onCane Nexus Overview and Clinical Curriculum
We offer unparalleled protected academic time (the most in the nation) through our innovative onCane Nexus educational curriculum. This program provides comprehensive oncology training, integrating clinical oncology, radiation oncology, physics, and radiobiology.
The curriculum is delivered through protected morning conferences (one hour, Monday through Thursday) and a full protected academic day on Fridays. This unique structure ensures a focused learning environment, enabling residents to prepare effectively for clinical practice and board certification.
onCane Nexus is a dynamic and adaptive curriculum, regularly updated throughout training to incorporate the latest advancements in oncology and to tailor learning experiences to meet the evolving needs of each resident.
There are several novel aspects of the onCane Nexus, with key areas highlighted below:
- Time: most protected time academic time in the country.
- Monday–Thursday (AM): Resident-led morning conference/clinical didactics (1 hour per day).
- Friday (Full Day): Full day (8 hours) protected for academic activities, including didactics consolidation, board review questions, radiation biology/physics lectures, and research.
- Department policy against calls/pages during didactics/educational seminars.
- Didactics Format: approximates preparation for boards/clinic.
- Resident led, case-based sessions (daily Monday-Thursday)
- Broken down into 8 blocks according to disease site (like boards)
- Repetition: each disease site repeated 4-5 times throughout the year
- Resident “friendly” environment: open book, open notes, no fear of judgement
- Resident led, case-based sessions (daily Monday-Thursday)
- Material: The materials used in didactics are specifically designed to prepare residents for both clinical practice and board examinations.
- Dense high yield charts with mnemonics
- Case-based PowerPoint presentations
When oral boards approach, University of Miami examinees will be fully prepared and equipped with a comprehensive educational toolbox.
Physics
Beth Bossart, Ph.D. is the Director of Physics for Radiation Oncology Residency.
The radiation oncology physics curriculum provides comprehensive coverage of essential radiation physics topics with a focus on clinical application. Using a novel flipped classroom model, residents review a 15-minute high-yield presentation and complete a quiz prior to class. In-class sessions then target identified weaknesses and incorporate RAPHEX questions to reinforce key concepts.
A dedicated two-hour weekly session on Fridays ensures focused time for board-relevant, high-yield content. The curriculum is fully aligned with ASTRO and AAPM guidelines, maintaining rigorous educational standards.
Learning is reinforced through integrated review sessions featuring RAPHEX and guideline-based questions. To support long-term mastery, the curriculum repeats several times during residency, promoting retention and progressive competency.
Radiation and Cancer Biology
Scott Welford, Ph.D. is the Director of Radiation and Cancer Biology.
This course focuses on teaching the principles of molecular, cancer, and radiation biology underlying radiation oncology. It is aligned with guidelines set by the American Board of Radiology.