Education and Training

Fellowship Program 

The Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Training Program at Duke University Medical Center is designed to provide a diversified, organized educational environment that will allow the fellow to develop both the clinical and research skills necessary to become an academic pediatric hematologist/oncologist. The program is dedicated to developing individual careers by providing a strong basic foundation in clinical and laboratory research that allows each trainee freedom to choose their career goals.

To prevent distractions and allow fellows to concentrate on acquiring their clinical and research skills, the fellowship is divided into one clinical year and two years dedicated to research. The first year of fellowship is an intensive clinical experience designed to allow the fellow to develop skills in diagnosis and current therapy for pediatric hematologic and oncologic problems. By providing a broad exposure to both common and unusual problems in pediatric hematology, oncology, neuro-oncology, and blood and marrow transplant the fellow will become competent in treating oncologic and hematologic disorders in children. The first year will also expose the fellow to many areas of potential research.

During the second and third year of training, the fellow’s time is committed to learning the principles of research or, if specifically requested, pursuing formal training in clinical research design and implementation.

Throughout all three years of training, the fellow maintains a weekly continuity clinic that provides the opportunity to care for patients longitudinally and to continually improve clinical skills. Fellows establish an ongoing relationship with patients and their families and, under the guidance of a faculty member in pediatric hematology-oncology, take primary responsibility for establishing chemotherapy treatment plans, participating in surgical and radiotherapy treatment decisions, and treating complications of a disease or its therapy. 

At the completion of the three-year program, the fellow will have acquired the skills and expertise necessary to meet or exceed the educational requirements for the Sub-Board of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology of the American Board of Pediatrics.

We also offer additional fellowship training pathways including a Med/Peds combined pathway leading to an opportunity to be double boarded and a Global Health pathway that can lead to a master’s degree in Global Health. Duke additionally offers advanced training opportunities in Neuro-Oncology, Transplant and Cellular Therapy and Advanced Research.