Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program

Thank you for your interest in the Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green. Our goal is to graduate outstanding clinicians who are well-prepared for careers in a variety of practice settings. Upon completion of our fellowship, you will be adept at treating a wide spectrum of diseases from classical and malignant hematology, including bone marrow transplantation to solid tumor oncology. We recognize the different paths trainees take after graduation and our program has the flexibility to tailor each fellow’s schedule to help them achieve their ultimate career goal of practicing in a community or academic setting. 

Our training is based in the outpatient setting, reflective of most careers post fellowship. Our outpatient clinics are subspecialty-based, and second- and third-year fellows have their own patient panel in the fellow clinic. Our fellows rotate through subspecialty multidisciplinary clinics where new patients are initially seen by medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology. You’ll have the opportunity to rotate through our bone marrow transplant service as well as palliative care, hematopathology and radiation oncology.

Our faculty is dedicated to the education and career development of trainees. Academic scholarship is a critical part of our program. We recognize that each fellow has different career goals and therefore offer a wide range of scholarly activities. We collaborate with each fellow on their clinical, translational, quality, health disparities and/or laboratory-based research interests.

The fellowship is based at Scripps Green Hospital and Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines, but fellows also spend significant time at Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, near downtown. Scripps Mercy San Diego supports a large, underserved population. This provides ample opportunities for fellows to gain exposure to a different patient population, as well as trauma, obstetrics services and consultative hematology.

We strive for our fellows to work and be educated in an environment that values diversity, inclusion and equity in our trainees, faculty, staff and patients.

I look forward to meeting you and having the opportunity to discuss the Scripps Clinic Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program.

Kathryn Bollin, MD 

Director, Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program

Scripps Clinic

I’m delighted that you’re considering the Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green. We have a long and rich history in education, clinical and translational research and subspecialty patient care. Indeed, our focus now more than ever is on building strong subspecialty multi-disciplinary programs encompassing clinics and tumor boards. 

As such, we’re able to offer our fellows an outstanding education in hematology/oncology in every area in the field. Our faculty subspecialize and focus on such areas as breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies, thoracic and head and neck cancers, genitourinary malignancy, gastrointestinal malignancies with a special focus on pancreatic cancer, cutaneous oncology, neuro-oncology, sarcoma, benign hematology, malignant hematology, hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy, and CAR-T.

We’re academically focused, with our faculty producing multiple publications each year. It’s the expectation that all faculty excel in teaching and engage the fellows in clinical research projects. We have active research collaborations with Scripps Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys medical research institute and others. Our main campus is located minutes away from dozens of biomedical institutes, affording ample opportunity for collaboration.

Fellows rotate through several related areas including palliative care, radiation oncology, hematopathology, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and the acute leukemia unit. This is an academic program, which is one of the oldest and most established in the country and has a strong regional presence. For those interested, we offer a third year on the BMT unit focusing on research and clinical care and leading to accreditation in the field.

I look forward to meeting you and discussing the opportunities and strengths of our program in person.

Sincerely,

James R. Mason, MD

Division Head, Hematology and Oncology 

Scripps Clinic Medical Group

Hi there and thanks for your interest in our program!

Looking back, I honestly can’t believe how quickly fellowship has flown by. It feels like just yesterday I was starting, and now I’m only a year away from graduation. What has made this journey so special isn’t just the incredible training — it’s the people, the mentorship and the friendships that have made every step meaningful.

From the start, the Scripps Hematology and Oncology Fellowship makes sure you feel supported. Every first-year fellow is paired with an upper-level co-fellow and an attending mentor, which made a huge difference for me during those first few months. The mentorship here doesn’t just help you clinically — it’s played a huge role for me in career planning and preparing for life after fellowship. The overall atmosphere is welcoming and collegial, and the faculty really go out of their way to make sure you succeed.

One of the best parts of our training is how varied it is. We rotate through two main hospitals — Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla (with beautiful views of the ocean and Torrey Pines Golf Course) and Scripps Mercy Hospital in downtown San Diego — plus clinics throughout La Jolla, Hillcrest, Encinitas, Oceanside and Rancho Bernardo. This setup gives us exposure to a wide range of patient populations and practice settings, making each rotation a new and valuable experience.

If research is something you’re passionate about, there’s support for that too. Through SHARC (Scripps Hub Academic Research Core), fellows get help with IRB submissions, grants, abstracts and manuscripts. Our fellows are given protected time throughout their training allocated for scholarly pursuits.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out! And if you’re invited to interview, you’ll also get access to our program microsite, where you can learn even more about what makes our fellowship such a special place to train.

Warmly,

Cathy Weir, DO

Each hematology and medical oncology fellow has 13 blocks of four-week rotations at different inpatient and outpatient settings each year. This exposes fellows to a variety of patients and educational opportunities. 

First-year fellows

• 0.25 blocks (1 week) of hematopathology
• 6 inpatient blocks at Mercy and Green
• 1 block of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) at Green
• 5.75 blocks at the hematology/oncology outpatient clinic
• ½ day a week of Continuity Clinic (6 months solid tumor oncology and 6 months benign heme clinic) each block

Second-year fellows 

• 2 blocks at BMT at Green
• 9 blocks at the hematology/oncology outpatient clinic
• 1 block of palliative care
• 1 block radiation oncology/proton therapy 
• Research time is integrated into clinical schedule

Third-year fellows 

• Time is divided between hematology/oncology outpatient clinic and research — individualized curriculum based on future career goals.

