Hematology Oncology Fellowship

The Hematology-Oncology Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate was established in 1990 as a combined program, before which we historically had standalone Hematology and Oncology Fellowships dating back to the 1970s. The fellowship is a three-year integrated program that meets all requirements for dual certification in both Hematology and Oncology. The program is accredited by the Residency Review Committee for Internal Medicine as providing excellence in subspecialty training.

Our fellowship program offers rigorous, comprehensive clinical training designed to cultivate the next generation of oncology leaders. Grounded in clinical excellence, multidisciplinary collaboration, and compassionate patient care, our program prepares fellows to thrive in both clinical and research-focused careers. We are incredibly proud to have successfully graduated several fellows who have practiced in varied settings, including academia, community, and private practice. Several have chosen to stay in the area over time, providing cancer care for the western Massachusetts community.

Our graduates have a high board pass rate in both Hematology and Oncology (100% in the last five years).

Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment and Training

At our D'Amour Center for Cancer Care, part of the Baystate Regional Cancer Program, you'll get extensive and diverse clinical training emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment.

Fellows will work closely with experienced oncologists and hematologists deeply embedded in the community, offering diverse clinical exposure across inpatient and outpatient settings. With a focus on continuity of care, fellows follow patients longitudinally, gaining valuable insight into the entire trajectory of cancer management - from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship care, and palliative care.

You will also work with and learn from a group of diverse faculty, including radiation oncologists, pathologists, complementary medicine providers, surgical oncologists, and researchers. You will also gain experience in cancer pharmacology, breast disease, cancer genetics, and geriatrics during your training.

Develop A Personal Education and Research Plan

Our program emphasizes personalized mentorship, cost-effective, evidence-based practice, and a strong commitment to holistic patient care. While our setting is community-based, our fellows benefit from the perks of academic medicine through the UMass Chan Medical School, which has a medical school track focused at Baystate Medical Center. They also have access to tumor boards and opportunities to participate in clinical research and quality improvement initiatives.

Fellowship training in the third year can be tailored to suit eventual career plans, allowing rotations to focus on research or clinical experience.

You will be able to develop your own research projects, participate in cooperative group clinical trials, and have opportunities for translational research at the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute.

In addition, Baystate Medical Center's membership in national cancer cooperative groups, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), can benefit you.

Program Culture

Our culture emphasizes collegiality, inclusion, and mentorship. We are deeply committed to the well-being and professional growth of our fellows, empowering them to be skilled clinicians and leaders in their communities.

Furthermore, for several years, we have remained a consultative service without the current responsibility of being the primary team for patients in the inpatient setting.

We recognize that fellowship training is both intensely rewarding and inherently demanding. That’s why fellow wellness is a cornerstone of our program. We foster a culture of respect, collegiality, and open communication, where fellows are valued not only as trainees but as individuals. Our program includes funds for wellness activities, access to mental health resources, mentorship focused on work-life balance, and a manageable call structure to support sustainable workloads. We try to foster an environment where our fellows feel supported, connected, and empowered to thrive — both personally and professionally.

Program-at-a-Glance

• The UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship Program is an integrated program that meets all requirements for dual certification in both Hematology and Oncology.
• The program is accredited by the Residency Review Committee for Internal Medicine as providing excellence in subspecialty training.
• Dual certification with high board pass rate in both Hematology and Oncology is accomplished over a three-year training period.
• Four weeks of BMT rotation is done at an outside institution, typically the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.