Transfusion Medicine Fellowship

The program is a one-year integrated, comprehensive training program addressing all aspects of Transfusion Medicine (TM). The program prepares trainees for careers in academic Transfusion Medicine, direction of a major transfusion service and/or operation of a regional blood collection-processing facility. The program is funded by the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and utilizes the facilities of University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics (UWHC), American Red Cross (ARC) Blood Services-Badger-Hawkeye Region, the Wm. S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital, and Meriter/Park, a large nearby community hospital. Training progresses in a logical manner, from fundamental TM concepts to applied TM, with increasing clinical and administrative training and responsibility throughout the fellowship period. A reading/study program is provided in each area and includes regular discussion sessions with program mentors. Opportunities for involvement in a research project are available and are encouraged. On completion of this program and other standard requirements, the fellow will be eligible to write the sub-specialty examination in Blood Banking of the American Board of Pathology.

Orientation Phase (Four-Six Weeks)

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
UWHC is a nationally recognized teaching institution and tertiary care center. The 488 bed hospital includes 21 inpatient care units, 20 operating suites, six intensive care units, a regional trauma center and the latest advances in technology to serve the needs of more than 300,000 outpatients and nearly 16,000 inpatients yearly. The TM fellow's initial experience will be an orientation to Transfusion Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. The phase includes an introduction to (A) the UWHC Transfusion Service; (B) daily transfusion rounds; (C) peer review of blood product use; (D) clinical TM; (E) TM-related medicine conferences and (F) research.

Fundamental Transfusion Medicine Phase (One Month)

American Red Cross Blood Service, Badger-Hawkeye Region
The fundamental phase of the program is based primarily at the American Red Cross Blood Services - Badger-Hawkeye Region. This is a premier facility of the Red Cross and is the 13th largest blood center in the American Red Cross System. It serves 83 hospitals in four states and has an operating budget of $14 million. The center includes a donor room, an apheresis department, processing laboratory, components laboratory, histocompatibility (HLA) laboratory, red cell reference lab, frozen tissue bank, and areas for blood storage and distribution.

Applied Transfusion Medicine Phase (Six Months)

In the final period, greater emphasis will be placed on clinical transfusion medicine, research administration, and physician education. This period of training will occur primarily at UWHC. The fellow will be on call to the ARC Blood Services for problems of special interest and will also participate in the night and weekend call schedule for TM at UWHC.

Optional Learning Experiences

SE Wisconsin Blood Center Platelet Antibody Lab
This world class laboratory types for platelet specific antigens and performs assays to detect platelet antibodies in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, alloimmunization, post-transfusion purpura, and drug-induced immunologic thrombocytopenia and related platelet abnormalities.
UW Special Coagulation Lab
This laboratory performs functional clotting factor assays, tests of coagulation inhibitors, functional and immunological assays for regulators of coagulation (antithrombin III, protein C, protein S), tests of the fibrinolytic system (including: fibrin degradation products, D-dimer, plasminogen, a2antiplasmin inhibitor), testing for von Willebrand's disease (von Willebrand factor antigen and ristocetin cofactor activity), and evaluation of platelet function (platelet aggregometry).
ARC Hemophilia Home Care Program
The Madison affiliate of the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation program has a patient population of 106 with a registered patient population of 80. Health care related to hemophiliacs is provided on a referral basis under a cooperative agreement with UWHC.
UW Flow Cytometry Lab
This laboratory supports clinical and research needs. In the clinical area, it evaluates phenotypic markers, B lymphocytes subsets, leukemic cells, and lymphomas.
Graduate Courses
Many offerings relevant to TM are available through the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin including genetics, immunology, molecular biology, membrane physiology, biochemistry, health service administration, medical economics, etc.

Requirements:	Candidates for this program must be certified or eligible for certification by a major board, such as pathology, medicine, pediatrics, etc. They must also hold a license or be eligible for licensure to practice medicine in the State of Wisconsin.
Stipends:	Salary is commensurate with the year of postgraduate training. There is a $500 book allowance, 15 days vacation, and $1,500 for presentation of a paper at a national meeting.
Applications:	Gloria Martin Phone: 608.263.6043 gr.martin@hosp.wisc.edu Download Application