On behalf of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the UC Davis School of Medicine and the UC Davis Cancer Center, I would like to thank you for your interest in our Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program and provide you with a brief overview of the program.

The Division of Hematology and Oncology and the UC Davis Cancer Center have enjoyed a period of tremendous growth and prosperity over the past decade.  From six full-time faculty members in the early nineties, we have grown to be the largest Division in the Department of Internal Medicine with 44 full-time faculty members, including 26 clinician-scientists with expertise that covers the breath of hematology and medical oncology.  The clinical enterprise and research portfolio have grown exponentially, and the Division not only has a successful clinical enterprise but consistently ranks in the top two academic units in the School of Medicine in terms of the largest research portfolio.  The UC Davis Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center in inland California, with a referral base of 4 million people that stretches from the Oregon border to the lower San Joaquin Valley.  Our vigorous developmental therapeutic programs offer innovative therapies to patients, anchored by NCI-funded Phase I and Phase II development grants. 

The fellowship program takes full advantage of the opportunities that have resulted from this growth.  A broad and deep exposure to clinical problems is made possible by rotations that include diverse patient populations including the UC Davis Medical Center, the VA Medical Center Sacramento, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Clinics, and San Joaquin General Hospital.  In addition to sub-subspecialty clinic exposure (e.g., Breast Clinic, Thoracic Oncology Clinic, Benign Hematology Clinic, etc.), fellows have two ½ day continuity clinics a week for general hematology and oncology (can be decreased to ½ a day a week for research fellows).  Fellows are able to follow their own panel of patients throughout their training, greatly enhancing their clinical experience.  Rotations in Transfusion Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Hospice, and Pathology ensure exposure to these important disciplines. 

Research is a required part of fellowship and the research opportunities available to our fellows are tremendous.  Most of our fellows are able to publish their results and present their work at meetings such as ASCO and ASH.  Fellows have been consistently presenting their work at ASCO and ASH.  For those headed for a career in clinical investigation, a formal mentored clinical investigator-training program is available.  UC Davis was one of the first 12 recipients of the NIH Clinical and Translational Sciences Awards, and Hematology and Oncology faculty play leadership roles in our Clinical and Translational Sciences Center.  Fellows interested in laboratory-based research also have a wealth of opportunity to work with active investigators within our own Division, or within the Cancer Program.  Less “traditional” research opportunities are present in our Palliative Care funded Hospice Program and NCI-funded Minority Outreach Programs.

Despite our growth, the Division continues to be a congenial and intimate group.  The faculty are friendly and approachable, and committeed to fellow education.  Part of this commitment is reflected in the fact that as opposed to many Cancer Centers, our full-time faculty provide staff coverage for our fellows’ general hematology and oncology continuity clinics rather than having fellows attend only sub-subspecialty clinics.  Patients follow the fellows, not the attending, when the fellows move their clinic day.  It is this dedication that has led to an overall positive experience and outstanding training for our fellows.  We are tremendously proud of the clinical proficency of our graduates.

Again, we appreciate your interest and look forward to the opportunity to meet with some of you.

Best wishes,

Ted Wun, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Vice Chief and Fellowship Program Director
Chief, Section of Hematology Oncology, VANCHCS
Medical Director, UC Davis CTSC Clinical Research Center