V-SYMPHONY Career Development Series: A Collaboration to Enhance Professional Awareness for Pediatric Hematology Oncology Trainees

Authors

Adit L. Tal, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
Kayleen A. Bailey, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Alexander Chou, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York Presbyterian, New York, New York, USA.
Katharine Offer, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA.
Jeremy Rosenblum, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.Follow
Scott Moerdler, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
Megan Askew, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian, New York, New York, USA.
Stephen Roberts, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
Anshul Vagrecha, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cohen Children's Medical Center Northwell Health, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University, Long Island, New York, USA.
Andrea Orsey, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
Gabriel Robbins, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, NYU Langone Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Prakash Satwani, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian, New York, New York, USA.
Joanna Pierro, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University, Staten Island, New York, USA.
Jennifer Levine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York Presbyterian, New York, New York, USA.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

Pediatric Blood & Cancer

First Page

e30118

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2023

Department

Pediatrics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A recent survey of pediatric hematology oncology (PHO) physicians identified that a majority believe fellows are struggling to find jobs that align with their goals. Career development for trainees has historically been home institution-specific, limiting fellows' exposures to career path possibilities. The "virtual-Symposium of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology of New York (v-SYMPHONY)" instituted a tristate Career Development Series for PHO trainees to better address their needs and increase awareness of the variety of PHO career opportunities. PROCEDURE: The v-SYMPHONY Career Development Series incorporated three sessions: (a) institutional perspective, (b) individual perspectives, and (c) nuts and bolts of job search. Pre- and post-series surveys were administered to participants to measure impact. RESULTS: Forty-one fellows registered for the series and completed a pre-survey. Over half (54%) were in their third or later year of fellowship. Careers with a clinical focus were the most commonly desired career path (59%). Most had received career development advice only from faculty within their institutions (90%). Post-surveys were completed by 11 PHO fellows. Overall, 100% of respondents reported benefiting from the career sessions and recommended the series should be repeated annually. Over 90% learned new information to prepare for the job search. CONCLUSIONS: The v-SYMPHONY Career Development Series for PHO fellows across multiple institutions was established and was extremely well received by its participants. PHO fellows agreed that these sessions were beneficial in helping prepare them for the job search process. An annual regional Career Development Series is feasible and is strongly suggested to support PHO fellows.

Recommended Citation

Tal, A. L., Bailey, K. A., Chou, A., Offer, K., Rosenblum, J., Moerdler, S., Askew, M., Roberts, S., Vagrecha, A., Orsey, A., Robbins, G., Satwani, P., Pierro, J., & Levine, J. (2023). V-SYMPHONY Career Development Series: A Collaboration to Enhance Professional Awareness for Pediatric Hematology Oncology Trainees. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 70 (3), e30118. https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.30118