Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program

Our 3-year ACGME-accredited Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship offers unparalleled clinical autonomy and personalized training in a close-knit, supportive environment. As one of the top-ranking pediatric cancer centers by volume, we provide comprehensive exposure to the full spectrum of childhood cancers and blood disorders through our Showers Family Center. With only one fellow per year, you'll receive individualized mentorship while serving as the primary physician for your patients from initial diagnosis through treatment completion—an experience unavailable at larger programs where multiple fellows compete for cases.

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What They‘re Saying…

“The autonomy with guidance that is provided by the attendings allowed me to develop management plans and build strong relationships with my patients and their families. The support team of APPs, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, nurse clinicians (and many more) are also very invested in the education of the fellows, and this team really does make the sometimes long hours more enjoyable as we are finding our way through fellowship.”

— Matthew Henderson, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

“With regards to research, I walked into the department’s basic science laboratory without any previous experience and was given the opportunity to work on osteosarcoma research culminating in a publishable work product. At the end of the three years, I gained the well-rounded experience that potential employers are looking for in a Hem-Onc specialist, and this program was instrumental in helping me attain the job that I worked toward after a decade of training.”

— Matthew Henderson, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

“While there is nothing that can prepare you for a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship, the program at Akron Children’s does a fantastic job preparing their fellows to become confident, knowledgeable, and proficient attendings. Given that there is only one fellow per year, we have the opportunity to manage a wide variety of pathologies, and there is a good balance of hematology, oncology, and transplant exposure.”

— Matthew Henderson, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

“As a current fellow and having recently completed my primary clinical year, I can say that I received extensive exposure, autonomy and supportive mentorship during my first year. I was the primary physician to care for each of my patients. I was given every opportunity to succeed and develop my practice management style. I have now started working on my own prospective clinical trial with interhospital collaboration supporting my research interests. I expect to reach the end of fellowship with strong clinical and research experience to begin as a confident pediatric hematologist/oncologist.”

— Nicholas Farris, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship

The goal of our 3-year, ACGME-accredited program is to provide you with exceptional educational experiences in clinical and research aspects of pediatric hematology-oncology while building on the general competencies you achieved in your pediatric residency. We are a member of Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest childhood cancer research collaborative, and we're verified as a Pediatric Teaching Hospital Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

What Sets Our Program Apart

Our unique structure as a non-fellow dependent program provides extraordinary advantages for training. With only one fellow per year, you'll experience:

Unmatched Clinical Autonomy: From day one, you'll function as the primary oncologist for your patients, with families and other departments recognizing you as the lead provider—a level of responsibility rarely available at larger programs with multiple fellows.
Comprehensive Disease Exposure: You'll care for patients with virtually every form of childhood cancer and blood disorder without competition from co-fellows or advanced practice providers. This allows you to create your own portfolio of cases and follow each patient closely through their entire treatment journey.
Flexibility Without Compromise: Schedule adjustments for clinic or call don't require complex "trades" with other fellows, eliminating scheduling conflicts and ensuring optimal learning opportunities.
Procedure-First Priority: As the primary physician, you're first-in-line for all procedures performed on your patients, ensuring your procedural skills reach attending level by the end of your first year.

Clinical Experience

Our program ensures comprehensive training across all subspecialty areas through:

Specialized Multidisciplinary Clinics: Monthly participation in hemophilia, neurofibromatosis, survivorship, sickle cell disease, and brain tumor clinics
Hemophilia Expertise: Unique opportunity to care for one of the largest Hemophilia B populations in the world
Diverse Patient Population: Exposure to patients from varied socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds with rich community resources

Supportive Learning Environment

Our close-knit working environment provides ready access to attending physicians, ensuring frequent informal teaching opportunities alongside structured didactic sessions. Our care team includes pediatric hematology-oncology physicians, advanced practice providers, social workers, psychologist, pharmacists, case manager, physical therapists, dietitians, child life specialist, chaplain, school liaison, school teacher, and multiple volunteers—all invested in your education and making challenging days more manageable.

Tailored Career Preparation

The program's flexibility allows fellows to customize their education to align with post-graduation goals. Whether your interests lie in clinical practice, research, or academic medicine, our faculty provides mentorship and opportunities to develop the specific skills and experience you'll need for your chosen career path.

For an overview, please view this page.

You must meet the following criteria to apply:

Completed ERAS application
MD or DO degree
Passed all 3 steps of USMLE/COMLEX
Board certified/eligible in general pediatrics
Ohio medical license and DEA number
U.S. citizenship or J-1 Visa
3 letters of recommendation
Letter of recommendation from current program director

How to Apply

Our fellowship program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). You must register for this fellowship by creating an account with NRMP. Contact the NRMP at nrmp@aamc.org or 202-828-0676 with questions.

Selected applicants will be contacted to arrange a virtual interview. Opportunities for in-person second look interviews are available by request.

