Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program

As a program that ranks in the top half of pediatric cancer centers in the number of new cancer cases treated each year, we offer pediatric hematology-oncology fellows a robust and varied clinical experience with exposure to patients with virtually every form of childhood cancer and blood disorder.

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What They‘re Saying…

“The autonomy with guidance that is provided by the attendings allowed me to develop management plans and build strong relationships with my patients and their families. The support team of APPs, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, nurse clinicians (and many more) are also very invested in the education of the fellows, and this team really does make the sometimes long hours more enjoyable as we are finding our way through fellowship.”

— Matthew Henderson, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

“With regards to research, I walked into the department’s basic science laboratory without any previous experience and was given the opportunity to work on osteosarcoma research culminating in a publishable work product. At the end of the three years, I gained the well-rounded experience that potential employers are looking for in a Hem-Onc specialist, and this program was instrumental in helping me attain the job that I worked toward after a decade of training.”

— Matthew Henderson, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

“While there is nothing that can prepare you for a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship, the program at Akron Children’s does a fantastic job preparing their fellows to become confident, knowledgeable, and proficient attendings. Given that there is only one fellow per year, we have the opportunity to manage a wide variety of pathologies, and there is a good balance of hematology, oncology, and transplant exposure.”

— Matthew Henderson, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

“As a current fellow and having recently completed my primary clinical year, I can say that I received extensive exposure, autonomy and supportive mentorship during my first year. I was the primary physician to care for each of my patients. I was given every opportunity to succeed and develop my practice management style. I have now started working on my own prospective clinical trial with interhospital collaboration supporting my research interests. I expect to reach the end of fellowship with strong clinical and research experience to begin as a confident pediatric hematologist/oncologist.”

— Nicholas Farris, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

The goal of our 3-year, ACGME-accredited program is to provide you with an educational experience in clinical and research aspects of pediatric hematology-oncology and build on the general competencies you achieved in your pediatric residency. We are a member of Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s largest childhood cancer research collaborative. We are verified as a Pediatric Teaching Hospital Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. We are also recognized as one of the best among children's hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Our care team includes pediatric hematology-oncology physicians, advanced practice providers, social workers, psychologist, pharmacists, case manager, physical therapists, dietitians, child life specialist, chaplain, school liaison, school teacher, and multiple volunteers. View the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders page on our website.

Our fellow helps provide care to one of the largest Hemophilia B populations in the world, and will participate in monthly multidisciplinary clinics, including hemophilia, neurofibromatosis, survivorship, sickle cell disease and brain tumors.

You must meet the following criteria to apply for our pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship program:

Completed ERAS application
MD or DO degree
Passed all 3 steps of USMLE/COMLEX
Board certified/eligible in general pediatrics
Ohio medical license and DEA number
U.S. citizenship or J-1 Visa
3 letters of recommendation
Letter of recommendation from current program director

How to Apply

Our fellowship program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). You must register for this fellowship by creating an account with NRMP. Contact the NRMP at nrmp@aamc.org or 202-828-0676 with questions.

Selected applicants will travel to Akron, Ohio, for interviews. We provide a $200 travel stipend upon request, as well as a complimentary 1-night stay through our contracted hotel.

For more information, contact:

Stephanie Savelli, MD
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Director
Akron Children's
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
ssavelli@akronchildrens.org

Michelle Burgner
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Coordinator
Akron Children's
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
mburgner@akronchildrens.org

We accept one graduate of an accredited pediatric residency training program each year. Our program's 36-month curriculum and clinical rotation schedule are directed by faculty with expertise in the selected topics.

Year 1

First Year Clinical Rotation Schedule

4 weeks	Outpatient clinic
25 weeks	Inpatient service
2 weeks	Hematopathology
2 weeks	Radiation Oncology
4 weeks	Neuro-Oncology
4 weeks	Bone marrow transplant at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (8%)
2 weeks	Blood bank coagulation (4%)
2 weeks	Research exploration - Akron Children's/Kent State University/NEOMED (4%)
3 weeks	Vacation

During the first year of subspecialty training, we focus on clinical and basic science knowledge and pediatric hematology-oncology skills. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, you'll have the opportunity to acquire communication skills, teaching experience, self-learning practices, and teamwork/team-building skills.

