Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Fellowship Program

The world’s first successful bone marrow transplant was performed in 1968 at the University of Minnesota in a child with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome. Since that time, the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy has been a leader in this field. Driven to find new treatments and safer transplant therapies for children with life threatening malignant and non malignant diseases, University of Minnesota investigators have received millions of dollars in NIH and industry support to manipulate the immune system to kill cancer cells and harness the power of stem cells to repair diseased or chemotherapy and radiation damaged tissues.

The Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Fellowship Program provides Board Eligible or Board Certified Pediatric Hematologists/Oncologists with a clinical and research training experience of exceptional breadth and depth in blood and marrow transplantation. Our internationally-recognized Pediatric BMT Center serves children from throughout the United States and abroad who are undergoing allogeneic transplant for diverse primary disorders (including high-risk hemato-lymphoid malignancies, primary immune deficiencies, non-malignant hematologic disorders, acquired and inherited marrow failures, metabolic disorders, and life-threatening forms of epidermolysis bullosa) as well as autologous stem cell rescue following high-dose chemotherapy for high-risk pediatric solid tumors.

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Prospective Fellows

Interested applicants should submit a universal application, current curriculum vitae, personal statement, USMLE Score Reports (Steps I, II, and III) and three letters of recommendation (MD/PhD applicants must include a letter from their thesis advisor). Letters should be addressed to the program director and emailed by the letter writer directly to the fellowship coordinator.

Please note: Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited Pediatric Residency Program by the fellowship start date. Preferred applicants have also completed a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology Oncology.

The University of Minnesota demonstrates a commitment to leveraging the transformative power of equity and diversity to advance excellence in teaching, learning and community engagement. Applications from individuals who self-identify as members of underrepresented groups are particularly welcome.

Program Overview

The fellow will gain expertise in determining patient candidacy for BMT, assigning ideal conditioning regimens, selecting appropriate allograft source, and managing common peri- and post-transplant complications in both the inpatient and outpatient clinical setting. The successful applicant will benefit greatly from a large pediatric BMT faculty with diverse clinical and research interests, high patient volumes, exposure to novel cell- and immune-based therapeutic strategies, and a close collaboration with an internationally-recognized Adult BMT Center and cell processing cGMP facility. Our one year program (optional second year) is designed to provide enough structure to ensure a well-rounded training experience while allowing for flexibility to address the specific goals of the fellow.

Ultimately, our program is committed to continuing its tradition of training leaders and innovators worldwide who will help to shape the future of Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplantation.

Stipends & Benefits

This page provides access to information on stipends and benefits for medical residents & fellows.

Additionally, each medical fellow receives:

  • Funding of the ABP General Pediatrics Certifying Exam, if first time taken is during training
  • At least $1,500 for professional development
  • At least $300 annually in education funds
  • MN medical license, or MN residency permit if ineligible for a MN license
  • AAP membership with subspecialty section membership
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Current Fellows
smitha_vasanna

Smitha Hosahalli Vasanna
[email protected]

Marketa Dimitrov

Marketa Dimitrov
[email protected]

Alumni

Amanda Johnson
Fellowship dates: 2022-2023

View our full list of graduates

Contact Us

Fellowship Program Director

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Fellowship Coordinator

For more information on our other medical fellowship programs, click here.