Educating healthcare professionals is a vital part of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s mission. The Integrative Medicine Service offers doctors, acupuncturists, nurses, and other licensed providers from around the world with access to high-quality learning opportunities in the sub-specialty of integrative oncology.

Medical Student Clinical Research Fellowship

Jointly with the University of Washington Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers a clinical research fellowship for medical students interested in dedicating 10-12 months to research. The fellowship program occurs under the supervision of Dr. Erin Gillespie, Associate Professor and Radiation Oncologist specializing in breast cancer and metastatic disease at the University of Washington; Dr. Kevin Liou, Assistant Attending and Integrative Medicine Specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and Dr. Jun Mao, Attending Member and Chief of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Fellows will be paired with a primary mentor for conducting their research projects.

Potential projects involve clinical trials, care delivery innovation, health equity, implementation science, symptom science, quality and safety, health services, healthcare policy, and educational research, with opportunities available to conduct multidisciplinary studies with experts in biostatistics, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and clinical trial methodology. Research fellows typically design, conduct, analyze, and publish 2-3 studies during the research year, as well as participate in ongoing educational and clinical programming initiatives. Leadership opportunities include overseeing research projects and managing eContour’s content and strategic partnerships, such as the cloud imaging solution MIM Software Inc. Research fellows will participate in formal didactics through the Clinical Research Methodology Curriculum, which includes a practical course in applied statistics. Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in limited clinical activities in radiation oncology, medical oncology, and/or integrative medicine.

Eligibility

Medical students in good standing who have completed at least one year of medical school (typically fellows are between 3^rd and 4^th year) and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may apply. Underrepresented minorities and women are encouraged to apply. The student must commit to full-time research for a minimum of 10 months. Ideally, candidates should have some clinical research experience; however, it is more important that they be motivated, hard-working, and eager to learn. Two to three research fellows will be chosen per year. Fellows will have a research base at either University of Washington (in Seattle) or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (in New York City). Working remotely may also be accommodated on a case-by-case basis.

Funding (FY 2024-2025)

The stipend is approximately $36,400 for 12 months. In addition, funds to travel to one conference or meeting to present research may be provided.

Application Process

Please email the following materials to [email protected]:

• 300-word personal statement describing your interest in the program and prior research experience. Please also indicate what specialty you are considering for your residency application.
• CV including medical school grades, USMLE Step scores (if available), and contact information for 2 references
• Preference for location in Seattle (University of Washington) or New York City (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

The deadline for applications is December 31, 2024 but are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified soon thereafter for a videoconference interview, and decisions will be provided no later than February 1, 2025.

For general questions about the program, please contact [email protected].

Disclosure: Dr. Gillespie is a co-founder and editor-in-chief for eContour.

Integrative Medicine Fellowship

Established in 1999, the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is home to the nation’s first and largest program in integrative oncology. Integrative oncology is a “patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional cancer treatments.” Its goals are to “optimize health, quality of life, and clinical outcomes across the cancer care continuum and to empower people to prevent cancer and become active participants before, during, and beyond cancer treatment” (Witt et al. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr, 2017). We are offering a one-year clinical research fellowship to individuals who are board-eligible or board-certified in internal medicine or family medicine and have a strong career interest in integrative oncology.

Each year, we provide hundreds of integrative oncology consultations to patients and survivors of all cancer types and stages. We draw from the latest science to provide evidence-based recommendations on nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, dietary supplements, and other complementary therapies. In addition to consultations, we offer a wide range of complementary therapies, including acupuncture, massage therapy, dance and music therapies, and mindfulness-based interventions. When safe and appropriate, we also prescribe quality-tested herbs and supplements through our herbal pharmacy program, the first of its kind at an academic cancer center. Interactive fitness and mind-body classes are available online to patients and their families through our Integrative Medicine @ Home program, which currently has over 500 active members. We continue to implement novel care delivery models and partner with community organizations to improve access to integrative therapies among underserved patient populations. Through our training program, fellows will become equipped with a versatile toolkit of complementary therapies and lifestyle modification strategies to improve clinical outcomes in cancer populations.

Our clinical services are complemented by a highly productive research program. Our researchers
have a long and successful track record of securing grant funding from the National Institutes of
 Health, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and the Department of Defense. We have 
conducted clinical trials on acupuncture, massage, music therapy, yoga, and mindfulness-based 
interventions, including several studies that are currently active and ongoing. The findings from our
 studies have helped inform clinical guidelines from leading cancer organizations, including the
 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Fellows are strongly encouraged to participate in research to help advance the evidence base of this growing field.

In addition to clinical and research responsibilities, fellows will have the opportunity to contribute 
to various educational initiatives. Each year, over a dozen medical students, interns, and residents
 rotate through our service to learn about integrative oncology. We also precept interns from 
acupuncture and music therapy training programs. Our award-winning About Herbs website
 provides comprehensive, up-to-date, and evidence-based information about herbs, supplements,
 and complementary therapies for the public, generating over two million hits per year from 200
 countries around the world. We offer several online courses on oncology acupuncture, traditional
 Chinese herbal formulas, and integrative oncology.

Through these clinical, research, and educational opportunities, fellows will graduate with a 
rigorous foundation in integrative oncology.