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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Pediatrics

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is the program “fellow dependent” or “fellow independent”?

    • The fellowship program is fellow-forward, but fellow-independent. There is not always a fellow on service or on weekday or weekend call. If a fellow is out, their co-fellows are not required to cover their shift(s). Fellows are encouraged to pick up a broad array of primary patients, but all newly diagnosed oncology patients are not automatically assigned to a fellow.

  2. What support is provided for the pediatric board exam?

    • Fellows are preferentially scheduled for an elective or research block during the month of their pediatric board exam to facilitate extra time to study. Additionally, fellows are scheduled for an academic week the week prior to boards in which they are not scheduled for weekday or weekend call and have the option to cancel their continuity clinic. This academic week does not count as a vacation week (i.e. fellows still have 4 weeks of vacation in addition to this academic week).

  3. What time does a heme/onc service day typically start?

    • Monday-Friday, overnight call ends at 8:00 a.m., which is when the inpatient team takes over. Inpatient rounds start at 8:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. The three inpatient teams (hematology, leukemia/lymphoma, solid tumor/neuro-oncology) round sequentially. On weekends, inpatient rounds start at 8:00 a.m. Sign-out occurs at 4:30 p.m. daily.

  4. What time dose a bone marrow transplant service day typically start?

    • Sign-out from the overnight team occurs at 7:00 a.m. daily. Inpatient rounds typically start at 9:00 a.m.

  5. What is the average patient volume on the inpatient services?

    • The hematology, leukemia/lymphoma, and solid tumor/neuro-oncology teams each average approximately two to ten patients. The bone marrow transplant service averages four to eight patients.

  6. Is call from home or in-house?

    • Call is from home, and fellows are not required to come into the hospital overnight during their call shifts.

  7. How is holiday/vacation time structured?

    • First year fellows cover either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Second and third year fellows cover New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Each fellow covers one holiday annually. Fellows have four weeks of vacation time and five sick days per academic year. Vacation can be scheduled during non-inpatient blocks.

  8. Are there moonlighting opportunities?

    • Second and third year fellows who are in good academic standing have the option to work two “extra shifts for pay” per month, up to a maximum of 20 extra shifts per academic year. Extra shift opportunities include daytime or nighttime coverage for the inpatient advanced practice provider (APP) team. During the day, this includes covering oncology patients on the APP team. At night, this includes covering oncology patients on the APP team, as well as covering the bone marrow transplant patients.

  9. How much CME funding is allotted?

    • Fellows receive $1,500 per academic year. Additionally, the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology will cover the registration cost of one conference per academic year at which a fellow is presenting.

  10. What is parking like at the hospital?

    • Fellows are provided a free parking pass for an open (uncovered) parking lot approximately two blocks from Riley Hospital for Children. Fellows can opt to add their name to a waiting list for any of the parking garages on the hospital campus. If a fellow is selected for a parking garage pass, the fellow pays for the cost of the garage pass upfront and can be reimbursed the cost of the parking lot pass.

  11. Do fellows get a food stipend at the hospital?

    • Pediatric fellows are provided a gold card, which can be used to purchase food within the hospital. The amount of money on the gold card varies per pediatric fellowship and is based on the average number of in-house work hours. In general, pediatric hematology/oncology fellows are provided $80-120 per month.

  12. Where do fellows tend to live in Indianapolis and what do they do in their free time?

    • Our fellows have lived in downtown Indianapolis, Broad Ripple, Nora (between Broad Ripple and Carmel), and Noblesville. View the Life In Indy map to learn more.

  13. Are fourth year or additional learning opportunities available?

    • A fourth year program in stem cell transplant is available. Some fellows have chosen to complete additional training concurrent with their three year pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship, including Master’s programs and clinical ethics fellowship. Combined or additional fellowships have also been pursued, such as informatics and critical care.

  14. What health benefits does Indiana University School of Medicine offer?

  15. Does IU School of Medicine have a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion?

    • IU School of Medicine is committed to being an institution that reflects the diversity of the learners we teach and the patient populations we serve, as well as practicing the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice that inform academic excellence. Learn more from the Department of Pediatrics, the Office of GME and the Center for Inclusive Excellence.