In the UF Heme/Onc Fellowship program, we believe it takes all types to tackle the problems that are faced by our patients with cancer. From the bench to the bedside – we are committed to training future Heme/Onc physicians with a spirit of inquiry, collaboration and moral courage across the career continuum.
In order to provide individualized career development consistent with the diversity of opportunities in our Program and upon graduation, each fellow will develop a personalized career development plan inclusive of a scholarly project to be completed during their F-2 and F-3 year of fellowship. All fellows will spend the majority of their first year (F-1) developing a foundation of knowledge and clinical skills through the core curriculum rotations . These include exposure to general oncology, benign hematology, and bone marrow transplantation. Upon successful completion of the first year requirements needed for matriculation to the second year, each fellow formally embarks upon their individualized career development plan.
During the first six months of the F-1 year, fellows will participate in faculty-led discussions on career development in Heme/Onc to include a Career Development Retreat held in the fall. F-1 fellows will meet monthly with program leadership to allow for time for more in depth discussion and coaching related to career path. Fellows will be expected to reflect on their own personal goals for career development and will discuss these with program leadership at the first semiannual meeting in December of first year. Following that meeting, fellows will identify a key faculty mentor and will formalize their Career Development Proposal (CDP). This CDP will be submitted to program leadership no later than April of the F-1 year.
Review and feedback will be provided with time to modify the plan (if needed) prior to June of F-1. With this approach, training is highly individualized to offer the most comprehensive and appropriate for each trainee, consistent with personal career goals. Second and third-year core curriculum rotations (F-2/3 CCRs) are distinctly different from the F-1 CCRs, emphasizing more autonomy, clinical decision making, and breadth of exposure. The resources provided to each fellow are equitable, with mentorship experience and milestone monitoring to assure that each trainee meets the challenge of personalized career development with success. The primary objective is to provide each fellow with unique opportunities and tools to be prepared for the career destination and specialization of their choosing. As such, each fellow is expected to actively participate in the discovery, dissemination, and/or delivery of scientific advancements related to Hematology and Medical Oncology.
Numerous resources at the division, department and institutional level are available for fellows to gain necessary skills that align with diverse career goals within hematology/oncology. Discussion with program leadership and core faculty will help fellows to identify the best resources for them to utilize in order to meet the goals outlined in their career development plan. It is expected that all fellows, regardless of career goals, complete the following minimum core scholarship requirements in line with the spirit of inquiry and scientific advancement central to hematology/oncology: