The Department of Medicine

Letter from the Chief

Dear Prospective Candidate,
Greetings! I am Evan Davidson, current Chief Fellow for Hematology and Oncology. I am delighted to introduce you to our Hematology and Oncology Program at The University of Tennessee Knoxville Medical Center. I have a very special perspective as being the very first fellow to enroll here and be a founder for the program. I suspect you would be thinking that was a risky endeavor to take on, but I had a great ‘gut-feeling’ at the time. It has paid off in a meaningful way for me and my family. Let me explain why being a fellow here at UT Knoxville has been a watershed moment for my life and why it could be for you too.

When I had been in your position and applying for HemOnc fellowship, I knew identifying key mentors was essential, in any medicine field, but especially ours. Every person I encountered during my interview emanated competency and relatability. The ‘gut-feeling’ I had on excellent mentorship here was right! This is the key strength of them program to me. I have mentors at all three phases of career arcs: our ‘sages’ or people who are thirty plus years into their careers, people ten plus years into their careers and are hitting peak stride in experience and patient volume, and newer hire faculty who have recently been in fellowship. I am already feeling clinically strong in my career advancement and will be very capable when I start attending, but also expect to keep an ongoing relationship with these mentors. I have fun at work every single day!

Life and work balance is a key feature for a trainee. You want to work a lot to become a strong doctor, but you have to live, too! I am a husband and father, so having balance here was crucial. That has held up very well at this program, as I have been able to continue being Dad and a pillar for my family, which is not always the case in other fellowships and residencies. We have very reasonable clinic work weeks and call every sixth weekend. I have plenty of time for family and community involvement or extra time for studies, if I wish. I have been impressed with the schools here for my kids, as well.

Knoxville, itself, has been a joy for me. I have been a lifelong Tennessee Volunteers fan, so being in the midst of all of the sports and University happenings has been incredibly fun! I am a football season ticket holder and will take you to a game! The city also punches way above it’s weight in restaurants with some excellent spots in fine dining, pub food, coffee spots. Ask me about them anytime. Concerts and outdoor life also stand out here. There are way more highlights here than what I have listed prior, which I hope you will come to find. I am very proud of this program and what we are accomplishing. It has made such an impact on me and my growth. I have even sought out to stay and continue my career here as an attending and have just signed a contract! To that end, I hope I can start to be a mentor for you, when you come and join our fellowship!

Warm regards,
Evan Davidson, MD
Chief Hematology and Oncology Fellow