Meet the Program Director
Dukagjin Blakaj, MD, PhD
About Ohio State’s CNS Fellowship
The Department of Radiation Oncology at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) has experienced unprecedented growth over the last several years. With this growth, we are excited offer an Adult & Pediatric CNS fellowship. The fellowship will focus primarily on CNS, but there will be opportunities to learn other areas of radiation oncology as well.
The OSUCCC – James features a National Cancer Institute (NCI) – designated comprehensive center aligned with a nationally ranked academic medical center and a freestanding cancer hospital on the campus of one of the nation’s largest public universities. In 2020, the NCI gave the OSUCCC – James a perfect score of 10 and the NCI’s highest descriptor, “exceptional,” following a site review that resulted in Ohio State’s re-designation as a comprehensive cancer center—a designation the university has competitively maintained since 1976. The OSUCCC – James is a transformational facility that integrates scientific research, education and innovative patient care. Learn more about the OSUCCC – James.
The CNS Radiation Oncology Department is one of the busiest services in the country, averaging over 750 total patients treated in a given year, with over 10,300 stereotactic treatment fractions delivered over the past three fiscal years. Today, RT remains an important treatment modality option in all stages of CNS cancers in the definitive, adjuvant, recurrent and setting. Recently our department acquired the technology to develop a “FLASH” IOERT program. We are currently working with pre-clinical models in rodents as well as higher vertebrate models in collaboration with our veterinary school for canine, feline and equine patients. We are excited to announce that we will have FLASH proton therapy and IOERT FLASH therapy for research purposes available in 2024, and we are working on receiving IDE approval from FDA for human clinical trials. This will bring new research and treatment opportunities for our cancer patient population.
With this growth, we are excited to offer a CNS-Pediatric fellowship. The fellowship will focus primarily on CNS and pediatric oncology. The fellowship will provide ample opportunity to learn how best to treat CNS, skull base, spine and pediatric patients, particularly in definitive, metastatic, adjuvant, re-irradiation, recurrent/persistent disease settings, in addition to research opportunities. The CNS Oncology Program has an extensive gamma knife patient database and is currently working on expanding a detailed Linac stereotactic and conventional treatments as well. There will be opportunities on funding for clinical and translational research.
Program Overview
The fellow will learn the pathologic and radiographic characteristics, patterns of spread and natural history of primary and metastatic brain tumors, skull base tumors and spinal cord tumors while gaining an understanding of the anatomy of the nervous system. Attendance in the operating room for various brain/spine tumor surgeries is encouraged. Competence in the use and interpretation of diagnostic imaging and neuropathology as they pertain to the evaluation of brain/skull base/spinal cord tumors and effects after treatment as well as the appropriate management for patients with primary malignant, metastatic and benign CNS tumors. This includes familiarity with both the surgical and systemic therapy aspects of care. Competence in radiation therapy planning and delivery for neurological diseases, including use of fluoroscopic and CT simulation, MRI assisted target definitions and the use of 3D conformal radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy will be expected. From a set up perspective competence in the use of various immobilization strategies and treatment verification systems will be expected.
Fellows must become competent in understanding the appropriate applications of each treatment planning and delivery technique, with additional training in Proton Radiation Techniques and Carbon Ion Radiation Therapies with adjunct faculty from our collaborators in Japan. Fellows need to know how to define treatment targets and provide basic instructions for beam arrangements to guide dosimetric planning. S/he will become knowledgeable about the relevant medical literature, learn how to identify and critique the relevant literature and learn how to integrate it into practice. As part of this, fellows will become knowledgeable regarding treatment outcomes so that these can be discussed with the patient, family and primary care and other involved physicians. The expectation will also include familiarity with ongoing clinical research trials available to patients with these malignancies, become familiar with the incidence, presentation and management of acute and late adverse effects of radiation therapy to the nervous system.
By the end of the first year, the fellow will have mastered and refined all special techniques used in the department and will specifically focus on the use of radiation therapy in the context of CNS oncology. The fellow will thoroughly understand the role of all CNS oncological specialties, surgical or medical, and the special needs of the very young (pediatric), elderly, minority, and incarcerated patient populations. S/he will be able to manage the special needs of any patient and will understand how emotional, spiritual, or economic assistance can be offered utilizing resources within the department, The James, and broader community.
Sample Training Schedule
|
|
July-September | October-December | January-March | April-June |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CNS Adult | CNS Pediatric | SBRT Spine / Base of Skull / Procedural | Research |
| Year 2 (Optional) | CNS Adult | CNS Pediatric | Elective / Procedural | Research |
Goals and Objectives of Training
- To learn appropriate methods and collection of data in support of a diagnosis of treatment of cancer patients with Radiation Therapy.
- To learn appropriate uses of radiation oncology therapies targeted for these diseases.
- To learn appropriate preventative measures used in the treatment of these conditions and complications of therapies.
- To learn the essentials of clinical investigation relevant to clinically-oriented questions in radiation therapy and relevant to translation of basic patient-oriented research.
- To learn to identify finding relevant to diagnosis and management of patients with cancer and as it relates to the use of radiation therapy in the management of the disease.
- To provide guidance and teaching to residents and medical students in the disease site.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates for the position should have successfully completed an ACGME accredited residency in Radiation Oncology by the start date of the fellowship and be Board Certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Radiology. The start date is July 1, however, the starting date is negotiable. If a fellow wishes for consideration to start at a date other than July 1, please contact the Education Manager. Exceptional international applicants who have completed a radiation oncology training program will be considered provided they can obtain a valid US medical license, and ECFMG certification for training outside the US (requires completion of USMLE 1 and USMLE 2 exams). ECFMG certification is also required for visa sponsorship, if applicable. The Ohio State Department of Radiation Oncology will gladly accept a J-1, F-1, or TN visa. If this is not available, an H-1B visa will be considered.
- Applicants must be able to secure the appropriate visa for the appointment.
- Must be fluent in the English language.
- Must complete an application.
- Must provide current curriculum vitae indicating prior training, research and publications.
- Must provide copy of current transcript from medical or clinical training school.
Please note: All applicants must be able to obtain a full and unrestricted license in the state of Ohio prior to starting the fellowship.
Application Process
We are currently accepting applications for 2025-2026.
- Each applicant is responsible for ensuring their application is complete.
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all information and supporting documents provided are authentic and accurate.
- We reserve the right to request additional information or verification of information and documents submitted. If an applicant is unable to do so, we reserve the right to withdraw consideration of the application.
- Applicants assume all costs associated with authenticating, retrieving and submitting documents and material in support of their application.
Application Requirements
- Completed application form
- Current CV
- Personal Statement (one page, articulating the candidate’s interest in the fellowship)
- Digital Photo
- 3 letters of Recommendation (from clinical and/or research mentors, including one from the fellow’s residency director)
- USMLE Scores (Step 1-3)
- ECFMG Certification (if applicable)
Please email above documentation to Marcie Sparks at Marcie.Sparks@osumc.edu.
Letters of Recommendation can be emailed to the address above, or mailed to:
The Ohio State University Department of Radiation Oncology
c/o Marcie Sparks
460 West 10th Avenue, 2nd floor – Suite D252
Columbus, OH 43210
Contact Us
460 W. 10th Ave.
Suite D252D
Columbus, OH 43210
For additional information regarding the fellowship program and for all other inquiries please contact the Department of Radiation Oncology Education Coordinator:
Marcie Sparks
Phone: 614-814-1224
Email: Marcie.Sparks@osumc.edu
NOTES:
Additional Salary Information: negotiable; based on experience and education. All stipends are set by The Ohio State University Graduate Medical Education.
The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.