Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) efforts are being led by the Graduate Medical Education Subcommittee for ED&I. The purpose of the subcommittee is to increase the recruitment and retention of residents and fellows from underrepresented groups in medicine. The committee is dedicated to developing sustainable initiatives that foster an inclusive work environment for our MSK trainees. The committee meets regularly to:  

• discuss structural barriers to recruitment and retention of diverse trainees  
• develop a multifaceted approach to diversity and inclusion, including a focus on unconscious bias training in curriculum development and inclusive mentorship/sponsorship  
• define meaningful metrics to track progress of diversity and inclusion initiatives in trainee programs.  

Organizationally, MSK has an Office of Diversity Programs which supports initiatives across three core areas including recruiting, retaining and training diverse fellows and residents.

ED&I Training Opportunities 

Nicholls-Biondi Clinical Research Scientist Fellowship 

The Nicholls-Biondi Diversity Clinical Scientist Fellowship seeks to train a diverse group of future leaders in cancer-related research in our two-year clinical research program for underrepresented physicians. Our academic career-development track record is outstanding. 

Clinical Scientist Fellows will be given the opportunity to: 

• receive state-of-the-art mentored clinical research training in their interest area 
• enroll in the Clinical Research Methodology Curriculum 
• complete coursework in Gerstner Sloan Kettering’s Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Cancer Research program 
• attend conferences and DMTs 

Program benefits also include a stipend, housing, and full support for loan repayment programs, if eligible. 

Eligibility Criteria 

• self-identified underrepresented minority status 
• just completed a formal ACGME-certified (or equivalent) training program in the U.S. 
• board eligible or board-certified in respective discipline 
• seeking a career in academic medicine, specifically in cancer-related research 
• willing to commit to at least two additional years of formal research training 
• internal/external candidates both considered 

* Surgery residents desiring two years of oncology research embedded within their residency are also eligible. 

Ferguson Nazareth Diversity Clinical Scholars Program

The Ferguson Nazareth Diversity Clinical Scholars Program was created to offer residents who identify as part of an underrepresented group in medicine, as defined by the National Institutes of Health and Association of American Medical Colleges, an opportunity to gain exposure to the various cancer-related disciplines at MSK through a visiting elective.

Applicants will be named a Ferguson Nazareth Diversity Clinical Scholar and be provided a $2,500 stipend to help cover the cost of travel and living expenses. Provision of MSK housing is subject to availability/eligibility. In the event housing is not available, an additional housing stipend will be offered.

Currently available electives for medical residents are highlighted below and will be updated as new opportunities are created. Please note that up to 10 residents across departments will be accepted into this program per year. For medical student electives, please visit our Medical Student Opportunities page. 

Hematology and Medical Oncology

The Hematology and Medical Oncology elective is designed for internal medicine residents to apply for an outpatient clinical elective within the Department of Medicine. This elective offers applicants the opportunity to rotate at a top cancer center with exposure to the various and rare cancer related-disciplines treated at MSK. The four-week elective will consist of outpatient rotations through our varied subspecialty services within hematology and medical oncology; participation in lectures, seminars, and conferences geared towards resident and fellow learners; and assignment of a peer and faculty mentor.

Applicants must be a part of an internal medicine residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) within the United States and be in their second or third year of training.

Oncologic Imaging 

The Oncologic Imaging elective is a four-week elective in the Department of Radiology for second-year radiology residents (PGY-3). Trainees will gain exposure to the field of oncologic imaging and opportunities within the field, including MSK’s fellowship programs, while rotating through subspecialities based on their interests and availability— body, breast, neuroradiology, interventional radiology, and molecular imaging and imaging therapeutics. They will also participate in lectures, seminars, and conferences geared toward fellows, observers, and rotating Weill Cornell residents. Trainees will be assigned faculty and fellow mentors for the month to help them navigate their rotations.

The program is open to all candidates who will be a second year radiology resident (PGY-3) at an ACGME-accredited residency program within the United States during the elective period. For further questions, please contact Lysette Roman at [email protected].

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine elective is designed to give individuals exposure to oncologic pathology, diagnostic testing, and career opportunities within the field, including MSK’s own fellowship programs. Based in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the four-week elective offers current pathology residents the opportunity to rotate at a top cancer center with exposure to a large volume of in-house and consult surgical pathology cases, as well as a state-of-the-art clinical laboratory with a highly sophisticated test menu. The selection of rotations may broaden the resident’s education, with greater exposure to rare or uncommon tumors and clinical scenarios, and can be tailored to specific areas of interest.

Applicants must be a part of a residency program accredited by the ACGME within the United States and will have ideally completed at least 18 months of their pathology residency training ahead of starting their rotation.

Pediatric Hematology Oncology

The Pediatric Hematology Oncology elective is designed to give individuals exposure to the field of pediatric hematology and oncology including research opportunities. The applicant will spend four weeks within the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK Kids). MSK Kids treats more children with cancer than any other pediatric cancer program in the country. The applicant’s four-week rotation will consist of one week of inpatient clinic, one week of outpatient clinic, and two weeks for the applicant to rotate through different subspecialty clinics and/or research sites, which can be organized based on interests and availability and in consultation with the assigned faculty mentor. 

Applicants must be a part of a residency program accredited by the ACGME within the United States and in their second or third year of training.