Hematology/Oncology Fellowship

Our programs mission is in line with the Institution’s mission: it is to transform well trained internists into compassionate, ethical subspecialists who will provide the highest standard of care to patients with hematologic and oncologic conditions. They will be proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of these illnesses and will be the best resource for patients and colleagues from all specialties. The program will prepare fellows who will provide quality care to a culturally diverse population across all socioeconomic strata.

During each year of training, fellows will achieve progressive levels of proficiency in entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and all aspects of clinical practice while working with a broad range of hematologic and oncologic conditions. By performing outpatient and inpatient care and consultations under direct and indirect supervision as indicated, fellows will progress towards autonomy in clinical practice, with first year fellow focusing on commonly presenting problems and advanced fellows addressing more complex illnesses. This training will incorporate their experience in both continuity clinics and clinics in the Center for Cancer Care at Richmond University Medical Center in which fellows will participate throughout their three years of training. Procedural training will focus on acquisition of skills including peripheral smear review, bone marrow biopsy and aspiration as well as intrathecal cancer therapy administration both through lumbar puncture and ommaya reservoir. Protected time will focus on developing research proposals, review of the current literature and consolidation of didactics materials.

The Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Internal Medicine at Richmond University Medical Center sponsors a fully accredited without citations three-year combined fellowship with a total of 3 positions, leading to eligibility for board certification in both hematology and medical oncology.

The goal of the fellowship is the development of excellent clinical consultants. Opportunities to participate in both clinical and laboratory research are integral to that goal. Divisional teaching faculty has diverse interests spanning the range of classical hematology, solid tumors, hematologic malignancies, and palliative and supportive care.

In addition to a twice weekly hospital based continuity clinic, fellows obtain practical outpatient experience in Center for Cancer Care based faculty practice. This provides the trainees with an opportunity to sample the differences in styles of practice they will choose from upon completion of their training.

The curriculum is based upon a framework that emphasizes instruction in the following: (1) the treatment of disorders affecting the blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic and hemostatic systems; (2) the treatment of individual malignancies, with an emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach; (3) clinical experiences that emphasize patient management in both the inpatient and outpatient settings; (4) the ability to perform appropriate procedures; and (5) the key tools in basic science that apply to patient management.

The fellowship provides great opportunities to develop skills needed to address the complex psychosocial and supportive care needs of patients with hematologic and oncologic diseases. These include a very close cooperation the division of Palliative Care through which fellows become familiar with multiple topics including ethics, hospice, effects on families and caregivers, ethnicity, economics, communication skills, advanced directives, team approach, spirituality, pain, depression, and other end-of-life issues. Rotations in radiation oncology, blood banking, pathology and other disciplines are included in the curriculum. A bone marrow transplantation rotation is offered in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medical Center where fellows receive formal instruction and clinical experience in allogeneic and autologous bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation as well as management of associated complications.

Fellows attend multiple Lectures and Conferences throughout the year designed to expand their understanding and knowledge of hematologic and oncologic disorders.  Other scholarly activities include Journal Club, Research Seminar, Pathology Conference, Fellows’ Presentation, and the Guest Lecture Series, in addition to a weekly general Tumor Boards as well as regular subspecialty Tumor Boards

Faculty:

Dr. Victoria Forte – Program Director

Dr. Thomas Forlenza

Dr. Seetha Murukutla

Dr. Salman Shamim

Fellows:

Dr. Foma Munoh Kenne

Dr. Amandeep Kaur