Charleston Area Medical Center/CAMC Institute for Academic Medicine Program

The Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) offers a comprehensive three-year combined Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship training program recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and administered by the Department of Internal Medicine. Candidates are required to complete a three-year residency in Internal Medicine from an ACGME-accredited institution prior to commencing the fellowship.

The CAMC Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship is designed with the mission to cultivate outstanding subspecialists who will excel in both clinical and academic settings. Through a structured curriculum, fellows will engage in direct patient care, attend conferences, and receive guidance from experienced faculty in hematology and oncology. The patient demographic at CAMC is diverse, exposing fellows to a broad spectrum of cancer diagnoses.

Curriculum Structure

Fellowship training encompasses both hematology and medical oncology disciplines, allowing fellows to function proficiently as clinical consultants, practicing high-quality patient care across inpatient and outpatient settings. The program seeks to instill six core competencies which include:

• Patient care and procedural skills
• Medical knowledge
• Practice-based learning and improvement
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Professionalism
• System-based practice

These competencies are developed through clinical experiences under the mentorship of qualified faculty, tailored didactics, and exposure to clinical research.

Didactic Learning

The program fosters a dynamic learning environment with a rich series of didactic sessions, such as:
– Core Curriculum Conference series
– Clinical Case Conferences
– Journal Club
– Morbidity and Mortality Conferences
– Quality Improvement Conferences
– Research Conferences
– Tumor Boards

Fellows are introduced to key topics including gastrointestinal, gynecological, and thoracic cancers, pharmacology, clinical trials, benign hematology, and hematologic malignancies. Competence in specialty-specific procedures is evaluated through simulation and direct supervision.

Research Opportunities

Research plays a pivotal role in the fellowship, with annual Research Day events that encourage participation from residents and fellows. Opportunities for engaging in research projects allow for practical application of learned skills and knowledge, enhancing overall educational experience.

Rotation Schedule

The rotation schedule includes a combination of inpatient consults, outpatient clinics, and specialty-specific rotations, broken down as follows:

• 12 blocks of Inpatient/Consults
• 18 blocks of outpatient clinics and research
• 1 block of bone marrow transplant at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• 1 block of Palliative care
• 1 block of Hematopathology
• 1 block of bank/transfusion medicine
• 1 block of Radiation Oncology
• 1 block of Gynecology-Oncology
• Three blocks of vacation

Fellows also partake in weekly continuity clinics to build and maintain clinical skills.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

The CAMC fellowship program recognizes the J-1 exchange visitor visa as the primary visa type for international medical graduates seeking to enter the program. Applicants must provide ECFMG certification prior to the deadline for rank lists. Additional application materials include a complete ERAS application, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and score reports from USMLE or COMLEX exams.

Competitive applicants typically exhibit strong academic performance; however, the program is open to both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates, making it relatively friendly towards D.O. and IMG candidates.

Living in Charleston

Charleston, WV, provides an engaging backdrop for fellowship training, combining metropolitan culture with outdoor recreation opportunities. The city is known for its unique charm, a vibrant food scene, and a range of activities that foster a balanced lifestyle for residents and fellows alike.

Compensation and Benefits

CAMC offers competitive salaries and a robust benefits package for fellows, reflecting the institution’s commitment to the well-being of its trainees. This encompasses health benefits and additional support for both personal and professional development.