Supportive Oncology
The Supportive Oncology Academic Fellowship at the Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) Department of Supportive Oncology is designed to train the next generation of physician leaders with expertise in the emerging field of Supportive Oncology. LCI provides cutting-edge cancer care in community academic hybrid setting with 25+ locations throughout the region.
The comprehensive post-graduate academic year offers the advantage of a guided learning experience and direct patient care. Fellows will have half day continuity clinic experiences throughout the year. The fellow has exposure to the care of oncology patients primarily in the outpatient setting with rotations in subspecialized clinics, as well as inpatient experience via the rapid access service.
The curriculum allows the fellow to cultivate broad knowledge of the multidisciplinary approach to supportive care in cancer. The clinical rotations provide a variety of experiences within the supportive oncology setting. In addition to supportive oncology specialties, the fellow will have the opportunity to engage in oncology subspecialities.
The fellow participates in weekly didactic lectures, grand rounds, research meeting, and journal club, and has a half day protected research time. The department’s research strategy centers around four thematic areas: Malnutrition and Inflammation, Psycho-Oncology, Cardio-Oncology, and Cancer Pain and Opioids. Each area has a research taskforce, which is comprised of subject matter experts from the department, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health and strategic partners within the community. The purpose of each taskforce is to establish partnerships and develop research projects.
Where You Will Train
Center for Supportive Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Building 2
The 7th floor of LCI Building 2 is devoted entirely to supportive oncology services and is the largest amount of square footage devoted to supportive oncology in the world. In addition to the rehabilitation gym and palliative medicine infusion suite, the space houses an acupuncture suite and spaces for massage therapy and healing touch.
Features of the floor include a suite of conference rooms that overlook the Charlotte skyline; these rooms host administrative meetings, support groups, classes and other activities. There are nourishment stations with beverages and snacks positioned throughout the suite for use by patients, visitors and staff.
Regional locations:
Levine Cancer Institute, Supportive Oncology – Pineville
Levine Cancer Institute – University
Levine Cancer Institute – Concord
Levine Cancer Institute – Monroe
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) honored Levine Cancer Institute as North Carolina’s only Designated Center of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care. ESMO only bestows this honor on “cancer centers which provide comprehensive services in supportive and palliative care as part of their routine care” and who achieve a “high standard of integration” in doing so. Care is a team effort at LCI, whose supportive oncology team works in concert with the medical oncology team to provide the highest level of care for all patients. LCI joins only four other cancer centers in the United States as well as over 200 sites worldwide to be so recognized.
Meet The Faculty
Program Director: Declan Walsh, MD, Hemby Family Endowed Chair in Supportive Oncology – Palliative Medicine
Chasse Bailey-Dorton, MD – Integrative Oncology
Armida Parala-Metz, MD – Senior Oncology
Vishwa Raj, MD – Cancer Rehabilitation
Alicia Romeo, PhD – Psycho-Oncology
Thomas Rapisardo, MD – Survivorship / Cardio-Oncology
Program Curriculum
The Department of Supportive Oncology is an integrated, multidisciplinary team with 163 teammates and 30 medical staff that provides support to Levine Cancer Institute patients through an array of innovative programs and services. In keeping with the LCI philosophy of world class cancer care for every community, the Department of Supportive Oncology has developed programs across the region, beginning with foundational services while building up to subspecialty medical care delivered both in person and virtually.
Continuity Clinic
Weekly half-day continuity clinic in the Department of Supportive Oncology, housed in a section appropriate to fellow clinical training.
Outpatient Clinic
Rotations in the Department of Supportive Oncology sections:
- Oncology Palliative Medicine
- Integrative Oncology
- Senior Oncology
- Cancer Navigation
- Cancer Nutrition
- Cancer Rehabilitation
- Psycho-Oncology
- Survivorship
- Cardio-Oncology
- Elective
Rapid Access Consult Service
One full day per week seeing patients in a comprehensive, cancer-focused, on-demand consultation service for adult cancer patients with poorly controlled symptoms.
Didactic Series
Weekly lectures present a wide variety of topics to Levine Cancer Institute fellows.
Departmental Grand Rounds
Supportive Oncology Departmental Grand Rounds are held every Thursday at 8 a.m. Each of our sections and guest speakers have opportunities to educate the attendees with current information about the state of research as well as best clinical practices on how to treat cancer patients from the presenter’s area of expertise. Fellows are expected to present.
Departmental Research Meeting
Supportive Oncology Research Meetings are held very Friday at 8 a.m. It serves as a space to collaborate and review research concepts and protocol development, and also allows for multidisciplinary feedback on abstract, poster and manuscript submissions.
Levine Cancer Institute Grand Rounds
Monthly Levine Cancer Institute Grand Rounds routinely hosts regionally and nationally known experts to present on a wide variety of topics.
Journal Club
Weekly Department of Supportive Oncology Journal Club provides a forum for both trainees and faculty to discuss new developments as well as landmark principles that form the basis of current practice.
Protected research time
Weekly half day protected research time. The Department of Supportive Oncology’s research strategy centers around four thematic areas: Malnutrition and Inflammation, Psycho-Oncology, Cardio-Oncology, and Cancer Pain and Opioids. Each area has a research task force, which is comprised of subject matter experts from the department, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health and strategic partners within the community.
Resiliency Training
Led by a Department of Supportive Oncology Psychologist (PhD), this ASCO developed Resiliency Training for LCI Fellows is comprised of an 8-week bootcamp series and quarterly maintenance program.
Schwartz Rounds
A unique conference series based on the work of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare is offered every other month. The case-based, interactive conference provides trainees and staff from all disciplines to reflect on the emotional aspects of their work. Discussions lead to improved insight, understanding, and connection amongst members of the healthcare team.
Application Requirements:
Currently accepting applications for a summer 2021 start. To learn more, or to submit required application materials for confidential consideration, please contact: LCISupportiveOncology@AtriumHealth.org. Include in Subject Line: Supportive Oncology Fellowship.
- Curriculum Vitae
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- 500-word Personal Statement
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at a minimum, first round interviews will be conducted virtually.