Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant Hematology Fellowship accepts up to two fellows per year. Learn more about some of our current and past fellows, what led them to Mayo Clinic, and their thoughts and experiences in the program.

Current fellows

Haily Stephens, MPAS, P.A.-C.

Graduation: March 2025

Why did you choose to pursue a fellowship in hematology?
I chose hematology because I really enjoy the puzzle of interpreting labs, imaging, and biopsy results in order to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment for patients. I chose to pursue a fellowship because I felt that PA school barely scratched the surface of such a dynamic and rapidly evolving specialty and I wanted the opportunity to really focus my knowledge before being an independent provider.

How do you feel your fellowship experience has prepared you for a career in hematology?
I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from many world-renowned experts in the field of hematology allowing me to become more knowledgeable in the field. I have experienced each specialty within hematology, which allowed me to learn which disease processes I feel most passionate about.

Tell us about an impactful moment that occurred during your fellowship.
One of the most impactful moments occurred early on in my fellowship when I saw a new patient consult and was able to diagnose them with a hematologic malignancy. I was the one to deliver that news to the patient on follow up as well and have been able to follow through the entire process of treatment and have seen the impact of treatment on symptoms. The patient is now feeling much better and it has been very humbling to be a part of that entire experience. 

What advice do you have for future fellows?
Take advantage of student discounts for conferences to most efficiently use your CME money and attend as many as possible. I would also encourage them to take advantage of having access to some of the top hematologists in the world and to learn as much as possible from them.

Karen Pak, APRN, C.N.P.

Graduation: August 2025

Why did you choose to pursue a fellowship in hematology?
Over the years of being a hematology nurse, I have developed a passion and dedication in providing excellent quality care for hematology patients. By completing an APP fellowship program, I would establish a foundational knowledge base in all aspects of hematology and be more versatile in providing comprehensive care for this patient population. 

How do you feel your fellowship experience has prepared you for a career in hematology?
The fellowship has been an invaluable experience for me, especially for a new graduate nurse practitioner. I gained more experience in history-taking for new patient consults, performing physical examinations with quality techniques, and evaluating PET scans, pathology reports, and specific laboratory testing. With all of the additional training, I feel more confident and competent for my next step in pursuing a career as a hematology nurse practitioner.

Tell us about an impactful moment that occurred during your fellowship.
When I was on the acute leukemia inpatient service, I helped to take care of a patient from the start of her initial diagnosis through her induction treatment cycle. On my last day of my rotation, she gave me a hug and told me how appreciative she was for our care and thanked us for saving her life. It was a gratifying moment to be able to support this patient throughout her treatment and make a difference in her care. 

What advice do you have for future fellows?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be proactive, and use your resources! At Mayo Clinic, all the APPs and consultant doctors cultivate an enriching learning environment and are happy to answer any question for you. There are also a variety of different resources that Mayo Clinic provides such as tumor board meetings, various disease topic presentations, and hematology conferences that all have been useful to consolidate my learning.

