site second look for interested candidates.
If you have any questions about the fellowship program or application process, please email Kellyn Betts or George Lindsay.
Applications are reviewed and processed through ERAS. Our program is listed as the NIH Clinical Center Program (ACGME ID#1552314155) under the heading for Hematology/Oncology (Internal Medicine).
Documents Required for Application: A minimum of 3 letters of recommendation, one of which is from the candidate's internal medicine training program director.
Candidates with significant prior research experience should include a recommendation from their research mentor.
Application Deadline: August 1st annually
Invitations to interview will be sent out the week of August 12. All interviews will be conducted virtually, and our interviews for fellowships starting on July 1, 2025 will be held on September 13, September 20, September 27, October 18 and October 25, 2024.
NCI: Oncology, Oncology/Hematology, or Cancer Prevention
NHLBI: Hematology or Hematology/Oncology or Elaine M. Sloand Combined Hematology and Transfusion Medicine
Fellows may be sponsored on visas. Such fellows will need to have completed the necessary exams and training, as well as work efficiently with the administrative staff to submit the required application documentation for sponsorship. We encourage interested candidates needing visa sponsorship – including H-1B, J-1, O-1, or other visa classification – to communicate with the fellowship program coordinator office proactively and transparently, ahead of and during the ERAS/interview process. It is expected that these communications will include all essential information related to current and future work authorization.
Our Fellows receive:
- Competitive salary (fellows' salaries for 2024: $85,338 (PGY 4); $90,115 (PGY 5); $99,551 (PGY 6); $108,984 (PGY 7))
- Non-competitive student loan repayment program for eligible fellows (up to $50,000 per year, as well as associated income taxes)
- Relocation assistance, including payment of moving expenses
- Fellows who single-board are eligible to sit for the ABIM certifying exam in hematology or medical oncology after two years; those interested in the combined medical oncology/hematology program are eligible to sit for both exams after three years.
- A laptop computer and cell phone for use during fellowship
- Moonlighting opportunities within NIH
- Reimbursement for medical oncology and hematology board exams
- Reimbursement for state medical license
- Paid travel covered for one national meeting per year (e.g., ASCO or ASH) in the second and subsequent fellowship years
- Fellowship office suite with kitchenette and personal desk space for senior fellows and hoteling space for all fellows on a first-come, first-served basis
- Lab coats and cleaning
- Purchase of online access to resources from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology
- The numerous social and cultural amenities of life in the Washington, D.C. area
NIH fellows have a wide range of opportunities for both clinical and laboratory research and options are available for those interested in cancer prevention or working at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in grant-writing. Our mentors are independent or laboratory investigators with proven records of grantsmanship and academic success
Clinical research: Fellows working with clinical teams have the opportunity to help design, write, and run clinical trials, as well as analyze and publish their findings.
Laboratory research: Fellows wishing to pursue laboratory research can be involved in cutting-edge projects with more than 100 principal investigators throughout the NIH. Labs that take on a fellow are paid a supplement for extra supplies and services, making the addition of a bright, eager fellow a welcome prospect.
Cancer prevention and control: Fellows wishing to conduct research in cancer prevention and control can choose mentors in areas including vaccination, screening, chemoprevention, behavior modification, health care delivery, risk assessment, or genetic risk interpretation (see the Joint Training in Cancer Prevention and Control opportunity).
FDA: Fellows interested in experiencing a regulatory environment can arrange for protected time with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During their second or subsequent years, fellows may also apply to participate in a formal training program in clinical trials research, offered collaboratively with Duke University and leading to a master’s degree.
Grantsmanship: Fellows may take advantage of numerous opportunities to write grants and participate in grant-writing workshops.
The range of opportunities for individualized training also includes the option to complete elective rotations elsewhere.
Fellowship Directors
Jennifer A. Kanakry, M.D.
Program Director
240.760.6172
Kathryn Lurain, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Program Director for Hematologic Malignancies & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Inititiatives
240.858.3257
Christopher Pleyer, M.D.
Associate Program Director for Hematology
301.451.7099
Danielle Pastor, D.O., Ph.D.
Associate Program Director for Medical Oncology & Chief of Medical Oncology Consult Service
240.858.3737
Kamil Rechache, M.D.
Associate Program Director for Cellular Therapies
301.633.5560
Chief Fellows
Melissa Abel, M.D.
240.447.5353
Kelley Coffman, M.D.
240.447.5314
Program Administrators
Ms. Kellyn Betts
240.858.7140
Ms. Elizabeth Hedstrom
240.858.3397
Mr. George Lindsay
301.402.2399
Ms. Saleema Osman
240.409.6346
Like all of CCR's clinical training programs, the NIH Hematology/Oncology Fellowship is part of Graduate Medical Education at NIH.