Key Details
The NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship program enables physicians to gain a strong clinical grounding in hematology and oncology, as well as a comprehensive exposure to clinical, laboratory, and translational research. NIH runs more than 350 clinical trials in oncology and hematology, and our fellows can participate in trials from the moment they begin their training. Fellows are able to serve as a principal or associate investigator throughout their fellowships.
Jointly supported by the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Center for Cancer Research (CCR) and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Division of Intramural Research, the program is located on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. Fellows train at the NIH Clinical Center, the nation's largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research and one of the world’s top cancer research facilities. Alumni of the fellowship program include accomplished and respected physicians conducting cutting-edge research at NIH and other premier research hospitals and institutions throughout the world.
In addition to the NIH Clinical Center, fellows rotate at major urban hospitals including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Sibley Memorial Hospital, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Fellows are exposed to a diverse population of patients and a wide array of hematologic and oncologic diagnoses with opportunities to deal with the entire spectrum of complications and therapy. The range of opportunities for individualized training includes the option to complete elective rotations elsewhere. Training at NIH also provides opportunities to learn the strategies and regulations involved in conducting clinical research in hematology and oncology, bench-to-bedside research, and the design and management of clinical trials.
The NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship program provides a unique opportunity for physicians interested in academic and research careers to develop and integrate their interests in clinical, basic, and population-based research. At their discretion, fellows may choose to pursue a three-year program (1.5 years of clinical rotations, 1.5 years of research) leading to board certification in both hematology and oncology (double-track training) or a two-year program (one year of clinical rotations, one year of research) leading to board certification in either hematology or oncology alone (single-track training). All fellows have one half day of continuity clinic per week throughout their clinical and research time. Scroll down for a schematic showing more about these options.
First and Second Years: The first 12-18 months of clinical training includes rotations in in-patient wards, as well as outpatient clinical rotations in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, lymphoma, leukemia, solid-tumor oncology, bone marrow failure, sickle cell hemoglobinopathies, and hematology/oncology consults at the NIH Clinical Center. Additional structured clinical rotations are performed in hematology/oncology clinics and inpatient consults at Medstar Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Sibley Memorial Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and the acute leukemia service at The Johns Hopkins Hospital or University of Maryland Medical Center. The didactics conference schedule includes regularly scheduled journal clubs, tumor boards, core lecture series, board review, multidisciplinary rounds, and weekly conferences at which fellows present analyses of clinical or research problems. Internationally recognized clinical investigators are invited to present at weekly CCR grand rounds and at multiple venues encompassing the NIH’s intramural and extramural research programs.
Second and Third Years: During the final 12-18 months of research time, fellows acquire the skills necessary to become independent biomedical investigators. They may choose to work with one of the more than 100 laboratories and clinical research groups at the NIH. The choice of laboratory or clinical research group is made by mutual agreement of the fellow, the laboratory or clinical mentor, and the fellowship leadership. During this period, the half-day/week clinic continuity obligation continues, along with didactic activities and further development of clinical independence.
Research opportunities include basic, clinical, and population-based investigation. Fellows may elect to work with any investigator on the NIH campus, not only those within the NCI or the NHLBI. A process is in place for fellows interested in continuing their research time beyond the 3-year program to enhance their competitiveness for intramural tenure-track positions or extramural positions and grant funding.
NIH Hematology Oncology Fellows can participate in dual training opportunities both inside and outside NIH.
Combined Hematology and Transfusion Medicine/Blood Banking Fellowship: this new option, named in honor of Dr. Elaine Sloand, allows fellows to complete training resulting in degrees and certification in both blood banking/transfusion medicine and hematology (+/- medical oncology). The program is three years for single-track hematology fellows and four years for those interested in dual track hematology oncology training. Applicants should make their interest in this track known at the time of fellowship application through ERAS/NRMP. Learn more.
Interagency Oncology Task Force (IOTF) Fellowship: Offered as a partnership of the NIH, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department Health and Human Services (HHS), the IOTF program trains scientists in research and research-related regulatory review, policies, and regulations to develop a skillset that bridges the two disparate processes. The track trains physicians in aspects of clinical trials methodology and analysis, epidemiology, clinical aspects of medical product development, and regulation to facilitate the movement of drugs, biologics, and devices from the basic bench science to commercialization. Any NIH Hematology Oncology fellow may decide to apply to participate during fellowship. Learn more.
Joint Training in Cancer Prevention & Control: A collaborative effort between the NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program and the NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) allows single-track medical oncology fellows to complete both clinical training in oncology and research training in cancer prevention and control. The Joint Training in Cancer Prevention and Control track provides clinical training with the NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program, the opportunity to earn a fully funded MPH or equivalent degree sponsored by the CPFP, mentored research opportunities in cancer prevention and control across the NCI, and access to a structured professional development curriculum. Those interested should apply during the initial fellowship application process in ERAS and match through the NRMP. For more information about this track, the training timeline, and the CPFP, please visit the CPFP website.
Joint Training in Clinical Trials Research: During their second or subsequent years, hematology and/or medical oncology 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. Any NIH Hematology Oncology fellow may decide to apply to participate during fellowship.
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.