Pediatric hematology and oncology fellowship
The Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is a component of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine, one of the oldest medical schools in the country, and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI-designated cancer center.
The fellowship program trains fellows for a career in academic pediatric hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplantation. It is a three-year program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, with a 4th year Research Fellowship available to select applicants.
Population served:
- New childhood cancer cases: 75-85
- Sickle cell disease patients: 500
- Hemostasis and thrombosis: 100
- Childhood blood and marrow transplant cases: 15-20
- Outpatient visits: 5,000-6,000/year
Program opportunities
Clinical training
During the first year, comprehensive patient care is established through intensive hands-on patient-focused, well-mentored training. In addition, fellows supervise and teach pediatric residents and medical students on the inpatient wards and in clinic. The fellows are assigned as the primary physician to a number of newly diagnosed patients whom they will continue to follow throughout the three years of their fellowship. Under the supervision of the faculty, fellows care for patients with a variety of hematological and oncological disorders: hemoglobinopathies, thrombosis, coagulopathies, bone marrow failure syndromes, and all malignancies including, acute and chronic leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma and other solid tumors, brain tumors, rare pediatric malignancies, autoimmune, lymphoproliferative and histiocytic disorders. The division actively participates in Children’s Oncology Group clinical trials, the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium, and federally-funded comprehensive bleeding disorders program. In our stem cell transplantation program, fellows care for patients who undergo allogeneic (related, unrelated donor, umbilical cord blood, and haploidentical) or autologous transplants — both single and sequential (tandem) transplants. In addition to general hematology and oncology within the division, there are multi-disciplinary programs in:
- Sickle cell disease and related hemoglobinopathies
- Hemophilia and inherited coagulation disorders
- Cancer survivorship
- Stem cell transplant
- Neuro-oncology
- Neurofibromatosis
- Vascular malformations
- Solid tumor
Our holistic approach to pediatric care combines integrated efforts of all pediatric professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, social workers, child life specialists, psychologists, chaplains and teachers.
First year rotations
First year
- Inpatient wards
- Stem cell transplantation
- Outpatient
- Transfusion medicine
- Hematopathology, cytogenetics, molecular diagnostics and cancer genomics
- Radiation oncology
- Palliative care
- Neuro-oncology
- Administrative/Research
Non-clinical curriculum
Our well-designed curriculum includes monthly tumor board, hematology board, journal club, standard of practice meetings, and faculty lecture series. There are weekly board review sessions and division rounds. All fellows complete a core lecture series of the GME and the Department of Pediatrics. Fellows are encouraged to attend one national scientific meeting each year (funding available through a personal expense account) and additional scientific meetings when they will present. They are also expected to complete a quality improvement project during their training.
Research training
In the first year of fellowship, each fellow is assigned a mentor from the faculty to aid in career development. Faculty mentors meet with fellows on a regular basis to provide support and guidance during fellowship and beyond. In addition, during the first year the fellow has two weeks of administrative/research time in which they will have the opportunity to explore the labs and other potential projects for the coming years. During the second and third years of fellowship, each fellow conducts research under the mentorship of a faculty preceptor from VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (NIH-designated cancer center that includes 141 active labs) or other VCU faculty. Once the research project is determined, the fellow will have an additional mentor within the lab or school that they attend. Both mentors in addition to a faculty physician outside of the PHO field will be members of the Scholarship Oversight Committee (SOC) and will meet periodically to assess career development and progress of the fellow. In addition to laboratory based research, VCU offers additional training with master’s tracks in clinical and translational research, public health, hospital administration and education. Degrees can be obtained in 2 years and with tuition waived. Clinical and laboratory research in the Division is being supported by grants from the NIH, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Department of Defense, Shwachman-Diamond Foundation, St Baldrick’s Foundation, and Children’s Oncology Group.
Fourth year research fellowship
Applications from individuals will be accepted for an additional one-year research fellowship with the intent to obtain a PhD encouraged. The successful applicant will be on track to have finished a three-year accredited GME program in pediatric hematology and oncology, demonstrated a record of accomplishment as a trainee as evidenced by presentation at a national meeting or publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and articulated a research focus. Laboratory-based or clinical trial research will be at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. The goal of this research fellowship is to train the next generation of pediatric hematology and oncology physician-scientists by enhancing the career development of promising individuals with resources, protected time, and mentorship. This additional support will enhance the individual’s ability to secure NIH K training award and academic appointment as assistant professor.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and participates in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP).
Contact the hematology and oncology fellowship team
Fellowship program director Marieka Helou, M.D., M.P.H. Division of Pediatric Hematology,
Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation
M3 Pediatric Clerkship
Co-Director, Department of Pediatrics
Children's Hospital of Richmond
1000 East Broad Street
Box 980121
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0121
Email: marieka.helou@vcuhealth.org
Division fellowship coordinator Lisa Wawrzyniak Administrative Assistant
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Children's Hospital of Richmond
1000 East Broad St.
Box 980121
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Fax: (804) 628-5848
Email: Lisa.Wawrzyniak@vcuhealth.org
Current fellows
Abdulla Al-Mulla, MD1st year
Med school: Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System - Pediatrics
Lylie Hinh, DO1st year
Med school: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Carilion Clinic-Virginia Tech - Pediatrics
Nicole Pietras, DO, MPH2nd year
Med school: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: HCA Florida Healthcare/Palms West Hospital Program - Pediatrics
Katharine Hastings, MD3rd year
Med school: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System - Pediatrics
