Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellowship

Clinical opportunities

Welcome to the University of Iowa's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT Training Program. Here at Iowa’s only comprehensive health care center, you’ll be challenged by a broad range of pediatric blood diseases and childhood cancers.

Your outstanding clinical opportunities will include:

  • Bone marrow transplants.
  • Comprehensive hemophilia care.
  • General hematology and oncology care, both inpatient and outpatient.
  • Hemoglobinopathy care.

Our clinicians diagnose 100-110 new pediatric oncology patients each year.

Since 2022, our program has recruited faculty and expanded programs to levels never seen at the University of Iowa. Built on a strong foundation of the patient care experiences as well as community and institutional support, our program is now capable of providing an experience like nowhere else.

Research opportunities

Research is a major focus here. This includes a wide variety of basic science and clinical research projects that fellows can pick from. Fellow research projects have and can continue to cross over to specialties within pediatrics or other departments within the colleges of medicine and public health. Our faculty are engaged with cooperative research groups outside of the institution to help broaden the research exposure and connections with colleagues around the world.  If we can think of a concept, chances are we can find an experience to help grow your career. Learn more about research training. 

Our department’s researchers are responsible for more than $14 million in NIH-funded pediatrics research projects, 29th in the nation.

You’re going places. We can help you get there.

It is important to incorporate different perspectives and opinions on all aspects of care. With five new faculty members joining our practice from nationally ranked programs, we have adapted into a culture that challenges status quo with mutual respect. We have incorporated best practices to ensure our patients and trainees receive the best possible outcomes and training. Our diverse faculty’s connections will be a tremendous benefit to you when it’s time to explore post-fellowship positions.

Our fellows

We accept up to two pediatric hematology-oncology fellows per year. Recognizing the nationwide downward trend in specialty trainees, we have recommitted our program to helping trainees build healthy, sustainable careers.

You should choose Iowa for:

  • Work-life balance. Our clinical service is not dependent on fellows to cover service. This allows us to schedule fellows with a balance between service and education.
  • Freedom to explore. You are not bound into existing divisional faculty research projects. Chart your path and we’ll get you there.
  • Access to the most challenging cases. Diseases are not exclusive to big programs. Neither are medical breakthroughs. We have both.

Previous hematology-oncology trainees have received local and national training awards. View past fellows. 

Where we work

Dance Marathon Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is your clinical space on the 11th floor of the children’s hospital. All of our divisional inpatient and outpatient space is contained on one floor, and you’ll love the views.  Named after a 24-hour dance party fundraiser, Level 11 is also home to our pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT) program, the only one in Iowa. We have state-of-the-art transplant rooms, inpatient and outpatient space, infusion space and one lead-lined room for patients receiving radiotherapeutics. Our modern Stead Family Children’s Hospital opened in 2017.

A community that cares

A view of The Wave to UI Stead Family Children's Hospital from a field-level view at Kinnick Stadium.
Come wave with us!

In addition to raising more than $35 million for children, the University of Iowa is home to the greatest tradition in college sports – The Wave! On home-game Saturdays, children and their families peer out the windows to see 70,000 people waving hello from Kinnick Stadium. The energy is incredible and so are the smiles on our kids and caregivers. It’s rare for doctors and patients to feel so supported, but that’s Iowa. Our vibrant community is welcoming, affordable, and smart.

Families thrive here

The university offers dual career services to help partners or spouses. Our department also organizes cultural awareness appreciation events open to families. From big-city amenities to small-town safety, there’s a lot to love about living here.  

Pictured: Assistant Professor Jessica Zimmerman, MD, MS, who graduated from our fellowship program.

A doctor who is pregnant is simulated examining a child.

Certification

Our pediatric Hematology-Oncology Program is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Our People

Fellowship leaders

David Dickens, portrait

David Dickens, MD

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics 

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship director

David Claassen, portrait

David Claassen, MD, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship assistant director

Our fellows: A fresh approach

Imagine yourself at a respected research institution, in a medium-volume program where you are exposed to a wide breadth of clinical experiences. You’re in a safe, affordable midwestern college town. The community is progressive, literary, and family-friendly. It has the conveniences – and the patients – of urban hospitals without all the stressors. If this sounds like someplace you want to be, you should apply to be our next hematology-oncology fellow. #link to application details#

Our program successfully recruited faculty from top tier institutions to bring the very best approaches into one place. We have recommitted our program to helping trainees build healthy, meaningful careers in pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplantation.

