Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program

Our fellowship program has received full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is affiliated with Emory University School of Medicine, which is ranked among the top research medical schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

There is funding for five new fellows each year to be fully supported throughout the three-year program. Additional years of research training, including application for the Masters of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) program, are available for highly qualified candidates.

The Aflac Cancer Center receives funding for its fellowship program from the St. Baldrick's Foundation and CURE Childhood Cancer. These organizations encourage promising new medical professionals to pursue pediatric cancer research as a specialty.

Learn more about St. Baldrick's Foundation

Learn more about CURE Childhood Cancer

First-year fellows spend the majority of their time in clinical rotations. Second- and third-year fellows primarily spend their time in various research and educational activities. Each fellow maintains a continuity clinic one day a week for the entire three years. The Aflac Cancer Center also guarantees a fourth year of fellowship to continue to hone research skills.

Below, is a snapshot of our fellowship program:

Clinical rotations—first year

• Inpatient hematology/oncology (three months)
• Blood and marrow transplant—inpatient/outpatient (two months)
• Clinic/consult (two months)
• Outpatient hematology (two months)
• Neuro-oncology—inpatient/outpatient (one month)
• Laboratory rotation: radiation oncology, hematopathology, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, blood banking and special coagulation (one month total, divided into two-week blocks)
• Research exploration (one month total, divided into two-week blocks)

Research—second/third year

Second- and third-year fellows are offered a variety of opportunities in clinical, translational and basic research. These opportunities are available at the Aflac Cancer Center and within specific divisions of the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics.

We are devoted to training physician-scientists seeking careers in laboratory-based academic pediatric hematology/oncology. Research opportunities are performed in collaboration with faculty at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, the Emory School of Public Health, the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In additional to the laboratory-based research track, we offer a clinical research track for fellows interested in careers as clinical investigators. Formal training in clinical research can be obtained through early involvement in several ongoing clinical trials within the institution. Fellows interested in clinical research are encouraged to apply for Emory's Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) program. We are in a unique position to offer special resources for laboratory and clinical training, such as the MSCR program, for the entire fellowship period and for extended periods of research time, if required.

We have an individualized scholarship oversight/mentoring committee to guide fellows through their fellowship research experience.

Research—optional fourth year

An additional year of training is strongly encouraged, and is available with funding to all fellows. The typical fourth year is approximately 90 percent devoted to expanding on a fellow’s research and allows the fellow to increase competitiveness in garnering future K-type grants or other grants for young investigators. Approximately 10 percent of time is allotted for clinical exposure in the fellow’s area of interest as instructor-level faculty. Separate subspecialty fourth year fellowships are also available in bone marrow transplantation, neuro-oncology and transfusion medicine.

On-call schedule

Night call takes place from home. Fellows occasionally return to the hospital to evaluate extremely ill or newly diagnosed patients.

• First year: 53 weekday nights and 12 weekends (one/month)
• Second year: 46 weekday nights and 8 weekends
• Third year: 4 weekday nights and 6 weekends

Didactic schedule

A variety of educational meetings are offered in addition to structured teaching, ethics and research overview courses throughout the year.

Additional benefits of the program

Fellows receive three weeks of vacation per year. Each fellow has an educational stipend, which may be used for meetings, journals or other educational expenses. Senior fellows attend additional scientific meetings, based upon research presentations.

In order to be considered for our fellowship program, applicants must have completed an accredited three-year pediatric residency in North America by the beginning of the program.

To apply
We use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to process all fellowship applications.

