Educational Curriculum

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

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 physics curriculum is designed to comprehensively cover all essential topics in radiation physics, with a strong emphasis on practical applications in clinical radiation therapy.

Novel Flipped Classroom Approach:

• Pre-class sessions include a 15-minute presentation focusing on high-yield material, followed by a quiz to identify areas of weakness.
• Class discussions prioritize addressing these weaknesses, with RAPHEX questions used to consolidate knowledge and ensure mastery of key concepts.

Dedicated Time for Physics:

• A two-hour slot (on Fridays) is reserved for physics topics, focusing on high-yield areas critical to clinical practice and board preparation.

Guideline Alignment:

• The curriculum aligns with ASTRO and AAPM guidelines to maintain the highest standards of education.

Integrated Learning and Review:

• We include RAPHEX review sessions using ASTRO/AAPM curriculum questions to reinforce understanding.

Repetition:

• The curriculum is designed to repeat four times throughout residency, ensuring comprehensive coverage and reinforced learning for long-term 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.