Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

The Division of Hematology/Oncology at Indiana University School of Medicine is a part of the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, and the only center with such distinction in Indiana. The IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

The school’s Division of Hematology-Oncology is comprised of a diverse faculty with expertise in every major hematologic and oncology disease. The division has a multi-disciplinary clinic in prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, head and neck cancer, melanoma, testicular, bone marrow transplant and precision genomics, among others.

IU School of Medicine's Hematology/Oncology Fellowship is one of the oldest programs in the United States, established by Lawrence Einhorn, MD, in 1975. Graduates from IU School of Medicine have a long track of success including two ASCO presidents, one ASH president, four ASCO presidential candidates and ten faculty who have served as chairs on various ECOG committees. IU School of Medicine has published multiple landmark trials in the areas of lung, colon, bladder, breast, pancreas, ovarian, germ cell tumors, anti-emetics, quality of life and survivorship. The school is credited with making the previously fatal disseminated testicular cancer the now highly curable disease we see today. Research from IU School of Medicine has also led to FDA approval of six drugs.

Advanced Hematology-Oncology Training

For specific questions, including details on how to apply, interested physicians can contact the fellowship coordinator.

Program Leadership

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Learn more about the Hematology-Oncology Fellowship program from current and past fellows.

National and International Leadership

In addition to their clinical expertise, IU School of Medicine faculty have been a part of serving as national and international leaders. Excellent mentoring opportunities over the years have assisted many IU School of Medicine Hematology/Oncology Fellowship graduates in becoming national and international leaders in their respective fields.

Lawrence Einhorn, MD, in 2000-2001 and George Sledge, MD, in 2010-2011 served as prior presidents of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Several IU School of Medicine faculty and former fellows serve in other leadership capacities for ASCO, including the Board of Directors.

Hal Broxmeyer, PhD, served as president of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in 2010.

Several IU School of Medicine faculty and former fellows serve in leadership capacities as members of the Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) to the FDA.

Several IU School of Medicine faculty and former fellows serve as editors of major oncology journals. Currently, Kathy Miller, MD is the Senior Deputy Editor for the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Academic/Research Experience

Within the program, each fellow is expected to engage in a mentored research project during their fellowship. Unique opportunities exist for fellow research, including the Komen Tissue Bank, Brown Center for Immunology, Walther Cancer Institute, Regenstreif Institute, BIG 10, Research Consortium, and the Hoosier Cancer Research Network, which is a community-based oncology group that provides an excellent opportunity for fellow led clinical trial design. Support is available for additional training in Masters of Public Health, Masters of Clinical Research, and Clinical Pharmacology.

Clinical Training

Each fellow has a continuity-of-care clinic throughout their three-year fellowship, where the fellow is autonomous to care for a cohort of patients under the direction of committed faculty. This includes a hematology or oncology clinic at the VA Medical Center or Eskenazi Health.

In addition, each fellow has rotating three-month sub-specialty clinics throughout their three years at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. Fellows have the unique opportunity to rotate at Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis center, focusing on benign hematologic conditions. While on the in-patient or consult services at IU Health, Eskenazi or the VA, the fellow plays a prominent role as the junior attending, supervised by a faculty member.

Former fellows have spread across the country at academic institutions and throughout the community to practice their skills.

Teaching and Mentorship

Formal conferences are considered to be a central part of the fellow’s education. These include weekly subspecialty multi-disciplinary conferences, educational lecture series, academic half-days, grand rounds, and monthly journal club. Mentorship is provided by both individualized faculty and a formal mentoring committee.

Conferences

Weekly Case Conference and Lecture Series
Weekly Lymphoma/Leukemia Fellows conference
Weekly Cancer Center Grand Rounds
Monthly Oncology Journal Club
Monthly Academic “Half-Day,” a unique learning experience with a Meet the Professor component
Annual ASCO Review Course
Landmark Trials Series and Board Review Materials

Education Series

Immersion week for first-year fellows, providing protected time to focus on learning core principles of hematology/oncology and concentrated orientation experience
Research Foundation Workshop, designed to educate fellows on the basic skills of protocol and grant writing. Fellows are encouraged to apply for funding via this educational series.

Global Oncology

Fellows have the opportunity to pursue structured clinical, educational, and research activities in global oncology through the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH). AMPATH is a long-standing collaboration between Moi University and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in western Kenya and North American institutions led by Indiana University School of Medicine. With the support of Dr. Patrick Loehrer, Distinguished Professor and the IUSCCC Director of the Center for Global Oncology and Health Equity, the building of a partnership in hematology and oncology began in 2005.

Group photo of individuals at AMPATH Oncology Institute The AMPATH Oncology Institute has now grown into one of the most respected and impactful global partnerships in existence, whose goals are to develop and strengthen an oncology workforce, advance global oncology research and provide comprehensive cancer care to patients in western Kenya.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Indiana University School of Medicine, the commitment to diversity includes race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, age, geography of origin and residence, sexual orientation, disability, work style and other aspects of human attributes and behaviors. The school offers focused, systematic and sustained programs that are aligned with the three foundational pillars: representational diversity, inclusive working and learning environment, and cultural competence.

Learn more

For more information about the program or information on how to apply, contact the fellowship coordinator.