HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY FELLOWSHIP
MESSAGE FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Thank you for exploring the University of Colorado Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program, where our mission is to develop future world-leaders in academic cancer medicine by providing comprehensive education and training in clinical practice, laboratory research, and clinical, translational and basic science.
We aim to provide an excellent foundation in the clinical practice of medical oncology and hematology based upon a comprehensive understanding of hematological and oncologic principles and treatment techniques. Using their combined professional, technical, cognitive, and attitudinal skills we teach our fellows how to provide the highest quality of care for their patients.
Our fellowship fosters a multidisciplinary approach to cancer and blood-disease care with experienced specialists. Our faculty comes from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of interests including hematology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, pathology, radiation oncology, and radiology. While their interests may differ they all share a common passion for educating young hematologists and oncologists.
Throughout training, we introduce our fellows to collaborative clinical and research opportunities through interactions with our closely associated affiliates which include, University of Colorado Hospital, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Denver Health Medical Center.
Our fellows are inquisitive scientists, compassionate skilled physicians, and outstanding teachers. Our program offers the environment and educational resources to help each trainee reach their goals and thrive in their career path. As you explore our program, virtually tour our sites, and discover Denver, we hope you will become excited and inspired by the innovation and cutting edge research of our faculty and fellows.
Daniel Bowles, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Fellowship Program Director
CURRICULUM
The first year of fellowship is focused on intense clinical training in both hematology and oncology and is a largely inpatient-based experience on hematology and oncology consult services. Trainees divide their time in 3 month blocks at University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health, and the VA. The two blocks at UCH are divided into solid tumor oncology and benign and malignant hematology.
Fellows learn the science of the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic and oncologic diseases, the art of consultation, and the skills necessary to care for patients with these problems. This inpatient training is complemented by weekly outpatient continuity clinic and sub-specialty clinic experience.
Elective time during the first year allows for additional exposure to disease-specific sub-specialty clinics and the opportunity to work with leading faculty in areas of solid tumor oncology, hematologic malignancies, benign hematology, and radiation oncology.
Required clinical time in the second year includes one month each of benign hematology consults and medical oncology consults, and bone marrow transplant unit at UCH. Clinical research and laboratory-based research opportunities are plentiful and fellows are required to participate. Additionally, the second year of fellowship is comprised of training tailored to different tracks, selected by fellows based upon clinical and research interests.
Clinical Investigator Research Track
Recommended for those fellows anticipating a career in academic clinical research, and will allow fellows to team with a mentor to grow their clinical research skills.
Clinical Excellence and Quality Improvement Track
Designed for fellows interested in a career in clinical practice, and will focus on their clinical training.
Laboratory Based Research Track
Tailored to fellows desiring a laboratory based career and will focus on developing the skills needed for an independent lab career.
BMT Track
Designed for fellows interested in specializing in blood cancers.
Clinical Investigator Research Track
Recommended for those fellows anticipating a career in academic clinical research, and will allow fellows to team with a mentor to grow their clinical research skills.
Clinical Excellence and Quality Improvement Track
Designed for fellows interested in a career in clinical practice, and will focus on their clinical training.
Laboratory Based Research Track
Tailored to fellows desiring a laboratory based career and will focus on developing the skills needed for an independent lab career.
BMT Track
Designed for fellows interested in specializing in blood cancers.
Your third and final year of fellowship will be devoted to completion of the research training for those in the research tracks and to broadening the clinical experience for those in the clinical track.
Outpatient clinic experience during the first year involves a weekly general oncology and hematology clinic at the VA or Denver Health that allows the fellow continuity and autonomy with a panel of patients.
A second weekly clinic during the first year varies according to rotation site, with an additional general oncology and hematology clinic during the VA block, a breast cancer clinic during the Denver Health block, and sub-specialty clinic time selected according to interests and education goals during the two blocks at UCH.
Clinic experience during the remaining fellowship training years involves at least one weekly continuity clinic and additional sub-specialty clinics coordinated according to the fellow’s training track and area of interest.
A second weekly clinic during the first year varies according to rotation site, with an additional general oncology and hematology clinic during the VA block, a breast cancer clinic during the Denver Health block, and sub-specialty clinic time selected according to interests and education goals during the two blocks at UCH.
Clinic experience during the remaining fellowship training years involves at least one weekly continuity clinic and additional sub-specialty clinics coordinated according to the fellow’s training track and area of interest.
In addition to bedside teaching on inpatient services and in clinics, three hours per week are dedicated to educational conferences for fellows. Conferences include didactic presentations from experts on various hematology and oncology topics, as well as journal club, grand rounds, and morbidity and mortality discussions presented by the fellows. Discussions of interesting patient cases during this conference time provide an open format to explore challenging clinical issues with faculty and other fellows.
Since 2016 the Fellowship has offered one second year fellow the opportunity to earn a fully-funded Masters of Science in Clinical Sciences to enhance their research career, learn more here.
Fellows also take an annual retreat to Shrine Mountain Huts near Vail Pass. While on the retreat fellows will learn about palliative care medicine and end of life care/discussions as it pertains to oncology.
Due to COVID-19, all 2020 fellowship interviews will be conducted virtually.
Our program accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Please be sure to register for the 2020 Medical Specialties Matching Program in the Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) System. All applicants must complete the registration process.
Use the following identifiers to search for our program.
| Program Identifier | |
| ACGME ID | 1550721096 |
| NRMP ID | 1076155F0 |
| School | University of Colorado |
| Specialty | Hematology and Medical Oncology |
The Hematology/Oncology Fellowship selection criteria policy can be found here. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. For additional information please contact the program coordinator at 303-724-9238.
The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment. Click here for information on disability accommodations.
| Required Documents for All Applicants |
| Curricula Vitae |
| Personal Statement |
| USMLE or COMLEX Transcript |
| Three Letters of Recommendation (Not Including Program Director) |
| Program Director Letter of Recommendation |
| Medical School Transcript |
| Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) |
| Photograph (Optional) |
| Additional Documents for Foreign Medical School Applicants |
| Foreign Medical License |
| ECFMG Status Report |
Date | Activity |
| July 1, 2020 | ERAS opens for application submission |
| August 12, 2020 | Program may begin reviewing applications |
| August 31, 2020 | Application deadline for the 2021 academic year |
| September 11, 2020 | Virtual Interview Date |
| September 18, 2020 | Virtual Interview Date |
| September 25, 2020 | Virtual Interview Date |
| October 2, 2020 | Virtual Interview Date |
| October 16, 2020 | Virtual Interview Date |
| October 23, 2020 | Virtual Interview Date |
| December 2, 2020 | MATCH DAY |
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS
Developmental Therapeutics
The Developmental Therapeutics Program fosters cancer-focused inter-disciplinary research among basic scientists and clinical researchers who are focused on the discovery, development and delivery of new anti-cancer therapies. Our program faculty promote interaction and collaboration among Developmental Therapeutics members, which stimulates breakthroughs in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. This two year fellowship educates fellows to reduce the cancer burden through integration of the processes of discovery, development, and delivery of new anticancer agents.
Thoracic Oncology
Our two year Thoracic Oncology Felllowship aims to train oncology fellows in state‐of‐the‐art high quality care for patients with Thoracic Malignancies and in the conduct of clinical and translational research related to such patients. This program will expose fellows to patients with thoracic malignancies within a world‐class multidisciplinary clinical program. By regularly seeing and assessing these patients, they will learn state‐of‐the‐art clinical management and through involvement in the conduct of clinical and translational research, the methodology for developing new treatments in the future.