Train across the full scope of transfusion medicine

The OHSU Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine offers a one-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship in blood banking and transfusion medicine.  

As a fellow, you’ll train in adult and pediatric transfusion medicine at OHSU, Oregon’s only academic health center. You will also rotate at the American Red Cross to build firsthand expertise in donor center operations that few hospital-based programs can offer.  

The case mix is varied and complex, preparing you for a career in academic and non-academic transfusion medicine. 

Explore more:

• Why train with us?
• Fellowship objectives
• Curriculum
• How to apply
• Fellowship leaders

Why train with us?

At OHSU, we value educating the next generation of pathologists. Our department has a dedicated Vice Chair of Education, Mandy VanSandt, D.O., who is also the Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine fellowship program director. This structural investment reflects our department’s commitment to teaching. 

Fully accredited training

The fellowship is ACGME-accredited, satisfying board eligibility requirements in Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine for most applicants. Training also meets licensing requirements in all states. 

Diverse training environments

You will train in adult and pediatric transfusion medicine at OHSU Hospital and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. You’ll also complete a dedicated rotation at the American Red Cross covering donor center operations, blood collection and donor testing. 

Hands-on clinical expertise

You’ll build complex transfusion medicine skills across high-volume adult and pediatric clinical care, including: 

• Hands-on apheresis and cellular therapy, working directly with apheresis consults, CAR-T therapy and stem cell collections
• Specialized HLA testing, gaining in-depth experience in HLA lab operations
• Real on-call responsibility for transfusion medicine and apheresis across OHSU, regional labs and partner groups 

Fellowship objectives

You’ll be prepared to pass the American Board of Pathology examination in Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine and to succeed in academic medicine, private practice or industry. You will develop and graduate with skills in: 

• Consultation and medical direction for hospital-based transfusion services, including complex adult and pediatric cases
• Therapeutic apheresis consultation, including indication assessment, procedure planning, and outcome review
• Interpretation and oversight of HLA testing
• CAR-T cell therapy and stem cell collections as part of a cellular therapy program
• Blood donor center operations: donor testing, blood collection and component preparation through the American Red Cross rotation
• Laboratory management, quality control and CAP inspection preparation
• Teaching pathology residents and consulting with clinical teams
• Translational research within the transfusion medicine service 

Curriculum

The fellowship centers on clinical rotations at two sites, with teaching and research integrated throughout. Fellows take on more responsibility over time, in line with ACGME guidelines.

OHSU Hospital and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

Most training takes place at OHSU and Doernbecher, covering: 

• Hospital transfusion service: blood product ordering, compatibility testing, massive transfusion protocols, and complex medical and surgical cases
• Therapeutic apheresis: active consultation service with a broad range of indications
• HLA testing laboratory
• CAR-T cell therapy and stem cell collections
• On-call coverage for the OHSU hospital system, regional laboratories, and private groups 

American Red Cross

A dedicated rotation at the American Red Cross provides expertise in donor operations that hospital-based training alone cannot offer: 

• Donor center operations and management
• Blood collection procedures
• Donor testing 

Teaching and research

Fellows lead conferences for pathology residents and engage in both informal and formal consultation with residents and faculty inside and outside the Pathology department. Fellows also collaborate with faculty mentors on translational research within the transfusion medicine service. 

How to apply

Submit your fellowship application and required materials to Stacey Davis, administrative coordinator, at davissta@ohsu.edu.

• Next fellowship: July 1, 2028–June 30, 2029
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted until the position is filled

Fellowship eligibility

To qualify you must: 

• Be legally authorized to work in the U.S. or eligible to obtain authorization
• Complete an accredited residency program (ACGME, AOA, ACGME-I, RCPSC, or CFPC)
• Meet one of the following:  
• At least two years of clinical pathology training  
• Board-certified or eligible in anatomic and clinical pathology or clinical pathology (American Board of Pathology)  
• Board-certified or eligible through an approved ABMS board for blood banking/transfusion medicine 

Required application materials

• Completed fellowship application
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement or letter of intent
• Three letters of recommendation (emailed directly from the writer or institution)
• Medical school diploma

International medical school graduates must submit a valid ECFMG certificate. 

If selected for an interview, you will also provide:

• Dean's letter
• ECFMG certificate (if applicable)
• USMLE certificate and scores
• JPEG headshot photo 

Before starting the fellowship, you'll need to provide a letter verifying previous training and employment as a physician.

Learn more about applying to OHSU residencies and fellowships 

Fellowship leaders