Since 1987, the New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), an ACGME Institutional Sponsor of Graduate Medical Education (GME), has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering high‑quality medical education though its Transfusion Medicine Fellowship Program. NYBCe
dedicates the educational, financial, and human resources needed to support Fellows’ professional, ethical, and personal development by providing a robust competency-based curriculum, ensuring appropriate supervision, conducting thorough evaluations of both Fellows and faculty, and maintaining a learning environment that fosters excellence.
Each year, we provide funding for 1-3 fellowship positions. An additional year of funding may be available for selected candidates interested in pursuing an academic research project in transfusion medicine.
Our fellowship program is unique in providing:
- Training at one of the largest nonprofit academic blood centers in the U.S.
- Clinical rotations at top New York academic medical centers
- Service to the diverse patient population in the New York metropolitan area
Blood Center Rotation Description
Fellows spend 4 months at NYBCe. The 4-month program at NYBCe trains the fellow in the following areas:
- Donor center operations including mobile whole blood and apheresis collections
- Blood product manufacturing: processing, labeling, and release
- Immunohematology and blood group genomics laboratories
- HLA laboratory
- Cellular therapy collections and processing including National Marrow Donor Program operations
- Mobile therapeutic apheresis and peri-operative autologous transfusion services
- Storage and release of cord blood units
- Regulatory and accreditation compliance for blood center and cellular therapy operations
Partnering Sites Rotation Description
Fellows spend 4 months at each of 2 partner hospitals (total of 8 months). This 8-month program trains the fellow in the following areas:
- Transfusion-related laboratory testing
- Transfusion practices and sequelae, including transfusion reaction investigation and management
- Clinical indications and consultation for blood components and therapeutic apheresis
- Quality assurance and blood utilization monitoring
- Cellular therapy laboratory processes
- Coagulation testing
The two partner hospitals are either:
Prerequisites
Eligible for an unrestricted active license to practice medicine in New York State
Application Process
Admissions are rolling. We prefer to receive complete applications starting in April, two years prior to the intended start date (i.e. for July 2029 start date, we prefer applications starting April 1, 2027). However, we accept applications until available positions are filled.
To complete the online application, you will need:
- A brief written statement about your professional goals, and specifically, why you are seeking a Fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at NYBCe.
- A current Curriculum Vitae
- A copy of your Medical Diploma
- Results of your medical licensing exams (Step/COMLEX)
- A copy of your ECFMG certificate, if applicable
- Names and emails of 3 references*
*An application will be considered complete when 3 letters of recommendation, one of which should be from the director of your current program, if applicable.
Letters of recommendation should be sent confidentially to Dr. Eric A. Gehrie, Program Director, at [email protected].
Please address any further questions to [email protected].
Additional Fellowship Program Information
Current Fellow
Siba Saker, MD
Past Fellows
Fellows in past 10 years
2025-2026
Siba Saker, MD
2024-2025
Suzanne Brandt, MD
Chinwe Madubata, MD
Ian Mellis, MD, PhD
Evan Waldron, MD, PhD
2023-2024
Ronald Devera, MD
Beth Raju, MD
2022-2023
Behnam Rafiee, MD
Tobias Cohen, MD PhD
2021-2022
Michael Karasick, MD
2020-2021
Stacia Semple, MD
Maha Al-Ghafry, MD
Marilyn Nedumcheril, MD
2019-2020
Alexandra Budhai, MD
Elizabeth Stone, MD PhD
Kristin Sticco, MD
2018-2019
Aaron Wyble, MD
Gianna Ballon, MD
Sabrina Racine-Brzostek, MD PhD
Sarah Vossoughi, MD RN
2017-2018
Elizabeth Godbey, MD
Monika Paroder, MD PhD
Robert DeSimone, MD
Swathi Ratkal, MD
2016-2017
Susmitha Edappallath, MD
Stuart Weisberg, MD PhD
Edward Yoon, MD
2015-2016
Chancey Christenson, MD
Ruchika Goel, MD MPH
Alexandra Jimenez, MD
NYBCe Transfusion Medicine Fellowship Leadership
Overall Fellowship Program Director
Eric A. Gehrie, MD
Vice President and Medical Director
[email protected]
Fellowship Leadership
Columbia Site Director
Yvette Tanhehco, MD, PhD
Medical Director of Cellular Therapy Laboratory
Assistant Director of Transfusion Medicine
Associate Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology
[email protected]
Weill Cornell Site Director
Alexandra Jimenez, MD
Director of Transfusion Medicine Education
Associate Director of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy
Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Northwell Health Site Director
Vishesh Chhibber, MD
Medical Director, North Shore University Hospital Transfusion Services
Associate Medical Director, Northwell Health Transfusion Medicine
[email protected]
Mount Sinai Site Director
Tayler Vandenakker, MD
Assistant Professor
[email protected]
Program Coordinator
Shannon O’Donnell
[email protected]