Fellowship Training Program
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA

UCLA provides a unique environment for training of in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. The fellowship is designed to develop clinical expertise in the discipline and to prepare trainees for a career in academic pediatrics. The combination of extensive basic scientific resources with a well developed, mature, program of clinical investigation result in training opportunities, which lead trainees into productive academic careers. There are six fellows in the program or two fellows per year. The goals of our program are:

1. General:

a. To provide the pediatric community with academic pediatric hematologist/oncologists who will render high quality patient care, teach effectively, and advance the field through the performance of meaningful laboratory or clinical research. This requires a dedication to life-long learning, the desire to teach, and the possession of interpersonal and leadership skills to allow effective interactions with a diverse group of care givers, patients and families,

2. Development of Clinical Competence in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology:

a. Development of a knowledge base in the following areas:

1. Pathophysiology of hematologic and oncologic disorders.
2. Pharmacology and use of chemotherapeutic agents.
3. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
4. Diagnosis and management of infectious complications in immunocompromised host.
5. Blood banking and hemostasis.
6. Fundamental principles of radiation oncology.

b. Development of expertise in the performance of technical procedures relevant to hematology/oncology, including bone marrow aspiration/biopsy, lumbar puncture, administration of chemotherapeutic agents, skin biopsy, and stem cell harvest.

c. Development of a systematic, logical approach to clinical decision-making. The expert use of the broad databases of history, physical examination, and interpretation of laboratory data to establish a diagnosis. The inclusion of ethical, socioeconomic, and physiological considerations to develop a comprehensive treatment plan appropriate to the circumstances of a unique patient.

d. Development of a habit of self-examination that will enable the graduate to continue to improve his clinical practice and scholarship.

e. Development of an understanding of the evolving systems under which medical care is practiced so that the graduate will function effectively in a changing medical environment.

3. Development of Communication Skills Which Will Allow the Fellow to Become an Effective Teacher of Lay Persons, Students and Peers.

a. Development of empathetic clinicians who will be skilled in communicating with and counseling of families.
b. Development of life-long learners, leaders and teachers.
c. Development of skills to advocate for patients with blood diseases and cancer.
d. Prepare fellows to work effectively with a diverse patient population.
e. Prepare trainees to participate in Professional Societies.
f. Prepare fellows for a career as consultants who communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally with their peers

4. Development of Competence in Research Design and Implementation of a Research Project (Clinical or Basic):

a. Identification of specific and important questions.
b. Formulation of testable hypotheses.
c. Design of experiments and use of appropriate controls.
d. Data analysis and application of statistical principles.
e. Preparation of a manuscript reporting research results.
f. Preparation of Grant proposals.