Past fellows

	Michelle Rogers, APRN, CNP Current position: Cardiovascular Surgery Hospitalist, Mayo Clinic in Rochester Graduation: April 2021   Why did you choose to pursue a fellowship in Hematology? Hematology is especially meaningful to me on a personal level. My mother’s best friend battled a hematologic malignancy for three years before passing away. During that time, I witnessed her struggles firsthand and this deeply impacted me. That experience, combined with my passion for complex patient management and clinical research, led me to pursue Mayo Clinic’s Hematology Fellowship. I was drawn to the opportunity to work alongside world renown experts in a field that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. My inquisitive nature, attention to detail, and commitment to mentorship and professional growth made Hematology the perfect fit for me to launch my career as an advanced practice provider.   How did the fellowship help you attain your professional goals as an NP or PA? The Hematology Fellowship played a pivotal role in helping me attain my professional goals by bridging the gap between my extensive nursing experience and the advanced clinical expertise required for a high level of clinical autonomy. It provided me with intensive, hands-on training in clinical decision-making, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning — skills essential for transitioning into an advanced practice role. Through rotations in inpatient and outpatient hematology, bone marrow transplantation, infectious disease, and palliative care, I gained comprehensive exposure to complex patient cases, which strengthened my ability to navigate high-acuity scenarios with confidence. The fellowship also refined my leadership skills, teaching me how to manage intricate cases independently while maintaining a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to patient care. The program enhanced my research capabilities, allowing me to contribute to clinical trial initiatives and publish scholarly work. It reinforced my passion for continuous learning, mentorship, and professional development — values that continue to shape my practice.   What advice do you have for incoming fellows? Be open to all the opportunities Mayo Clinic has to offer. Feel empowered to advocate for your needs. Take time as a learner to get to know the Division of Hematology, your colleagues and mentors. Allow the fellowship to grow your confidence, expand your expertise, and build a network of experts and mentors that will facilitate your bright future.
	Rachelle Rouse, APRN, CNP, AOCNP Current position: Outpatient Hematology, Classical Hematology Disease Group, Mayo Clinic in Rochester Graduation: August 2022   Why did you choose to pursue a fellowship in Hematology? I chose a fellowship in hematology due to the diagnostic complexity of hematology and ability to work with non-malignant blood diseases.   How did the fellowship help you attain your professional goals as an NP or PA? The fellowship provided a solid foundation for my role in classical hematology and allowed me to practice at the top of my license as a nurse practitioner.   What advice do you have for incoming fellows? My advice to future fellows is to enjoy the process of learning and not to put too much pressure of yourself. No one expects you to be perfect the first time. Mayo provides a wonderful and supportive learning environment.
	Kristina Helms, APRN, CNP Current position: Bone Marrow Transplant, Mayo Clinic in Rochester Graduation: March 2023   Why did you choose to pursue a fellowship in Hematology? After spending five years as a heme-onc nurse, I developed a deep appreciation for the complexity of hematologic conditions and the profound impact they have on patients’ lives. Though hematology is highly specialized, I find that hematology has frequent intersections with infectious disease, coagulation, hematopathology, transfusion medicine, and internal medicine, among others. The hematology track provides an in-depth experience with both inpatient and outpatient settings, allowing for enhanced clinical skills, broader knowledge base and professional growth. The hematology track also includes medical lectures with medical students which complemented my clinical practice as a fellow.   How did the fellowship help you attain your professional goals as an NP or PA? Despite spending five years as a heme-onc nurse, I quickly realized that stepping into the role of a hematology-BMT provider required a completely different level of expertise and clinical decision-making – one that my bedside experience alone couldn’t fully prepare me for. The fellowship provided me invaluable hands-on experience and mentorship that significantly advanced my skills as a nurse practitioner. I love the rotations in other areas such as infectious disease, palliative, transfusion medicine, hematopathology, etc. The opportunity to work alongside experienced providers in multiple specialties allowed me to refine my critical thinking, leadership, and decision-making skills. It also reinforced my confidence in managing complex cases. The rotations also expanded my professional network, connecting me with mentors and peers who continue to support my growth in the field.   What advice do you have for incoming fellows? Stepping into this fellowship is both exciting and challenging, but it’s one of the best opportunities you’ll have to grow as a clinician. Transitioning into this role comes with a steep learning curve but you will be provided with support and resources you’ll need along the way. Be proactive, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, and always keep the patient at the center of your learning.
	Heidi Kashat, APRN, CNP Current position: Inpatient Hematology, Mayo Clinic in Rochester Graduation: March 2024   Why did you choose to pursue a fellowship in Hematology? I knew I wanted to pursue an APP fellowship and gravitated toward hematology since I had minimal exposure during my studies.   How did the fellowship help you attain your professional goals as an NP or PA? The fellowship truly helped attain a strong foundation in Hematology and I utilize what I learned in my rotations in my current role. Mayo Clinic has the resources and staff to offer rotations not available at many institutions, including transfusion medicine and a hematology class with medical students.   What advice do you have for incoming fellows? Enjoy each rotation. Everyone wants you to succeed and is willing to help you so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Career opportunities and advancement 

In hematology, NPs and PAs have a wide range of opportunities to grow, both within clinical practice and in other fields such as research, education, advocacy, and healthcare leadership

• Subspecialization: NPs and PAs have the opportunity to sub-specialize to concentrate on a specific type of hematologic disorder, such as leukemias, lymphomas, dysproteinemias, cellular therapies, and bispecifics, etc.
• Research: Participate in clinical trials, conduct retrospective or prospective research, and present your findings at medical conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Education: Teach and mentor NP/PA students, fellows, and new NP/PA providers in hematology; lecture on hematology content for regional NP and PA programs; present educational material at regional, national, and international conferences
• Leadership roles: Advance into roles such as supervisor, program director, clinical manager, or serve as a member or leader of hematology specific boards such as American Society of Hematology (ASH), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), or Advanced Practitioner Society of Hematology and Oncology (APSHO)