Scholarly Activity

Fellows are required to complete at least one in-depth scholarly project during their fellowship. All fellows are expected to present their findings at a national meeting and at Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Research Days Conference. Finally, all projects are expected to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication by completion of training. Additionally, fellows are expected to present and publish at minimum a case report, a case series, and their quality improvement project.

Scholarly Oversight Committee (SOC) and Research Task Force

Fellows have 3 weeks set aside in the spring of their 1st year dedicated to exploring their research interests. The research task force surveys the first-year fellows, identifying prior experience and current interests and then pairs each fellow with potential mentors and projects. Fellows then meet with potential mentors and complete the research core curriculum. Prior to completion of the first year of fellowship, fellows will have identified their project and scholarship oversight committee (SOC). The SOC provides ongoing mentoring, guidance, and assistance in the entire process of project development to manuscript submission. The SOC is responsible for formally reviewing the scholarly activity progress in a semi-annual review and determining the fellow has satisfactorily met the American Board of Pediatrics guidelines.

Improvement academy

This course is required for all 2nd year PHO fellows with the goal to learn and apply tools and techniques that are effective in Quality Improvement. The fellows meet with the director of Hem/Onc Quality Improvement to develop and implement a project during training. A quality improvement project must be completed by the end of fellowship training and be presented at a local and national meeting.

Principles and Biostatistics Course

This course is offered to all CMH fellows and consists of monthly required lectures during the 2nd year of fellowship, structured to increase the fellow’s knowledge of statistical procedures and analysis as it applies to the medical field.

Grant Writing Course

Fellows participate in a grant writing workshop and are paired with a faculty mentor to develop and write a grant. There are opportunities to apply for fellow-specific grants available from the hospital as well as the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center Auxiliary, in addition to regional and national grants. Our fellows have been successful in applying for and receiving both internally and externally funded grants.