Oncology
All SJOA Medical Oncologists are certified in Oncology: the branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Medical Oncologists use chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biologic therapies and other agents to treat cancer and, as appropriate, genetic analyses to design therapies tailored to the specific traits of individual patients’ cancer cells. Medical Oncologists oversee patients’ overall care including referrals to other cancer specialists such as Radiation Oncologists and surgeons when needed.
Training required to achieve certification as a Medical Oncologist includes four years of medical school, a one year internship, two year Internal Medicine fellowship and two year Oncology Fellowship. Before advancing to an Oncology Fellowship, candidates must pass the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Exam in Internal Medicine. Upon completion of an Oncology Fellowship, a second ABIM Certification Exam is required to achieve certification as a Medical Oncologist.
Hematology
Hematology is the branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood. This field of expertise includes both malignant (cancerous) and non-malignant blood diseases including, but not limited to anemias, polycythemia, myelofibrosis, leukemia, lymphomas, bleeding disorders, and myelodysplasia syndrome. Our hematologists stress the importance of not only treating these diseases, but determining the underlying causes that create them. It is here that their extensive experience and training bring a powerful advantage in the successful management of patients’ overall well-being.
Training required to attain Hematology Certification mirrors the oncology training described under the Oncology description, except that the Hematology Fellowship is a one year program. Certification also requires successful completion of the American Board of Internal Medicine Hematology Certification Exam.
All SJOA physicians are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both Oncology and Hematology. This dual certification requires a total of ten years’ specialized training as described above.