Welcome
Thank you for your interest in our program. Our fellowship program was created with the mission to develop expert, innovative, and compassionate leaders in the field of cancer rehabilitation. Home to such innovations as CAR T-cell therapy, mRNA treatments, and lymphatic procedures, Penn offers a unique training experience at the nexus of oncology and rehabilitation care. We are excited to share our passions in patient care, in education, and in discovery with you!
Fellowship Structure
Duration: One year
Rotations: The fellow will gain experience in both outpatient and inpatient cancer rehabilitation care. Cancer rehabilitation care does not operate in a silo, and for that reason, we ensure that there are adequate elective experiences with oncology specialties and therapy teams. Our program is also unique in its opportunities in palliative medicine, through which the fellow can gain confidence in symptom management, in advanced communication skills, and in patient centered medical care.
Outpatient Sessions
- Core clinics with faculty within the department who are specialists in cancer rehabilitation and palliative care medicine
- Elective clinics with faculty in medical and surgical specialties in breast oncology, gynecologic oncology, hematologic malignancies, head and neck oncology, radiation oncology, sarcoma, neuro-oncology, orthopedic oncology, palliative care, vascular surgery, and plastic surgery
- Elective clinics with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology
- Elective rotations that include electrodiagnosis, ultrasound-guided procedures, home visits with hospice teams, and interventional pain medicine physiatrists
- Independent fellow cancer rehabilitation clinic
Inpatient Sessions
- Once a week inpatient consultation on cancer patients in the inpatient acute rehabilitation services (Spinal Cord Injury, highlighting those who have spinal cord tumors; Traumatic Brain Injury, highlighting those who have been treated for brain tumors; and Complex Medical, highlighting patients who are treated with immunosuppressive agents)
- Twice weekly inpatient consultation on cancer patients in acute care hospital
Fellow Education: In addition to clinical rotations, the fellow will participate in didactic sessions.
- Monthly journal clubs (every other month led by the fellow)
- Tumor boards
- Twice monthly didactic sessions with core faculty in cancer rehabilitation
- Opportunities to participate in special projects at the Cancer Center, such as in exercise oncology and prehabilitation
Fellow Responsibilities: In addition to clinical rotations, the fellow will participate in didactic sessions.
- Lead journal clubs
- Educate medical students and residents during inpatient and outpatient experiences
- Quarterly cancer rehab patient case reviews with residents
- Provide lecture to residents during cancer rehabilitation didactic block
- Participate in at least one research project
Applying and Matching
A personal statement, your curriculum vitae, and at least 3 letters of recommendation are required in the application process. Our program participates in the NRMP Rehabilitation Fellowship Match.
For more information and/or to apply, please reach out to Fellowship Director Jasmine Zheng, MD at jasmine.zheng@pennmedicine.upenn.edu