Education

Core Curriculum

Malignant Hematology Board Review Conference

Monday 7:15-8:00 AM
This conference is led by faculty specialists in hematologic malignancies to review the history and current management of all the major hematologic malignancies including leukemia, lymphomas, and plasma cell dyscrasias. The fellows who are also assigned to the malignant hematology continuity clinic will also prepare and present an overview of one selected topic throughout the year.

Hematology/Hematopathology Conference

Wednesday 7:30-8:30 AM
This multidisciplinary conference is held with participation from the Hematology, Pathology, and Transfusion Medicine departments to discuss and review unique cases, interesting pathology including review of bone marrow and other biopsies, and new developments in the field. Both fellows and faculty present in this conference.

Morbidity, Mortality, and Improvement

Wednesday 7:30-8:30 AM, quarterly
This is a quarterly departmental Morbidity, Mortality, and Improvement conference that is led by the Hematology-Oncology Chief Fellows with Faculty Moderators in which to discuss pertinent clinical situations occurring at any of the three major training sites. The goals are to identify areas of improvement and transparency in delivering patient care. In addition to clinical knowledge, this conference provides an opportunity for education regarding quality improvement and medical ethics.

Solid Tumor Board Review

Thursday 7:30-8:30 AM
This is a fellow-focused series incorporating a systems-based review of solid tumor diseases including diagnosis and management with emphasis on board-related topics. Faculty who specialize in Breast, Lung, ENT, GI, GU, skin, gynecologic, and CNS tumors present these lectures and often integrate case discussions as well as practice questions.

Fellows Conference

Thursday 12:00-12:45 PM
Every Thursday, the fellows hold this conference in the Faculty Club at UTSW. Lunch is provided. Each Thursday the purpose of the conference rotates and includes a monthly Leadership meeting (in which the fellows are able to meet with the division chief and the program leadership to discuss any issues or goals for program change), fellow-led journal clubs, non-malignant hematology board review, and other topics related to physician resiliency and wellness.

Slide Conference

Friday 7:30-8:15 AM
This Friday morning conference is held only for fellows and one of the non-malignant hematology attendings in a relaxed, informal setting with breakfast provided. Fellows who are on service are able to bring peripheral blood smears to be reviewed on a projected microscope so that fellows are able to develop their skills in reading and interpreting peripheral blood smears, as well as in formulating differential diagnoses of hematologic diseases.

Other Educational Opportunities

Procedures

In addition to procedures that are performed while on inpatient services, fellows who are on a clinic rotation are also assigned to the Thursday morning procedure clinic at Parkland Hospital. During this clinic, fellows receive instruction and supervision in performing bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures with administration of intrathecal chemotherapy, as well as chemotherapy administration through an Ommaya reservoir.

First-year fellows participate in a simulation lab experience to learn how to do procedures including bone marrow biopsy/aspiration, chemotherapy via Lumbar Puncture, as well as chemotherapy via Ommaya reservoir. The simulation curriculum combines pre-reading including videos, a didactic lecture, as well as hands-on experience performing the various procedures at the UTSW Simulation Center, one of the largest educational simulation centers in the nation.

Professional Conferences

All fellows receive support to attend one professional meeting each year, including the annual meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) or American Society of Hematology (ASH). Professional membership in both organizations is provided as well.