Second- and third-year fellows

• Fellow continuity clinic — one half-day per week

The fellowship program’s weekly educational series is faculty-led and covers both common and rare hematology and oncology medical conditions as well as supportive care oncology. As leaders in their respective subspecialties, our faculty offers insights on a range of lecture topics. We also have dedicated Classical Hematology/Hematopathology and Pharmacy lectures as well as board review didactics. We have dedicated lectures on QI/patient safety, wellness, bias and diversity topics. Fellows join disease specific multidisciplinary tumor and hematology planning conferences.

Fellows have the opportunity and are encouraged to participate in our GME Sub-Committees including Research, Quality Improvement/Patient Safety, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging as well as Wellness. They participate in both fellowship specific as well as GME-wide programs and initiatives.

View the Weekly Conference Schedule (PDF, 120 KB).

Our experienced team of multidisciplinary physicians are committed to sharing their knowledge and experiences to provide fellows with a rewarding, dynamic training experience. At Scripps Health, we focus on offering patients an individualized cancer care approach while using the latest technologies and treatments in hematology and oncology.

Our faculty includes:

• Sonia Ali, MD
• Munveer Bhangoo, MD
• Kathryn Bollin, MD
• Wesleigh Edwards, MD, PhD 
• Paulette Gabbai-Saldate, MD
• David Hermel, MD
• Mohammed Jaloudi, MD
• James Mason, MD
• Tresa McGranahan, MD
• Emily Nagler, MD
• Farah Nasraty, MD
• Jacob New MD, PhD
• Aditya Sarvaria, MD
• Alan Saven, MD
• Darren Sigal, MD
• Marin Xavier, MD

Fellows in the hematology-oncology program have previously studied across the country and right here in San Diego. Their diverse backgrounds and interests are shaping the future of cancer treatment and cancer research.

View photos of the 2025 fellows. (PDF, 3 MB)

Third-year fellows

Alex Agelidis, MD, PhD

Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago

Recent Residency: Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green Hospital

*Research Track

Roxanne Aleman, MD

Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine

Recent Residency: Advocate Christ Medical Center

Danielle Brazel, MD

Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Recent Residency: University of California, Irvine

Tiffany Kaul, MD, PhD

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Recent Residency: Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green Hospital

*Research Track

Catherine Weir, DO

Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine California

Recent Residency: Cook County Health and Hospital

Shane Wing, MD

Medical School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

Recent Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Second-year Fellows

Shawn Ali, MD

Medical School: University of California, School of Medicine

Recent Residency: USC/Los Angeles General Medical Center

Athira Jayan, MD

Medical School: University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine

Recent Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Bryan Pham, MD

Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine

Recent Residency: Loma Linda University

Danika Scott, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Recent Residency: Scripps Mercy Hospital

First-year Fellows

Arun Dang, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Recent Residency: Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara

Noor Qaddour, DO

Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Recent Residency: Scripps Clinic/Green Hospital

Jessica Sassic, MD

Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Recent Residency: Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego

Terrence Sun, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Recent Residency: Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego/ UCSD Hemostasis and Thrombosis Fellowship

After completion of the three-year program, our fellows have gone on to make significant contributions in the field of hematology and oncology — both in clinical research and in patient care. 

View a list of recent alumni. (PDF, 150 KB)

Fellows in the Scripps Clinic Hematology and Medical Oncology Program are expected to participate in research projects and contribute to medical literature. Our fellows regularly present at major conferences such as ASH and ASCO and have publications in a variety of journals every year.

Scripps Clinic/Green Hospital fellowship pay and benefits:

• PGY IV year - $95,907
• PGY V year - $100,146
• PGY VI year - $104,467
• PGY VII year - $108,751

Salary scale 2025-2026 (PDF, 130 KB)

*Including a housing stipend

Insurance

• Health and dental insurance plans are available for fellows and their dependents for a minimal cost. Fellows may participate in the Scripps Wellness program to reduce their health care premiums. Confidential counseling and psychological support services are available on request.

• Life insurance coverage, up to $1,000,000, is available for fellows and their dependents.

• Long-term disability insurance, at Scripps rates, is available for purchase. State Disability Insurance is paid by the fellow. The State of California requires this contribution.

• Fellows are covered by malpractice insurance while performing services within the scope of their training at Scripps Clinic. The liability limit is $5,000,000 per claim/$5,000,000 annually. Tail coverage is provided.

Educational expenses

Scripps provides an educational expense allowance annually to each fellow for professional meetings and conferences, books and journals, professional dues and other educational expenses.

Vacations and leave

Fellows receive 20 vacation days annually. Six paid sick days are allotted annually. Parental and other leaves of absence follow Scripps policy and California State Law. Substantial absences may necessitate additional rotations to complete training.

Other benefits

• Lab coats and scrubs are provided and laundered by Scripps
• Paid parking in the adjacent gated and covered structure is provided at no cost
• A full-service cafeteria is located in the hospital
• Call rooms are provided
• Scripps Health non-profit 501(c)(3) – Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs

This fellowship program accepts applications through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) in July. The deadline for completed applications is August 15. Virtual interviews will be in September and October.

• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, an ACGME-accredited residency program.
• All licenses, ECFMG certification, and professional certifications are the applicant’s responsibility. 
• Scripps Clinic does not operate its own J-1 or H-1 visa program.
• MUST have a current California Physician’s and Surgeon’s License and DEA certificate by start date. Please see Medical Board of California requirements for licensure.  

To learn more about the Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program at Scripps Clinic, contact Dawn Curtis at 858-554-3200 or curtis.dawn@scrippshealth.org.