Cancer Rehabilitation Fellowship Program
A MedStar Health physical therapy associate helps a patient develop upper body strength.


The MedStar Health- Georgetown/National Rehabilitation Hospital Fellowship Program in Cancer Rehabilitation

There are approximately 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States today. The ability of cancer treatments to save or extend lives is improving rapidly. However, many of these survivors are left with long term functional problems related to cancer and cancer treatments. This fellowship program will give the physiatrist expertise in the functional, musculoskeletal, and neuromuscular complications of cancer and cancer treatment. The graduate of this fellowship will become an expert in cancer related pain syndromes, cancer related fatigue, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, radiation fibrosis, head/neck cancer rehabilitation, cancer related cognitive disorders, and lymphedema/swelling disorders.

 

Why train here

Training will include:

  • Palliative care experience

  • Experiences with radiation oncology, oncology, plastic surgery, and surgical oncology

  • Working alongside expert physical therapists in cancer rehabilitation

  • Working with NCI designated comprehensive cancer center, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, a MedStar Health research academic partner

  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound

  • Procedural experience including botulinum toxin injections, joint/soft tissue injections, nerve blocks

  • Electrodiagnosis

  • Cancer rehabilitation program development

Curriculum

Will work in outpatient cancer rehabilitation clinics at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital throughout the year.

The fellow will also have experiences rotating in the following areas:

  • outpatient cancer rehabilitation (primary)
  • medical oncology
  • palliative care
  • radiation oncology
  • surgical oncology (with opportunities to go to the operating room)
  • plastic surgery (with opportunities to go to the operating room)
  • pediatric cancer rehabilitation at Children’s National Medical Center
  • cancer fitness evaluation
  • cancer nutrition
  • physical/occupational/speech therapy
  • inpatient consultations
  • inpatient rehabilitation
  • wound care

Cancer rehabilitation outpatient experience will include the evaluation and management of cancer-related functional, musculoskeletal, and neuromuscular impairments including: cancer related pain syndromes, cancer related fatigue, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, radiation fibrosis, head/neck cancer rehabilitation, cancer related cognitive disorders, and lymphedema/swelling disorders. In addition, the fellow will gain experience in the use of diagnostic and interventional neuromusculoskeletal ultrasound. Procedural experience will include the use of cancer specific injection techniques such as nerve blocks and the use of botulinum toxin for radiation fibrosis, postmastectomy pain, trismus, and cervical dystonia.

Didactic experiences will include:

  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound workshops
  • Weekly cancer rehabilitation didactics and program development
  • Interdisciplinary tumor boards
  • Opportunities for teaching PM&R residents and medical students
  • Cancer related conference attendance
  • Sessions on cancer rehabilitation program development
  • The fellowship will also include a mandatory research/scholarly component.

Our People

Cancer Rehabilitation Fellowship Program Director: Dr. Katherine Power
Cancer Rehabilitation Medical Director:
Dr. Eric Wisotzky
Current Cancer Rehab Fellow:
Dr. Eileen Slavin


Application Information

The program is open to applicants who are board certified or board eligible in physical medicine and rehabilitation. 

The application deadline is August 1st of the year prior to a July 1 start date.

 

Contact Us

For more information, please contact:

Sharon Canty
Fellowship Coordinator

at 202-877-1860

or via email at NRH-CancerFellowship@MedStar.net.