Neuro-Oncology Fellowship

Fellowship at Henry Ford

The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Health in partnership with Michigan State University is the premier neuro-oncology program in Michigan driving healthcare progress through novel surgical, radiation, and systemic disease treatment approaches for primary brain tumors, metastatic CNS disease, neurofibromatosis and neurologic complications of cancer.

Our brain tumor clinic integrates comprehensive patient-focused neuro-oncology care with a very active clinical trials program that is closely integrated with neurosurgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology. We aim to support our patients through leading edge therapeutic research, but also structured community engagement involving patient-focused events, research to understand and improve the patient experience and improve health equity. Fellows actively participate in our multi-disciplinary tumor boards which include spine cancer, brain metastatic disease and primary brain tumor boards. These are true multidisciplinary patient care meetings with specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, neuropathology, clinical trials, palliative/hospice, patient navigation, supportive health leaders and neuro-oncology.

The fellowship is held at the state-of-the-art Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion, a part of the Henry Ford Hospital in Midtown Detroit, which opened its doors in 2021. Additionally, there is an outpatient Neuro Oncology clinic at our Henry Ford West-Bloomfield Hospital. The fellowship is a UCNS-accredited program in neuro-oncology with outstanding clinical training as well as support for basic and translational research. Over two years, fellows will be prepared for sub-specialty UCNS board certification in neuro-oncology and a career as an academically engaged neuro-oncologist.

As a Neuro-Oncology fellow at Henry Ford Health, your role will directly impact and enhance the lives of our patients. You'll become an integral part of our dynamic brain tumor community that actively engages in philanthropic events, support groups, and advisory councils. In the outpatient clinics, you will have a dedicated support team, including Nurse Navigators, a Patient Access Liaison, a Mid-Level Provider, and Medical Assistants.

Furthermore, our program offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with our accomplished basic science researchers. This synergy allows you to pursue and advance your academic interests in research and clinical studies, with comprehensive support from grant writers, medical writers, biostatisticians, bioinformatics and the participation of Neurosurgery residents and staff. Moreover, your academic pursuits will benefit from the routine guidance of our seasoned epidemiologist, well-versed in study design, outcome measurements, and the submission/publication of peer-reviewed journal articles.

First year

Fellows will gain knowledge and experience:

• Participation in our brain tumor clinic and neuro-oncology consult service with exposure to primary brain tumors, metastatic tumors and CNS complication of systemic cancer.
• Participation in our weekly multidisciplinary brain tumor board
• Rotations with medical oncology, radiation oncology
• Weekly didactic neuro-oncology conferences
• Scientific development curriculum
• Participation in our clinical trials program

Research projects second year

• Brain Tumor continuity clinic and neuro-oncology consult service
• Opportunities to rotate with palliative care, neuro-pathology
• Focus on clinical, translational or basic research

Didactic training

Fellows participate in weekly neuro-oncology conferences and one-on-one sessions to review different aspects of neuro-oncology practice and the underlying scientific principles. In addition, fellows have the opportunity to join monthly journal clubs, didactic courses and one-on-one mentoring to foster their academic development.

Research training

The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center is a national leader for the conduct of clinical trials involving the use of innovative treatment strategies and novel therapeutic agents. Our program is one of the leading institutions of the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium, which is a leading cooperative group supported by the National Cancer Institute. The consortium provides the latest treatments, long before they are available to the general medical community. Our program participates with various Industry/Pharmaceutical clinical trials which provide clinical trials with novel/experimental therapies for treatment. Fellows are expected to participate actively in all stages of clinical trials and have access to all of the required resources, ranging from our clinical trials office research services, biostatisticians, institutional review (IRB) and scientific review boards (SRB). Fellows participate in trials as an examining physician and gain experience in the use and interpretation of clinical outcome measures and development of investigator-initiated trials is actively encouraged.

The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center's tumor tissue bank is one of the largest in the country and offers access to more than 2,000 tissue samples as well as corresponding treatment and outcome data that can be used for clinical research projects.

The Balakrishnan Neuro-Palliative Program at Henry Ford is a leader in the field of palliative care and symptom research in neuro-oncology and neurology. Trainees and faculty of the program have presented their research findings on national and international meetings.

Facts

• Open to residents who completed ACGME-approved training in neurology, internal medicine or neurosurgery.
• Our program has one fellow at a time and typically our fellows participate in a 2 year fellowship.
• Our fellows do not participate in the call schedule.

If interested, please contact:

Jody Otto or Lisa Scarpace
Department of Neurosurgery Henry Ford Hospital
Phone: (313) 916-1340 or email: jotto4@hfhs.org or lscarpa1@hfhs.org

If you wish to participate in a week-long rotation with our NeuroOncology team, kindly reach out to Jody Otto or Lisa Scarpace at phone (313) 916-1340. To initiate the application process, please utilize the NeuroOncology San Francisco Fellowship Match program.