Work-life balance means something here. Fellows are welcome and respected, yet are not expected to cover every service need that arises. Our clinical service can operate independently. That means you accomplish what you wish outside the hospital while you grow your career. Life won’t stop during your fellowship, and neither should you. Don’t worry – we still promise you a challenging, collaborative, and meaningful experience with robust clinical and research experiences!

Past fellows

2019-2022

Gino Bardi Lola, MD

Medical School: Universidad Dr. Jose Matias Delgado Escuela de Medicina
Residency: Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami
Post Fellowship Position: General pediatrics, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Douglas, Arizona

2018-2021

Torin Waters, MD

Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Residency: UCSF Fresno
Post Fellowship Position: Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix

2017-2020

Jessica Zimmerman, MD

Medical School: Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City
Residency: University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City
Post Fellowship Position: Associate, Leukemia/lymphoma Research, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City (2016-2019)
Currently: Assistant Professor, Pediatrics-Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City

Neeraja Swaminathan, MB, BS

Medical School: Kilpauk Medical College, India
Residency: Nassau University
Post Fellowship Position: Fourth Year Fellowship Hemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City
Currently: Assistant professor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashvillle, TN

2016-2019

Ahmad Al-Huniti, MD

Medical School: University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine
Residency: West Virigina University Hospital, Morgantown, W. Va.
Post Fellowship Position: Two-year thrombosis Fellowship, University of Toronto, SickKids
Currently: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Jamie M Truscott, MD

Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Residency: St. Louis University, St. Louis
Post Fellowship Position: One-year BMT Fellowship, St. Jude, Dallas
Currently: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas

Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology

Pediatric Oncology faculty

Welcome to the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics

Alexander Bassuk, Chair of the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics
Alexander G. Bassuk, MD, PhD

Welcome to the University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital. We are proud to showcase our extraordinary clinical care, dedication to the education of students and young physicians, and our world-class research programs.

Our comprehensive medical, surgical, and nursing services span the full spectrum of pediatric care. The consistently high rankings we receive on national and international benchmarks attest to the exceptional quality of care we provide. With more than 127,000 annual outpatient visits and more than 10,000 admissions to the 165 beds at University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital, we draw patients regionally, nationally, and internationally. Our commitment to family-centered care and our outstanding facilities have been praised for their innovative and patient-friendly design.

We are dedicated to excellence in the education of medical students, residents, and fellows, as reflected by a competency-based curriculum that is designed to provide practitioners with comprehensive knowledge and outstanding skills. The clinical and research efforts of trainees are closely mentored and nurtured. Our graduates move on to successful careers in clinical practice and academic pediatrics.

From genomics to cancer biology, from clinical trials to outcomes research, the department consistently ranks among the top National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded Pediatric Departments nationally. Our faculty and staff are engaged in cutting edge basic science and patient-oriented research in our unwavering quest to improve the health and well-being of all children.

About the Program

Quick facts

  • Three-year fellowship
  • ABP and ACGME-certified
  • Up to six fellows; two per year
  • Medium patient volume
    • New oncology patients annually: 100-110
    • Bleeding and clotting disorder patients: 400
    • Hemoglobinopathies patients: 150
  • Protected-time research blocks
  • Become the primary doctor for your own patients.
  • Rotate weeknight call from home and rotate weekend call.
  • New, freestanding hospital 

Program schedule

Inpatient training: We have two inpatient services; one devoted to oncology/bone marrow transplantation and a second hematology service. First-year fellows have 44 weeks of inpatient training divided evenly among the two services, second year fellows have seven weeks and third year fellows have six weeks of inpatient training.

Outpatient training: Our busy outpatient clinic includes new and returning patients with hemoglobinopathies, thromboses, hemophilia, immunodeficiencies, leukemias, solid tumors and brain tumors. Our long-term follow up clinic is where you’ll train on cancer survivor cases and several multi-disciplinary clinics. All fellows conduct a weekly half-day outpatient continuity clinic with an assigned attending physician throughout all three years of fellowship.

Electives: Your ample elective opportunities include cytogenetics, hematology, bone marrow transplantation, hematopathology, palliative care, radiation oncology, research, surgical pathology, and transfusion medicine. You can also talk with the fellowship director about elective time in additional fields related to Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Research: You will work with your Scholarly Oversight Committee during your first year to choose a scholarly project that will become your focus during years two and three. Fellows form a research mentoring team who will help them design and complete a scholarly project to complete requirements for American Board of Pediatrics subspecialty eligibility. Research blocks are protected time. We ask fellows to attend their weekly half-day outpatient clinic and equational conferences -- all other activities should be dedicated to research.

Vacation: You’ll enjoy three weeks of vacation each year.

Opportunities

A doctor discusses research with another woman.

Fellows may choose to pursue networking opportunities such as presenting your research at a hematology-oncology conference. Past fellows have attended educational conferences hosted by the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Onocology (ASPHO), the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the ASBMT, now the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.

Each year our department hosts Pediatric Research Day featuring a renowned keynote speaker followed by your opportunity to present your research in an oral data blitz and poster form. Winners are chosen.  

Clinical experiences

When you join the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology as a fellow, you will gain clinical experience in a variety of subspecialty areas, including:

  • Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program
  • Bone marrow failure
  • Bone marrow transplant (the only pediatric BMT unit in Iowa)
  • Cancer predisposition
  • Hemoglobinopathy
  • Hemophilia
  • Neuro-oncology, solid tumor, Leukemia/Lymphoma, tumor boards and meetings
  • Thrombosis and hemostasis
  • Psycho-Oncology Program
Pediatric patient rings bell after final cancer treatment.

Fellow education curriculum

Research mentors and pediatric Hematology-Oncology mentors enhance your training experience and monitor your progress for ways to help you reach your career goals.

Our weekly Department of Pediatrics Core Curriculum seminar series is your opportunity to:

  • Accelerate career development.
  • Develop written and oral presentation skills.
  • Enhance professional development.
  • Explore research options.
  • Improve teaching skills.
  • Interact with faculty and other fellows.
  • Learn about responsible research conduct.
  • Present your research.

The weekly Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Conference series lets you:

  • Keep up to date on clinical standards-of-care.
  • Learn to read and critique clinical and translational research papers.
  • Participate in didactic lectures based on The American Board of Pediatrics board specifications.
  • Participate in Quality Improvement projects.
  • Understand interdisciplinary practice.

Tumor board teaches you how to:

  • Develop palliative care plans.
  • Diagnose and stage new oncology patients.
  • Enroll patients in clinical trials.
  • Present cases in a multidisciplinary team.
  • Treat recurrent disease.

Blood Club connects you with other doctors to:

  • Discuss latest research on bleeding and clotting disorders.
  • Meet visiting professors.
  • Present new patients.
  • Review testing procedures and interpretation.
  • Work in a multidisciplinary team.

Case presentations and morbidity/mortality conferences teach you how to:

  • Identify overall strengths and weaknesses in patient care.
  • Improve multidisciplinary coordination of care.
  • Improve patient care.
  • Present cases with in-depth discussion of diagnosis, genetics, and evidence-based treatment options.

Research opportunities

A woman in a lab conducts cancer research.

Iowa is a renowned medical research university with outstanding clinical, translational, and basic science research. Iowa’s research strengths include the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science.  The College of Public Health is home to the National Cancer Institute’s SEER database. Our department  is a member of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network and Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium. 

Research mentors

During the first few months of fellowship, we’ll encourage you to meet with several clinical and basic science investigators who have ongoing projects that interest you. We can also help pair you with a mentor whose research interests are similar to yours. Our research mentors are experts in disciplines related to hematology-oncology in the Carver College of Medicine.  

Here are some recent mentor and fellow projects:

Mentor: Aaron Boes, MD, PhD

Fellow: Gino Bardi Lola, 2019-2022

Skye J, Bruss J, Toescu S, Aquilina K, Grafft A, Bardi Lola G, Boes AD. Neuroanatomy of cerebellar mutism syndrome: the role of lesion location. Brain Commun. 2024 Jun 5;6(4):fcae197. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae197. PMID: 39015767; PMCID: PMC11250198.

 

 

Mentor: David Gordon, MD, PhD

Fellow: Torin Waters, 2018-2021

Publications:

Waters TW, Moore SA, Sato Y, Dlouhy BJ, Sato M. Refractory infantile high-grade glioma containing TRK-fusion responds to larotrectinib. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 May;68(5):e28868. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28868. Epub 2021 Jan 5. PMID: 33403813.

Waters TW, Dickens DS. Reducing sedated lumbar punctures in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Nov;68(11):e29272. doi: 10.1002/pbc.29272. Epub 2021 Jul 31. PMID: 34331510.

Goss KL, Koppenhafer SL, Waters T, Terry WW, Wen KK, Wu M, Ostergaard J, Gordon PM, Gordon DJ. The translational repressor 4E-BP1 regulates RRM2 levels and functions as a tumor suppressor in Ewing sarcoma tumors. Oncogene. 2021 Jan;40(3):564-577. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-01552-0. Epub 2020 Nov 15. PMID: 33191406; PMCID: PMC7856031.

Waters T, Goss KL, Koppenhafer SL, Terry WW, Gordon DJ. Eltrombopag inhibits the proliferation of Ewing sarcoma cells via iron chelation and impaired DNA replication. BMC Cancer. 2020 Nov 30;20(1):1171. doi: 10.1186/s12885-020-07668-6. PMID: 33256675; PMCID: PMC7706234.

 

Mentor: Miles A. Pufall, PhD

Fellow: Jessica Zimmerman, 2017-2020

Publications:

Zimmerman JAO, Fang M, Doumbia B, Neyman A, Cha JH, Thomas M, Hall B, Wu M, Wilson AM, Pufall MA. Deacylcortivazol-like pyrazole regioisomers reveal a more accommodating expanded binding pocket for the glucocorticoid receptor. RSC Med Chem. 2020 Dec 8;12(2):203-212. doi: 10.1039/d0md00278j. PMID: 34046609; PMCID: PMC8127617.

Hoover A, Zimmerman JAO, Wiese S, Modi A. Evaluation of Empiric Vancomycin for Fevers During High-dose Cytarabine Administration. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2021 Oct 1;43(7):e1010-e1014. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002073. PMID: 33560084; PMCID: PMC8329102.

Zimmerman JAO, Sharathkumar A. Severe Anemia and "Splenomegaly". Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2017 Nov;56(13):1266-1269. doi: 10.1177/0009922816684619. Epub 2016 Dec 22. PMID: 28006959.

 

Mentor: M. Nedim Ince, MD

Fellow: Jamie Truscott, 2016-2019

Publications:

Li Y, Liu W, Guan X, Truscott J, Creemers JW, Chen HL, Pesu M, El Abiad RG, Karacay B, Urban JF Jr, Elliott DE, Kaplan MH, Blazar BR, Ince MN. STAT6 and Furin Are Successive Triggers for the Production of TGF-β by T Cells. J Immunol. 2018 Nov 1;201(9):2612-2623. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700808. Epub 2018 Sep 28. PMID: 30266770; PMCID: PMC6200631.

Truscott J, Guan X, Fury H, Atagozli T, Metwali A, Liu W, Li Y, Li RW, Elliott DE, Blazar BR, Ince MN. After Bone Marrow Transplantation, the Cell-Intrinsic Th2 Pathway Promotes Recipient T Lymphocyte Survival and Regulates Graft-versus-Host Disease. Immunohorizons. 2023 Jun 1;7(6):442-455. doi: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300021. PMID: 37294277; PMCID: PMC10580113.

Li Y, Guan X, Liu W, Chen HL, Truscott J, Beyatli S, Metwali A, Weiner GJ, Zavazava N, Blumberg RS, Urban JF Jr, Blazar BR, Elliott DE, Ince MN. Helminth-Induced Production of TGF-β and Suppression of Graft-versus-Host Disease Is Dependent on IL-4 Production by Host Cells. J Immunol. 2018 Nov 15;201(10):2910-2922. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700638. Epub 2018 Oct 5. PMID: 30291167; PMCID: PMC6219912.

 

Mentor: Janice Staber, MD

Fellow: Ahmad Al-Huniti, 2016-2019

Publications:

Al-Huniti A, Reyes Hernandez M, Ten Eyck P, Staber JM. Mental health disorders in haemophilia: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Haemophilia. 2020 May;26(3):431-442. doi: 10.1111/hae.13960. Epub 2020 Apr 19. PMID: 32307801; PMCID: PMC8475067.

Al-Huniti A, Sharathkumar A, Krantz M, Watkinson K, Bhagavathi S. Discrepant Hemophilia A: An Underdiagnosed Disease Entity. Am J Clin Pathol. 2020 Jun 8;154(1):78-87. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqaa024. PMID: 32232366.