How to apply:

• Visit the ERAS website
• Select "MyERAS"
• Note your Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) ID and self-created password for future access

Contact Angie Dill with questions

Application requirements checklist
Applicants must submit:

1. Curriculum vitae (including academic honors, membership in organizations, research experience and extracurricular activities)
2. Three letters of recommendation
   1. Faculty member from Division of Hematology/Oncology
   2. Faculty resident advisor or residency program director
   3. A professional of your choosing (if significant research involvement, letter from research mentor)
3. Copy of dean’s letter and evaluation
4. Medical school transcript
5. Personal statement (including a description of previous research and clinical experience, reason for interest in a career in pediatric hematology/oncology, and your career goals for the next five years)
6. Copies of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, Step 1 and Step 2 only
7. Immigration visa copy (if applicable)
8. Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate (if applicable)
9. Passport style photograph

Application timeline and selection procedure

First year fellows

Holly Edington, MD
College: University of North Carolina
Medical school: University of Toledo
Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical School and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters

Diana Fridlyand, MD
College: Emory University
Medical school: Medical College of Georgia
Residency: Children’s Hospital of Georgia and Medical College of Georgia

Julie Gilbert, MD
College: Yeshiva University
Medical school: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Residency: Montefiore Medical Center

Juhi Jain, MD
College: University of Washington Seattle
Medical school: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Residency: Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital

Pratik “Tik” Patel, MD
College: University of Virginia
Medical school: University of Virginia
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Dallas

Second year fellows

Megan Brown, MD
College: Michigan State University
Medical school: Michigan State University
Residency: Children’s Hospital Colorado

Christina Caruso, MD
College: Boston College
Medical school: Creighton University
Residency: North Shore-Long Island

Amanda MacGregor Harrington, MD
College: University of Georgia
Medical school: Medical College of Georgia
Residency: Tufts Medical Center

Rafi Kazi, MD
College: Harvard University
Medical school: University of Arkansas
Residency: University of Rochester

Anthony Ross, MD
College: Duquesne University
Medical school: University of Pittsburgh
Residency: Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Third year fellows

Ashley Eason, MD
College: University of Georgia
Medical school: Mercer University
Residency: University of Virginia

Dan Runco, MD
College: Creighton University
Medical school: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Residency: Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health

Jenny Shim, MD
College: Siena College
Medical school: Albany Medical College
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Dallas Medical Center

Sherri Smart, MD, PhD
College: University of Central Arkansas
Medical school: University of Arkansas
Residency: University of Cincinnati

Michael White, MD
College: Harding University
Medical school: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Residency: Vanderbilt University

See a full list of past fellows

“I think the biggest strength of the program is the large hematology and oncology populations we have access to here. The research opportunities are outstanding and the faculty is very friendly and welcoming.” – Jonathan Metts, MD, Class of 2015

“I chose Emory because I know that this program is well rounded and provides excellent exposure to a wide variety of both hematological and oncological problems. I love the city and am looking forward to a wonderful experience.” – Sarah Tehseen, MD, Class of 2016

“I chose to train at Emory because of my interest in sickle cell disease; we serve one of the largest sickle cell populations in the country. I am an Atlanta native and was happy to have the opportunity to come back home.” – Margo Rollins, MD, Class of 2015

“I chose Emory for fellowship for a variety of reasons. The clinical exposure to the full breadth of hematologic and oncologic conditions is unmatched, and there are limitless opportunities for research and academic pursuits regardless of your field of interest. Additionally, the program leadership truly values and prioritizes fellow development and education, and the entire department is collegial and supportive with a strong focus on providing the highest quality care to our patients.” – Megan Brown, MD, Class of 2020

“It is important to me that I train at a large academic institution that is equally dedicated to and strong in both Hematology and Oncology, and I have definitely found that at Emory!” – Christina Caruso, MD, Class of 2020

“I chose Emory because I knew it was one of the best programs in the country and would offer me a wealth of learning opportunities. Equally as important, I chose Emory because of the people who work here. I felt like this would be a place that I could thrive surrounded by people who love what they do and are always striving to provide excellent patient care. Between high patient volume, a structured learning environment with commitment to fellow education, and a supportive faculty with leading experts in the field, I knew this was the right program for me.” – Amanda (MacGregor) Harrington, MD, Class of 2020

“I was excited by the broad clinical opportunities and the strong research program. Also, everyone was very nice!” – Rafi Kazi, MD, Class of 2020

“I chose the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for its well-rounded Hematology and Oncology training, as well as, its dedication to both excellent patient care and cutting edge research.” – Anthony Ross, MD, Class of 2020