2025-2026 Fellowship Recruitment

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CLINICAL Understand the following: • Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired bleeding and clotting disorders • Approach to diagnosis and management of congenital bleeding and clotting disorders • Comprehensive care approach to hemophilia comprising, but not limited to nursing, physical therapy, athletic training, social work, home infusion, patient programs, national data collections, hemophilia treatment center networks • Complex and comprehensive management of patients with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease and other rare bleeding disorders including their management in the inpatient and outpatient settings • Management of patients with hemophilia and inhibitors in the inpatient or outpatient settings • Differences between the various clotting factor preparations and new factor-free treatments, their pharmacokinetics and their use in personalized treatment plans for patients with hemophilia • Differences and indications for anticoagulants, including direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) • Hemostasis and coagulation assays and their appropriate diagnostic use. This objective will also require that you familiarize yourself with the actual laboratory test methods. • Program guidelines, financial and legal implications of appropriate 340b clotting factor investment in hemophilia care • Incorporate point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound for rapid bleed detection, synovitis, and other common joint abnormalities into clinical decision-making and guided treatments • Current knowledge regarding the pathobiology of hemophilic arthropathy, and current options for interventions, indications, risks and side effects for orthopedic procedures, synovial embolization and (radio) synovectomies. OUTREACH Understand the following: • Structure and mission of patient advocacy groups, local Hemophilia Chapters, and national and International organizations such as the National Hemophilia Foundation and the World Federation of Hemophilia • Educational, social and clinical needs of the bleeding disorders community • Challenges of ‘transition of care’ from pediatric centers to adult treatment centers • Importance of self-infusion, teaching venues, and tools need and opportunities for global involvement to advocate for diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorders in the developing world RESEARCH • Develop and complete a clinical or translational research project with the goal to create new knowledge and improve outcomes or treatments for patients with hemophilia and bleeding disorders • Develop grant-writing skills by submitting an application for a mentored research award, fellowship or junior faculty award to a funding agency (optional but highly desirable). PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TO MEET THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES • The curriculum will consist of ~50% clinical and outreach activities, and ~50% research activities • Participate in 2-3 weekly clinics (Hemophilia, Bleeding Disorders, Thrombotic Disorders) • Participate in local outreach activities such as educational seminars, patient infusion classes, teen summer camp, rock climbing and other patient activities (on average 1 activity/week). At the moment some programs are suspended or moved to virtual platforms due to COVID-19 • Participate in international outreach at the UCSD partner and hemophilia twinning site in Maputo, Mozambique. At the moment international travel is suspended due to Covid-19 • Attend the weekly Hematology/Oncology educational curriculum sessions held on Friday mornings; participate in hemostasis case discussions and present relevant cases • Attend the annual Western United States Regional meeting of hemophilia treatment centers • Attend 1-2 national meetings per year such as the Annual Meeting of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), Hemophilia and Thrombosis Research Society (HTRS), American Society of Hematology (ASH), American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN), or other, as appropriate • Attend national hemophilia fellowship symposia (such as Center for Advanced Training in Hemophilia and Inhibitor Management [CATHIM], Tulane University) • Participate in the conduct of pharmaceutically-sponsored clinical trials • Participate in the CREST program at UCSD to develop skills in clinical trial design, epidemiology, statistics and research reporting (optional) • Spend protected time (50%) to develop and conduct a mentored research project in clinical or translational science • Participate in the CME-accredited musculoskeletal ultrasound course at UCSD and integrate skills into daily practice to evaluate hemophilic joint disease.

About the Employer

The University of California San Diego (UCSD) Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders (CBCD) is pleased to announce an opening for its one-year Coagulation Medicine Fellowship. The Fellowship at UC San Diego Health is designed to provide specialized training in hemophilia and other bleeding and thrombotic disorders. Eligible candidates have successfully completed Internal Medicine Residency and are ideally, but not necessarily, enrolled in or have completed a Hematology/Oncology fellowship. The Fellowship aims to offer advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding and thrombotic disorders, encompassing Hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), platelet function disorders, rare factor deficiencies, as well as venous and arterial thrombosis. It also provides the opportunity to engage in and cultivate innovative research concepts within the field of hemostasis and thrombosis. The CBCD conducts numerous research projects, including federally and industry-sponsored basic research, industry-sponsored clinical trials, and CBCD-based projects focusing on cardiovascular health, joint health, and point-of-care (musculoskeletal) ultrasound for hemophilic joint evaluation and management of deep venous thromboembolism. CBCD-based endeavors of note include cutting-edge CME-accredited training courses in musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound for hematology-oriented objectives, including deep venous thrombosis. Other activities include international outreach in global health, specifically at the UCSD partner site in Maputo, Mozambique, and a program for women with bleeding disorders in collaboration with Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Health. The CBCD is part of the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN) and receives funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to participate in its network of Hemophilia Treatment Centers. There will be ample opportunities to participate in and develop community outreach, research interests and educational programs together with the local Hemophilia Chapter and patient advocacy groups. Program at a Glance: • Available Positions: 1-2 per year • Duration: 1 year (additional year considered) • Post-Graduate Training Requirements: Training in Internal Medicine or equivalent specialty or Hematology/Oncology Fellowship • Licensure: CA Medical License required • US Citizenship Required: No The Fellowship is directly mentored by Dr. Annette von Drygalski, the CBCD Director, and is supported by an exceptional multi-disciplinary team committed to the care of patients with bleeding and thrombotic disorders.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV), a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Annette von Drygalski. Please forward the aforementioned documents to avondrygalski@health.ucsd.edu.

Contact Information

Victoria Millstein
9333 Genese Ave.
Ste 310
San Diego, UT 92121 USA
https://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/hematology/hemophilia/Pages/default.aspx
vmillstein@health.ucsd.edu