UC San Diego Hemophilia & Thrombosis Treatment Center
The Hemostasis/Thrombosis Fellowship at UC San Diego is a GME-accredited 1-year program, located at the Hemophilia & Thrombosis Treatment Center (HTTC). The HTTC is federally funded and part of the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN) receiving support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participate in its network of HTCs. The HTTC provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care for patients with hemophilia and congenital bleeding and clotting disorders. The fellowship program was designed not only to provide specialized training in the diagnosis and management of congenital, but also in acquired bleeding and thrombotic disorders. The congenital program includes patients with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, inherited platelet function disorders, rare factor deficiencies, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, as well as inherited venous and arterial thrombotic disorders. Examples of acquired conditions include immune thrombocytopenic purpura, microangiopathies, antiphospholipid syndrome and other etiologies of thromboembolism. New to the program this year was the addition of a monthly combined clinic with Gynecology for women with bleeding disorders. Clinical: The Fellow will assume care responsibilities in outpatient clinics, participate in weekly didactic sessions and journal club, and devise inpatient management plans in close communication with the inpatient Hematology consult service. The Fellow also has the opportunity to take part in community outreach programs such as Hemophilia walks and camp, and experience patient advocacy activities.
Research: The Fellowship provides the opportunity to participate in and develop innovative research ideas in the area of hemostasis and thrombosis. There are numerous research projects including federally and industry-sponsored basic research, industry-sponsored clinical trials (e.g. gene therapy in hemophilia), and HTTC-based projects focusing on cardiovascular health, joint health and the application of musculoskeletal ultrasound in hemophilia care.
Basic research opportunities include molecular aspects of the progression of hemophilic arthropathy using innovative technologies such as proteomics and RNAseq in mice and patient cohorts. HTTC-based programs of note include a cutting edge CME-accredited training course in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, and the possibility to train in point-of-care vascular ultrasound for DVT imaging. For Fellows interested in Global Hematology, there are opportunities to engage in international outreach and clinical research, specifically at the UCSD partner site in Maputo, Mozambique.
Depending upon progress, the Fellowship can be extended for an additional year.