Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Small Animal Medical Oncology Residency

Advance your training in veterinary oncology through a comprehensive three-year residency program at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Designed to prepare residents for board certification through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), this program combines intensive clinical training, research, teaching, and professional development.

Program Highlights

The Small Animal Medical Oncology Residency is a three-year, non-degree program that provides advanced training in oncology and related disciplines. Residents participate in:

  • Primary patient care
  • Daily rounds and case discussions
  • Clinical conferences and seminars
  • Multidisciplinary specialty collaboration
  • Clinical research and clinical trials
  • Veterinary student teaching and mentorship
  • Access to the NIH-supported REVEAL academic enrichment program

Training takes place within the Harrington Oncology Program at the Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals in North Grafton, Massachusetts, a major referral center serving canine and feline cancer patients throughout New England.

Clinical Training

Residents spend the majority of their program on clinical rotations under the supervision of:

  • Four board-certified medical oncologists
  • One board-certified radiation oncologist

The oncology service is supported by a highly skilled technical team and collaborates closely with specialists in:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Emergency & Critical Care
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Surgery
  • Zoological Companion Animal Medicine
  • Pathology

Residents also have opportunities to rotate through many of these specialty services, broadening their medical knowledge and clinical expertise.

Advanced Radiation Oncology Facilities

The radiation oncology service features state-of-the-art technology, including:

  • Varian iX linear accelerator
  • 6 MV photon and 6–20 MeV electron capabilities
  • Cone beam CT imaging
  • RapidArc technology
  • 120-leaf multileaf collimator
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
  • Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT)

These advanced resources provide residents with extensive exposure to modern cancer treatment techniques.

Teaching Opportunities

As part of the Department of Clinical Sciences, residents contribute to the educational mission of the school through:

  • Clinical teaching of veterinary students
  • Student assessment and competency evaluation
  • Instruction of one clinical skills laboratory annually

Additional teaching opportunities are available for residents interested in expanding their educational experience.

Research and Clinical Trials

Residents actively participate in clinical research and ongoing clinical trials through the Clinical Trials Office. Research opportunities include investigating novel therapeutic agents and treatment approaches that advance veterinary oncology.

All residents are required to:

  • Complete an original research project
  • Submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed scientific journal before program completion

Dedicated professional development time is provided to support research activities and preparation for ACVIM board examinations.

Appointment and Certification

Residency appointments are made on a 12-month basis and renewed annually upon satisfactory performance.

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, residents are awarded a Certificate of Residency from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Application Information

Applications are submitted through the AAVC Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP).

For further information, contact Dr. Heather Gardner, Program Director.

Tufts University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.