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Fellowship Directors' Message

Sunandana Chandra, MD, MS and Jonathan Moreira, MD

Our main objective at Northwestern is to provide and to foster a supportive, and yet challenging, fellowship training program, in which fellows can learn hematology oncology and thrive professionally and personally. ”

Sunandana Chandra, MD, MS and Jonathan Moreira, MD, Fellowship Directors

Thank you for your interest in the Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship program at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University.

The overarching goal of our program is to train competent, caring, skilled physicians specializing in the field of Hematology Oncology. Our program provides in-depth exposures to all areas of hematology/oncology with outstanding fellowship-trained faculty in all subspecialty areas. We strive to create a supportive environment in which professionalism, ethical principles, and teamwork is a focus of training. We aim to provide a training environment in which fellows feel supported as they learn hematology oncology. In addition to the common curricular elements required of all fellows, fellows can choose to work in a basic science laboratory, develop skills in clinical and translational research, develop teaching skills required to be a physician educator, or train in quality improvements methods. Other opportunities are also available based on interests, as we realize the field is evolving and incorporating more diverse research activities.

The fellowship program at Northwestern is integrated between the Northwestern Memorial Hospital/Prentice Women’s Hospital on the Feinberg School of Medicine’s Chicago Campus, the Jesse Brown VA Hospital, as well as the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Each site provides a unique experience - with different patient populations and a diverse exposure to different, and often rare, oncologic diagnoses.  Our outpatient clinical cancer center in Northwestern Medicine’s Galter Pavilion offers leading-edge medical, surgical, and radiation oncology treatment options, as well as access to cutting-edge specialized research, clinical trials, and diagnostic services. During the training years, fellows have the opportunity for greater responsibility and autonomy as their level of competence, clinical skills, and knowledge increase.

We recognize the importance of self-care needs of health professionals, and during these current stressful times, your health and well-being are a major focus of both of us, the faculty, and McGaw. 

From the first year of your fellowship program, we will foster an environment so that you are able to identify faculty mentor(s) who will meet with you regularly to evaluate your experience and well-being. In addition, we the Program Director and Associate Program Director of the Fellowship program meet one-on-one with our fellows on a semi-annual basis, and have monthly fellows' meetings for their feedback, as well as a check-in on their well-being. 

Finally, and most importantly, Northwestern University and the Department of Medicine are committed to building a diverse faculty, workforce, trainee, and student community.

We strive to create an environment of inclusions for all, and trainees participate in several awareness and educational programs throughout the academic year.

At Northwestern, we offer a unique fellowship training program, an individualized curriculum, and a friendly and supportive environment in which fellows can learn and thrive. 

 

Sunandana Chandra, MD, MS, Fellowship Director

Jonathan Moreira, MD, Associate Fellowship Director