One month of the first year will be allocated for transplant education at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to expose you to a higher volume of transplant patients. You will spend 2 weeks in Akron Children’s hematopathology lab and blood bank. This will allow you to gain an understanding of various radiation techniques as well as in the rationale, performance and interpretation of all aspects of hematology-oncology laboratory and transfusion medicine.

In addition to strong clinical training, you'll also receive instruction in effective teaching, specifically covering:

Information delivery in clinical settings and classrooms
Provision of feedback to learners
Assessment of educational outcomes
Development of teaching materials

Year 2

Second Year Clinical Rotation Schedule

40 weeks	Research
4 weeks	Inpatient Service
3 weeks	Biostatistical and Epidemiology online course
2 weeks	Palliative Care

The second and third years are primarily dedicated to research. You will select a project, identify a mentor and become established in a laboratory or begin the design of a clinical or translational research project.

Year 3

Third Year Clinical Rotation Schedule

8 weeks	Inpatient service
41 weeks	Research at chosen site
3 weeks	Vacation

The third year also consists of research as well as time on the inpatient hematology-oncology service. You will focus on completing a research project with the goal of a first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal. You will also be expected to function at an attending level with minimal (but always available) direction from the hematology-oncology faculty.

You will participate in regular didactics, such as weekly interdisciplinary oncology conferences. Bi-monthly lectures cover the core topics for board certification and are presented in an 18-month cycle. Monthly didactics include an interdisciplinary hematology conference, Reflective Practice and Leadership, and monthly board review sessions. Divisional journal club is held every other month.

*Fellowship Stipends 2024-25

PL-4 – $71,443

PL-5 – $72,871

PL-6 -- $74,329

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Stipends

PL-1 – $63,384

PL-2 – $64,652

Optometry Fellowship Stipend

PL-1 - $63,384

Vacation

House officers are granted 3 weeks of vacation or 15 customary working days.

Conference Time

Fellows are entitled to 5 days of conference time each year for medical conventions and courses outside the hospital.

Educational Allowance

Fellows are provided $1,500 annually for use toward medical-related journals or books, conferences, and license renewals.

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*This information may differ by fellowship. Please check with the director for specifics.

Research and Scholarship Travel

We encourage and support investigator-initiated research by subspecialty fellows. Therefore, we support research-related travel when the fellow is in good academic and professional standing, and when prior written approval of the program director is documented. Fellows can apply for the Considine Scientific Dissemination Award, which supports scholarly activity by offsetting the costs associated with the presentation and publication of scientific work by trainees. All hospital policies relating to travel must be followed.

Professional Liability

Professional liability insurance is provided by the hospital.

Health Benefits

Fellows and their dependents are eligible to enroll in the hospital’s health, dental, and vision insurance programs. Costs are shared between the fellow and the hospital. Benefits are available immediately.

Retirement Benefits

Fellows may participate in the Hospital’s 403(b) Plan from their date of hire. Match dollars are not available to fellows.

Medical License & DEA

Fellows are required to obtain an Ohio State Medical License and DEA certificate prior to beginning training.

Parking

A key access card for convenient parking is provided at no charge.

Lab Coats

One embroidered lab coat is provided if desired.

Meals

Fellows are given $60 every week for use in the hospital cafeteria.

Relocation expenses

The hospital provides reimbursement for initial relocation expenses, up to $1,000, subject to current tax laws.

Smoke, Electronic Cigarette and Tobacco-Free Campus

Akron Children’s is a tobacco-free healthcare system. Prospective employees who test positive for nicotine will have their offer of employment rescinded and will not be permitted to start work.

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program

What They‘re Saying…

You must meet the following criteria to apply for our pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship program:

How to Apply

For more information, contact: