ACE Fellowship Program

Following acceptance into the program, ACE fellows will have the opportunity to choose an area of interest in which they will work with a mentor and the ACE Board of Directors to complete an ACE Comprehensive Project (ACP). Each ACE Fellow will be asked to provide one or more ideas of potential ACPs as part of the application process. This project will serve as the cornerstone to the fellowship program.

Examples of potential ACPs include but are not limited to:

• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis for proton cancer therapy

• Develop quality metrics, using Six Sigma or similar analytical tools, to improve efficiency and patient flow through Ambulatory Infusion Centers

• Complete a business plan for expanding the number of linear accelerators within your organization

• Optimize physician order sets for computerized physician order entry

• Engage the patient population to determine best practices for creating multidisciplinary outpatient clinics

• Propose a new incentive structure for research faculty in an academic setting

Fellows will have monthly conference calls with the other fellows to discuss their project challenges and accomplishments. These conference calls will also allow the fellows to meet with relevant guests, speakers, and panelists to discuss pertinent oncology topics. Fellows will have the opportunity to present to the ACE Board of Directors to seek guidance and feedback before a final presentation at the ACE Annual Meeting. Mentors will work with fellows to set work and project-based goals for the year, as well as to provide valuable networking opportunities that will help them meet their career aspirations. Mentors will be active ACE members who have been in good standing with ACE for at least three (3) years. The Fellowship Committee will serve as the guiding body of the ACE Fellowship Program.

In an effort to further build relationships between the fellows and to provide them with insight and best practices from other leading cancer centers, a cancer facility site visit may be coordinated by the fellows during the year. The one or two-day site visit can occur at an academic or community cancer center or at a national cancer organization like the National Cancer Institute or American Cancer Society. It will be up to the fellows to determine where and when the site visit will occur. The site visit is an optional component of the ACE Fellowship Program as a fellow’s ability to take time away from their regular duties and incur travel expenses is at the discretion of the fellows’ employer. ACE will provide a $1000 travel stipend to assist with a site visit.

Following their fellowship, ACE Fellows will be awarded a certificate of completion during the ACE Annual Meeting.

Finalists will be reviewed by the ACE Fellowship Committee for a recommendation for approval by the ACE Board of Directors.

The ACE Fellowship program is an unpaid fellowship that requires each fellow to gain permission from their current employer to participate in the program.