For more information, contact:

Stephanie Savelli, MD
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Director
Akron Children's
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
ssavelli@akronchildrens.org

We accept one graduate of an accredited pediatric residency training program each year. Our program's 36-month curriculum and clinical rotation schedule are directed by faculty with expertise in the selected topics.

Year 1

First Year Clinical Rotation Schedule

4-6 weeks	Outpatient clinic
26-28 weeks	Inpatient service
2 weeks	Hematopathology
2 weeks	Radiation Oncology
4 weeks	Neuro-Oncology
2 weeks	Blood bank coagulation (4%)
2 weeks	Research exploration - Akron Children's/Kent State University/NEOMED (4%)
3 weeks	Vacation

During the first year of subspecialty training, we focus on clinical and basic science knowledge and pediatric hematology-oncology skills. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, you'll have the opportunity to acquire communication skills, teaching experience, self-learning practices, and teamwork/team-building skills.

The majority of the first year will be spent covering the inpatient service. We split service time between either oncology service or hematology and bone marrow transplant service. You will spend 2 weeks at Summa Health rotating in radiation oncology and 2 weeks in Akron Children’s hematopathology lab and 2 weeks in our blood bank and coagulation lab. This will allow you to gain an understanding of various radiation techniques as well as in the rationale, performance and interpretation of all aspects of hematology-oncology laboratory and transfusion medicine.

In addition to strong clinical training, you'll also receive instruction in effective teaching, specifically covering:

Information delivery in clinical settings and classrooms
Provision of feedback to learners
Assessment of educational outcomes
Development of teaching materials

Year 2

Second Year Clinical Rotation Schedule

40 weeks	Research
4 weeks	Inpatient Service
3 weeks	Biostatistical and Epidemiology online course
2 weeks	Palliative Care
3 weeks	Vacation

The second and third years are primarily dedicated to research. You will select a project, identify a mentor and become established in a laboratory or begin the design of a clinical or translational research project.

Year 3

Third Year Clinical Rotation Schedule

8 weeks	Inpatient service
41 weeks	Research at chosen site
3 weeks	Vacation

The third year also consists of research as well as time on the inpatient hematology-oncology service. You will focus on completing a research project with the goal of a first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal. You will also be expected to function at an attending level with minimal (but always available) direction from the hematology-oncology faculty.

Throughout fellowship, you will participate in regular didactics, such as weekly interdisciplinary oncology conferences. Bi-monthly lectures cover the core topics for board certification and are presented in an 18-month cycle. Monthly didactics include an interdisciplinary hematology conference, and monthly board review sessions. Divisional journal club is held every other month.

Akron Children’s accredited fellowship programs offer:

Stipends

(Effective July 1, 2025)
PL-4 – $75,794
PL-5 – $77,309
PL-6 -- $78,856

Vacation

House offices are granted 3 weeks of vacation or 15 customary working days.

Conference Time

Fellows are entitled to 5 days of conference time each year for medical conventions and courses outside the hospital.

Educational Allowance

Fellows are provided $1,500 annually for use toward medical-related journals or books, conferences, and license renewals.

Research and Scholarship Travel

The Department of Pediatrics encourages and supports investigator-initiated research by subspecialty fellows. Therefore, the Department supports research-related travel when the fellow is in good academic and professional standing, and when prior written approval of the program director is documented. All hospital policies relating to travel must be followed.

Although the policy relates to presentation at a national forum, requests for support for presentation at a regional forum are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additionally, funding may be available to offset costs for professional conferences (travel, lodging, registration, meals) if not presenting scholarly activity.

Professional Liability

Professional liability insurance is provided by the hospital.

Health Benefits

Fellows, and their dependents, are eligible to enroll in the hospital’s health, dental, and vision insurance programs. Costs are shared between the fellow and the hospital. Benefits are available immediately.

Retirement Benefits

Fellows may participate in the Hospital’s 403(b) Plan from their date of hire. Match dollars are not available to fellows.

Other Benefits

Group Term Life Insurance equal to one time the fellow’s annual income, with an option to purchase additional coverage in increments of annual earnings.
Dependent Life Insurance coverage and Medical Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
Voluntary Universal Life, Accident & Critical Illness through Trustmark & Home& Auto through Met Life.
Employee Assistance Program available to all fellows and their families.
Short and Long Term Disability benefits available, effective for three months following start date.

Medical License & DEA

Fellows are required to obtain an Ohio State Medical License and DEA certificate prior to beginning training.

Parking

A key access card for convenient parking is provided at no charge.

Lab Coats

One embroidered lab coat is provided, if desired.

Meals

Fellows are given $70 every week for use in the hospital cafeteria.

Relocation expenses

The hospital provides reimbursement for initial relocation expenses, up to $1,000, subject to current tax laws.

Smoke, Electronic Cigarette and Tobacco Free Campus

Akron Children’s is a tobacco-free healthcare system. Prospective employees who test positive for nicotine will have their offer of employment rescinded and will not be permitted to start work.

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program

What They‘re Saying…

You must meet the following criteria to apply:

How to Apply

For more information, contact: