Specialty: Hematology & Oncology 

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MD2B Connect Physician ID # 218​​

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Where will the rotation take place: This US clinical experience will take place in Miami (approximately 40 miles north of downtown). 

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​Hours: Monday - Friday 7:15 AM to 3 PM

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Hours have been provided by the preceptor. Hours are subject to change at the preceptor’s discretion, but the minimum total hours will remain approximately the same.

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What you will do: This is an outpatient experience during which you will be under the supervision of a highly regarded physician who is board certified in Internal Medicine and Hematology & Oncology. He is the Chief of Staff at Northwest Medical Center and also on staff at several other hospitals, including Coral Springs Medical Center, HCA Woodmont Hospital, and Florida Medical Center.

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At 7:15 AM, the preceptor typically meets with his colleagues in the office to discuss interesting cases. Rotators are welcome to join this meeting to see how established experts in the field collaborate with one another and lean on each other's expertise to provide the highest quality of care. If the rotator is interested in presenting a case during this meeting, please indicate your interest to the preceptor. This can be an excellent way to hone presentation skills that you will be expected to call upon as a resident. 

 

Following this, you will see patients in the office with a variety of solid tumors, leukemias, and lymphomas. Other hematologic disorders will also be encountered, including anemia. There will be a combination of new patient evaluations and follow-ups. This preceptor is a strong proponent of reviewing studies done on patients independently rather than relying on the report alone. What this means is that you will be reviewing imaging and hematologic studies, including peripheral blood smears and bone marrow biopies, in the office. 

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This rotation is ideal for the motivated learner who wants to make the most of the experience by asking questions. The preceptor urges rotators to ask questions so that he can share teaching points geared to the student's interest and fill in gaps in knowledge. Students should be ready to ask lots of questions. 

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Rotators may be able to observe procedures in the clinic such as bone marrow biopsies. Infusion therapy is also administered in the clinic for such conditions as cancer, inflammatory conditions, and bleeding disorders.

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After a few days of observation, you will take on an increasing role in patient care (please note that this is not a shadowing observership; you will be actively involved in patient care). This includes the following:​

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• Taking patient histories.

• Examining patients under supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Have opportunities to research the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.

• Spending time with other healthcare professionals to understand their roles and responsibilities.

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You will receive regular feedback on your performance. 

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Please note that there is clinical research taking place in this practice in the form of clinical trials. Rotators interested in seeing how such studies are conducted should express an interest in doing so to the preceptor early in the rotation. 

 

Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in Internal Medicine or Hematology & Oncology. 

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How to obtain a letter of recommendation: The rotator should ask the preceptor for a LOR near the conclusion of the rotation. Dr. Desai has provided the physician with guidelines about best practices in letter writing that meet residency program requirements. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft. 

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​During the rotation: Our team will be checking in periodically with you to ensure that you are having an optimal experience. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions during the rotation.

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See Where Our Students Applying to Internal Medicine Have Received Interviews or Matched

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Read Dr. Desai's Interview with Dr. Roy Ziegelstein (Vice Dean for Education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Former Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center) about How to Match Successfully in Internal Medicine