About the Program
UCSF is a recognized world leader in developing innovative solutions to health care delivery problems. This culture of innovation has led to the development of a UCSF APP Fellowship to address the ongoing need for qualified Hematology and Oncology Advanced Practice Providers.
The application deadline is March 3, 2025. See below for application information. For questions or more information, email [email protected].
Information sessions will be held December 10, 2024 from 4-5 pm, and January 14, 2025 from 6-7 pm. To learn more, please download our flyer.
UCSF also offers a Surgical and Critical Care APP Fellowship and an ER APP Fellowship.
Our Fellowship Program
Our fellowship program is an opportunity for 3 novice APPs to complete a rigorous twelve-month program providing over 2000 total hours of cancer-based training with didactic and focused clinical rotations including:
- An onboarding didactic introduction to cancer from staging to end of life, providing a foundation of knowledge for fellowship clinical rotations
- Seven six-week specialty rotations customized for each candidate with a longitudinal clinical placement including:
- Hematology, medical, surgical, and radiation oncology
- Inpatient and ambulatory settings, including infusion
- Multiple UCSF locations
- The final rotation will be based on candidate identification of specialty areas of long-term interest
- Completion and presentation of a scholarly project
Mentorship
Cancer Services APP Fellows will be mentored by seasoned UCSF Hematology and Oncology Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants with oversight by UCSF’s Associate Chief of Advanced Practice and a distinguished roster of faculty with input from Cancer Center leadership and stakeholders.
APP Fellows will receive performance feedback framed in practice-based knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Timeline and Application Information
Key Dates in 2025
March 3: Application deadline
March - April: Application review
April 21 and 22: Zoom or in-person interviews
Late April - Early May: Candidate notification (Successful applicants will have ONE week from receipt to accept the offer)
May - October: Licensing and credentialing
November 1: Program start
Application Form
Required Supporting Documentation
- Letter of interest (maximum of one page)
- Resume/CV
- Two (2) letters of professional recommendation, one from each of the following:
- A graduate Professor or a current supervisor
- APP clinical preceptor
- Personal Statement reflecting on your professional goals.
Please address each of the following. Maximum of 250 words per question.- UCSF is committed to increasing diversity and promoting a culture of equal opportunity. Please describe your awareness of, or experience with, inequalities and challenges faced by historically underrepresented or economically disadvantaged groups. How does your experience or background contribute to UCSF’s commitment to increasing diversity and promoting a culture of equal opportunity?
- A philosophy of healthcare practice is a statement that outlines your values, ethics, beliefs, and/or motivation for being part of the profession. It covers your perspective regarding your education, practice, and patient care ethics. Please describe one tenet that is central to your philosophy of healthcare practice and how you approach patient care.
- Please describe your motivation for seeking training through the UCSF Cancer Services APP fellowship. Consider: What has inspired your interest in pursuing a career in hematology and/or oncology? What do you hope to gain from the program?
Submission Guidelines
Please submit your application with supporting documentation no later than March 3, 2025 to [email protected].
Physician Assistant Requirements
Fellowship Requirements
- Master's or doctoral degree from an accredited physician assistant program (earned within 18 months of the fellowship start date)
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Demonstrated excellence in scholarship, communication, leadership, problem resolution, and teaching
Before Hire
- Current PA certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Current and unencumbered physician assistant (PA) licensure by the Physician Assistant Board of California
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration for Schedules 2, 2N, 3, 3N, 4, and 5 within California
Nurse Practitioner Requirements
Fellowship Requirements
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Demonstrated excellence in scholarship, communication, leadership, problem resolution, and teaching
Before Hire
- Graduation from an accredited NP program (earned or pending) earned in the previous 18 months prior to the fellowship start date
- Current RN and NP licensure by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- California furnishing license upon start
- Adult or Family APRN National Board Certification from ANCC (AGACNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, FNP-BC), AACN (ACNPC-AG, ACNPC), or AANP (AGNP-C, FNP-C)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration for Schedules 2, 2N, 3, 3N, 4, and 5 within California
Any employment offer with UCSF is contingent on the following:
- Successful background check
- A health clearance through UCSF Occupational Health department
- A negative substance abuse screening test
- Verification of any documents required for the position
- Verification of identity and eligibility to work in the USA
- The completion of the new hire process, including all required paperwork
- Credentialing process via the UCSF Medical Staff Services Office.
