Transitioning from fellowship to a physician-scientist career track

Given the remarkable advances in bio-medicine in recent years, there has never been a better time to devote one's efforts towards bench to beside medicine. Accordingly, well-trained physician-scientists are in high demand in the private and academic sectors, and there is increasing awareness of the need to support and nurture such individuals. Clinical fellows in hematology, oncology and hematopathology with an interest in the physician-scientist career path must be well prepared to succeed in transitioning from fellowship to their first academic position. This article will discuss some of the key elements that prospective clinical scientists need to assemble in order to survive this critical period.