Medical Professional Education

The discipline of adolescent and young adult oncology is an emerging field. While many aspects of caring for patients with AYA cancers overlap in the pediatric and adult oncology realm, there are unique factors that are important for this group of patients. The Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Progress Review Group (sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 2005) identified five recommendations for the advancement of care for AYA patients with cancer. One of the recommendations is “to provide education, training and communication to improve awareness, prevention, access and quality of care for AYAs“. We are developing a robust and hands-on educational program to meet these recommendations and address the gaps in AYA care.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

“In the AYA@USC course, students are privileged to explore the lives and minds of cancer patients and their loved ones, an intimate and maturing experience. The program inspires and equips students to provide their patients with not only healing but also perspective.”

Joseph Li

2012 AYA Fellow and M.D. Candidate, 2015

AYA USC-CHLA Summer Fellowship

This fellowship is intended to provide the highest quality experience for first-year medical school students pursuing interests in AYA oncology research. Faculty mentors are located both at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and at the USC Keck School of Medicine.

AYA Patient-Student Partnership Experience

Students with a particular interest in issues affecting AYA patients will have the opportunity to conduct research and participate in experiential learning focused on this patient population. Beyond the summer fellowship, the fall term will include physician mentorship and students partnered with an AYA patient(s) undergoing treatment. The student will have the opportunity to attend the patient’s clinical consultations, treatments, inpatient visits, surgeries, and other visits/procedures wherever feasible throughout his/her treatment.

One Year AYA USC-CHLA Post-Fellowship

This one year post fellowship curriculum is a novel approach to address the AYA gap in both pediatric and adult oncology training programs. Graduates will become experts in the field of AYA oncology. They will be comfortable interacting with the AYA population and can address their psychosocial needs. They will understand the impact of health care access and resources for AYA oncology patients and will conduct clinical research in AYA.

For more information on any of these programs, please contact Shu Li at shuli@usc.edu or call 323-865-0581. Thank you.