What is the UCSF Cancer Services APP Fellowship Program?
The UCSF Cancer Services APP Fellowship Program is a 12-month formal postgraduate program that functions to bridge the gap in APP education and clinical practice experience. The Cancer Services APP Fellowship aims to provide APPs with subspecialty education and skills in comprehensive oncology care that are not routinely taught in graduate programs and often require extensive on-the-job training.
When is the program offered?
The Cancer Services APP Fellowship is a 12-month program. It runs from November 1st – October 31st of each calendar year.
How many fellowship positions are available?
We are hoping to enroll three fellows for the 2025-2026 class.
Who is eligible to apply to the Fellowship program?
The UCSF Cancer Services APP Fellowship is focused on novice APPs and requires that APPs apply within 18 months of their graduation date. We are currently accepting the following APRN specialties: Adult or Family APRN National Board Certification from ANCC (AGACNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, FNP-BC), AACN (ACNPC-AG, ACNPC), or AANP (AGNP-C, FNP-C).
At which locations do APP fellows work?
UCSF Cancer Services APP Fellows will do clinical rotations at all three of our main sites in San Francisco (Parnassus Heights, Mission Bay, Mt. Zion). In addition, fellows may rotate at our community satellite sites in Berkeley and San Mateo.
What is a day-to-day schedule like and how many hours do APP fellows work per week?
The day-to-day schedule will vary based on the needs of difference clinical sites so each clinical rotation will have some variation. In general, APP fellows will work approximately 45-50 hours a week with 40 hours dedicated to clinical care of patients and 10 hours dedicated to didactic learning.
Do APP fellows rotate through inpatient and outpatient settings?
Yes – APP Fellows will rotate through both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Is this APP fellowship program accredited?
Yes, the program is accredited with distinction by APPFA (Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Association). The UCSF APP Cancer Services APP Fellowship renewed its accreditation in 2024 and received accreditation with distinction.
Can I apply prior to having a licensure or board exam results?
Yes! However, you will be required to have CA licensure and board accreditation prior to the November 1st start date. We recommend sitting for your board exam and applying for California licensure no later than July 31st, 2025.
Does the fellowship program lead to continued employment at MSK upon graduation?
All APP Fellows who are in good standing within the fellowship program are eligible to apply for full time openings during the last quarter of their fellowship although employment is not guaranteed.
Do APP fellows receive benefits?
Yes, APP fellows are eligible for full benefits.
Current and Past Fellows
Justin Biddle, AGNP
Justin is an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and former palliative care registered nurse. He is passionate about integrating supportive care principles into his oncology practice to enhance patient-centered care and promote quality of life throughout his patients' treatment course.
Kathryn Bucknell, MSN, RN, AGNP-C
Kathryn is eager to pursue a career as an oncology nurse practitioner. She has a solid background in oncology clinical research and a keen interest in holistic, trauma-informed, and patient-centered care.
Rachel Tungol, ACNP
Rachel is an Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner student at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She has a deep passion for providing compassionate care to oncology patients.
Blair Anderson, MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, UCSF Inpatient Heme/BMT and Cellular Therapies
Katherine Chong, MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, UCSF Cancer Center San Mateo
Heather Coyne, MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, UCSF Urologic Surgery Oncology Clinic
Lauren Karp, MSN, AGACNP
Nurse Practitioner, UCSF Heme/Onc Infusion Center
Riki Przytula, MSN, AGACNP
Nurse Practitioner, UCSF Outpatient Lymphoma Clinc
Hannah Samley, DNP, AG-ACNP
Nurse Practitioner, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center