In addition to a breadth of clinical experience, fellows at Washington University in St. Louis participate in multiple formal didactics specifically designed to bolster their education. 

Cancer Biology Pathway

This course is designed to present pre and post doctoral trainees with an organized educational format to explore major contemporary topics in cancer biology. The elective will provide an integrated view of cancer research including basic science, translational science and clinical investigation. Approximately 60 minutes will be devoted to a didactic presentation by a faculty member with interaction by the participants. The remaining 30 minutes will be used to discuss a pivotal research paper from this field, preselected by the faculty member. Outside reading will be required (30-60 minutes per week).

Cancer Management Series

To make sure first year fellows quickly learn the essentials, this introductory oncology core curriculum lecture series takes place from July to January.  It is designed specifically for first-year fellows, although all fellows attend.  Lectures are given by faculty members, experts in their field, who cover a  wide breadth of topics such as:  work-up, staging and treatment of the most common malignancies, management of oncologic emergencies, and basic chemotherapy pharmacology.

Introduction to Hematology

The first four months of each academic year include a series of lectures by hematology faculty with experts in their field discussing the most commonly seen hematological diagnosis, and core topics including their pathophysiology and management. These are specifically aimed at orientation and education for the incoming first year fellows and also ensure that didactics match the curriculum requirements for hematology boards.

Hematology Grand Rounds

Hematology Grand Rounds is a forum for faculty and fellows to foster collaboration and research, to facilitate the sharing of latest research advances with other clinicians caring for patients and to ensure that the translation of research findings to the clinical arena includes physician and patient education. Grand Rounds begin each year in September after completion of the introductory lecture series. Fellows and faculty members give 30- to 60-minute, case-based discussions and literature reviews on subjects of their choosing.

Oncology Grand Rounds

Oncology Grand Rounds represents an invaluable platform for our fellows to learn from faculty and guest lecturers who are thought-leaders in their fields sharing cutting edge clinical and translational research related to medical oncology, malignant hematology, bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapies. Fellows also give 30 to 60 minute presentations on topics that often include literature reviews, case-based discussions and their own basic and clinical research successes.

Hematology Case Conference

This is a fellow-led weekly conference for discussing challenging inpatient  and outpatient cases with a broad audience including transfusion medicine faculty. There is also collaboration with transfusion medicine and hematopathology depending on the cases being discussed.

Core Cases In Hematology/Oncology

Core Cases in Hematology/Oncology is a fellow-led case conference (every other Wednesday) to discuss fundamental hematologic and oncologic diseases.  With a faculty mentor, this multidisciplinary conferences reviews key radiographic and pathologic findings of interesting cases with an emphasis on cancer management. This conference alternates with monthly Fellows’ Journal Club to critically review seminal articles in hematology/oncology.

Clinical Trials Bootcamp

This series of lectures is designed to give fellows an introduction to all aspects of designing and implementing clinical trials including and preparing grant applications.

Topics covered include:

  • Statistics for clinical research and data visualization
  • PRMC & IRB Processes
  • Writing a Letter of Intent
  • Using databases for research
  • Grantsmanship
  • Mentorship & Developing a Career Plan
  • Scientific Writing and Publishing
  • Clinical Trials in 2020 and Beyond: Design Trials for Inclusivity
  • Introduction to EndNote                                                                           
  • Budgeting for Clinical Trials & Grants
  • NIH Biosketch, My Bibliography, and SciENcv
  • ICTS Resources for Fellows