Hematologic Malignancies and BMT Program Offers New Fellowship Program

Members of the Hematologic Malignancies and Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the University of Cincinnati have always delivered individualized, evidence-based treatments to patients in addition to conducting cutting-edge research and innovative clinical trials that bring promising new therapies to patients and improve standards of care.

Now, the program is further expanding to offer a Bone Marrow Transplantation Fellowship Program, training well-rounded academic and clinically based bone marrow transplant clinicians.

"The Bone Marrow Transplantation Fellowship Program is a critical aspect of the Hematological Malignancies and Bone Marrow Transplant Program in the division of hematology oncology,” says Stephen Medlin, DO, director of the programs, member of the UC Cancer Institute and associate professor in the division of hematology oncology at the UC College of Medicine. "Fellows will play a vital role in a diverse clinical program and work with recognized experts in benign and malignant hematology and oncology. Faculty members will provide many and varied opportunities for the fellow to participate in laboratory, translational and clinical research, including phase I clinical trials, investigator- initiated trials and quality improvement initiatives.  

"Additionally, fellows will be required to participate in and present at a variety of educational conference and meetings at UC including the hematology pathology conference, hematology oncology grand rounds and more. Fellows with an interest in clinical research can participate and serve as co-investigators on clinical trials, initiate study ideas and write investigator-initiated protocols,” he continues, adding that collaboration with faculty members in other departments and at other institutions is encouraged and that fellows will also lead quality improvement activity.

The Hematological Malignancies and Bone Marrow Transplant Program has rapidly grown since its initiation in 2012 and received accreditation by the Foundation for Accreditation of Hematopoietic Cell Therapy (FACT) for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 2013. The program is preparing for allogeneic accreditation in 2015.

"Despite an increasing demand for transplants, there is a widely recognized shortage of physicians with expertise in this type of transplantation, and the program will help meet this need,” Medlin says. "We are very excited to offer this training at UC to grow the next generation of bone marrow transplant experts and strengthen our already robust program.”