Sande CM, Al-Huniti A, Ten Eyck P, Sharathkumar AA. Impact of the Survey of Inhibitors in Plasma-Product Exposed Toddlers (SIPPET) study and its post hoc analyses on clinical practice in the United States: A survey of Haemophilia and Thrombosis Research Society members. Haemophilia. 2019 Sep;25(5):764-772. doi: 10.1111/hae.13806. Epub 2019 Jul 2. PMID: 31264762; PMCID: PMC7056002.

 

Mentor: Rebecca Benson, MD, PhD

Fellow: Katie Harmoney, 2015-2018

Publications:

Harmoney K, Mobley EM, Gilbertson-White S, Brogden NK, Benson RJ. Differences in Advance Care Planning and Circumstances of Death for Pediatric Patients Who Do and Do Not Receive Palliative Care Consults: A Single-Center Retrospective Review of All Pediatric Deaths from 2012 to 2016. J Palliat Med. 2019 Dec;22(12):1506-1514. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0111. Epub 2019 Jun 21. PMID: 31233350; PMCID: PMC6998041.

Goss KL, Koppenhafer SL, Harmoney KM, Terry WW, Gordon DJ. Inhibition of CHK1 sensitizes Ewing sarcoma cells to the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor gemcitabine. Oncotarget. 2017 Jun 28;8(50):87016-87032. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.18776. PMID: 29152060; PMCID: PMC5675612.

David Dickens, MD

Fellowship director and clinical professor

David Claassen, MD, PhD

Fellowship assistant director and clinical assistant professor

Alex Bassuk, MD, PhD

Chair, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics

Certification

Our pediatric Hematology-Oncology Program is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

How to Apply

Criteria for candidacy

Application materials may be submitted following the completion of the PL2 year of residency. Highly qualified foreign medical graduates who have an ECFMG certificate and the required American Board of Pediatrics certified residency training may apply. Both the University of Iowa and our Pediatric Hematology/Oncology training program are committed to improving access to opportunity for all members of society. We value cultural and global competency. Learn about our diverse and welcoming campus.  

We accept up to two fellows each year.

Application materials needed

  • Completed application on ERAS  
  • Completion of or current participation in an American Board of Pediatrics certified Pediatric Residency
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal statement 
  • Four letters of recommendation including: 
    • Medical School Dean's letter (same as required for residency) 
    • Pediatric Residency Director, and 
    • Two additional faculty (or other appropriate individuals of your choice) 
  • USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Examination Scores 
  • Copy of ECFMG Certificate (applies to international medical graduates only) 
  • Passport-style photograph (optional) 
  • Proof of US citizenship or permanent residency status 

Priority deadline

The University of Iowa Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program follows the NRMP fall match schedule. Annually, applications will be accepted through ERAS starting in July, and the deadline to apply is August 1.

Questions?

If you have questions about the program, contact our program director or associate director below.

Submit applications to:

David Dickens, MD

University of Iowa Distinguished Professor
Director, Fellowship Program in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of Iowa, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
200 Hawkins Drive, 1323 BT
Iowa City, IA 52242-1083
Phone: 1-319-384-5108
Email: david-dickens@uiowa.edu  

Or

David Claassen, MD, PhD
Associate Director, Fellowship Program in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of Iowa Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
200 Hawkins Drive, 1326 BT
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: 1-319-356-1905
Email: david-claassen@uiowa.edu

Interviews

We will interview candidates for two positions. Interviews will start in September and end in early October. To join our fellowship, you must be licensed in Iowa by June 30 of the following calendar year to begin orientation July 1.

What should applicants expect before their interview?

  • The Fellowship Program Coordinator will email you to confirm an interview date.
  • Once interview date is finalized, the Fellowship Program Coordinator will email you details of the virtual interview.

What should applicants expect on their interview day?

  • All interviews will be virtual, via Zoom.
  • Please ensure that your technology includes both audio and visual capabilities for the interview.

Pediatric board certification

Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process which serves multiple purposes for the trainee and the public.

Certification:

  • Is one mission of the training program to produce trainees who meet board eligibility criteria.
  • Distinguishes a physician as someone with a distinct level of expertise.
  • Provides more opportunities when applying for employment.
  • Presents resources and tools by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
  • A commitment to life-long improvement for providing the best patient care.
  • Elevates physicians into the ranks of doctors committed to the highest standards of healthcare.

Visit the American Board of Pediatrics for specifics on board certification requirements.