Maine Medical Center

Rotations

Vatche Tchekmedyian, MD speaks to an infusion patient inside the MaineHealth Cancer Care outpatient clinic
We have developed a block schedule to provide fellows with a broad and deep exposure to all aspects of solid tumor oncology and benign and malignant hematology. We have prioritized continuity in our scheduling such that fellows can develop meaningful and longitudinal relationships with patients as they join patients through the cancer care continuum. View an overview of the block schedule.

Year One

  • The first year will begin with a two-week “boot camp” which will provide fellows with high-yield, non-disease specific didactics; pharmacology and pharmacy exposure; and time spent in IV therapy.
  • After this, fellows will start 5 1/2  months of outpatient rotations. They will have a total of seven outpatient specialty clinics per week, one continuity fellows clinic (that will continue for the full three-year fellowship) one half day for education and an additional half day for self-study, research and administrative work.
  • The second half of the year will be predominantly inpatient rotations as follows:
    • Three months of inpatient oncology (predominately malignant hematology) alternating with one month of palliative care, one month radiation oncology and one month pathology
  • View an example of the year 1 outpatient schedule.

Year Two

  • The first month of second year will be a research immersion and grand writing course. Fellows will be expected to generate a research grant during this time period.
  • Fellows will travel to Boston for a one month rotation at Massachusetts General Hospital for training in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies.
  • There will be dedicated blocks of time (one month) for research, as well as time built into the schedule for research during outpatient blocks and consult rotations
  • Second year fellows will do two months of inpatient oncology (predominately malignant hematology) in two one-month blocks
  • Second year fellows will have five months of strict outpatient sub-specialty rotations and two months of hybrid outpatient with inpatient consults

Year Three