Neuro-Oncology Fellowship

Fellowship at Henry Ford

The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Hospital is the premier Brain Tumor Program in Michigan with advances in novel surgical, radiation, chemotherapy, biologic, and immune therapy approaches for primary brain tumors, metastatic brain tumors and neurologic complications of systemic cancer. The fellowship was established in 1999-2000 by the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center.

Our brain tumor clinic integrates comprehensive brain tumor care and a very active clinical trials program, providing patients access to innovative clinical trials. Fellows actively participate in our multi-disciplinary brain tumor board that meets on weekly basis so that true multidisciplinary patient care results from the input of specialists in radiation oncology, medical oncology, neuro-pathology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery and neuro-oncology.

The fellowship takes place at the Henry Ford Hospital in Midtown Detroit as well as outpatient clinics in our Henry Ford West-Bloomfield Hospital. The fellowship is a UCNS-accredited program in neuro-oncology with outstanding clinical training as well as opportunities for cutting-edge clinical, basic and translational research. Over two years fellows will be prepared for sub-specialty UCNS board certification in neuro-oncology.

First year

Fellows will gain knowledge and experience:

• Participation in our brain tumor clinic and neuro-oncology consult service with exposure to primary brain tumors, metastatic tumors and CNS complication of systemic cancer.
• Participation in our weekly multidisciplinary brain tumor board
• Rotations with medical oncology, radiation oncology
• Weekly didactic neuro-oncology conferences
• Scientific development curriculum
• Participation in our clinical trials program

Research projects second year

• Brain Tumor continuity clinic and neuro-oncology consult service
• Opportunities to rotate with palliative care, neuro-pathology
• Focus on clinical, translational or basic research

Didactic training

Fellows participate in weekly neuro-oncology conferences and one-on-one sessions to review different aspects of neuro-oncology practice and the underlying scientific principles. In addition, fellows have the opportunity to join monthly journal clubs, didactic courses and one-on-one mentoring to foster their academic development.

Research training

The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center is a national leader for the conduct of clinical trials involving the use of innovative treatment strategies and novel therapeutic agents. Our program is one of the leading institutions of the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium, which is a leading cooperative group supported by the National Cancer Institute. The consortium provides the latest treatments, long before they are available to the general medical community. Our program participates with various Industry/Pharmaceutical clinical trials which provide clinical trials with novel/experimental therapies for treatment. Fellows are expected to participate actively in all stages of clinical trials and have access to all of the required resources, ranging from our clinical trials office research services, biostatisticians, institutional review (IRB) and scientific review boards (SRB). Fellows participate in trials as an examining physician and gain experience in the use and interpretation of clinical outcome measures and development of investigator-initiated trials is actively encouraged.

The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center's tumor tissue bank is one of the largest in the country and offers access to more than 2,000 tissue samples as well as corresponding treatment and outcome data that can be used for clinical research projects.

The Balakrishnan Neuro-Palliative Program at Henry Ford is a leader in the field of palliative care and symptom research in neuro-oncology and neurology. Trainees and faculty of the program have presented their research findings on national and international meetings.

Facts

• Open to residents who completed ACGME-approved training in neurology, internal medicine or neurosurgery.
• Our program has one fellow at a time and typically our fellows participate in a 2 year fellowship.
• Our fellows do not participate in the call schedule.

If interested please contact us at

Diane Pierzynski
Fellowship administrator
Department of Neurosurgery Henry Ford Hospital
(313) 916-1093
DPIERZY1@hfhs.org

For application please submit your current CV, a statement of interest and 3 letters of recommendation.