Cancer Rehabilitation
Carolinas Rehabilitation and the Levine Cancer Institute is offering a one-year non-ACGME accredited fellowship in cancer rehabilitation for a board-eligible/board-certified physiatrist interested in developing further expertise in the academic, administrative, clinical and research components necessary for successful program development. Carolinas Rehabilitation was the first ever hospital accredited in cancer rehabilitation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and hosts the core inpatient services. Cancer providers also serve a consultative role at Carolinas Medical Center, which is the premier tertiary acute care center in the Charlotte metro area. Outpatient services are focused at the Levine Cancer Institute, a US News Top 50 Cancer Center and first cancer center in the United States to receive CARF accreditation. This fellowship allows for flexibility to maximize experiences which will most benefit the candidate for their future career in cancer rehabilitation.
Clinical opportunities include:
• Inpatient cancer rehabilitation services, including solid, liquid and benign pathologies
• Inpatient consultations and outpatient evaluations
• Supportive care services, including integrative medicine, oncological psychiatry, palliative care and survivorship
• Oncological specialties, including solid tumor, benign and malignant hematology, radiation oncology and surgery
Please view our brochure (PDF) for further information on the Cancer Rehabilitation fellowship.
Interested candidates must have excellent clinical and academic credentials and be very motivated to be challenged in a dynamic academic, clinical and operational environment.
Please send cover letter and curriculum vitae to:
Lorena C. Ostrea
Cancer Fellowship Program Coordinator
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
1100 Blythe Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203
Email: Lorena Ostrea
Meet the Faculty
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Bhavesh Patel, DO Outside of medicine, Dr. Patel enjoys traveling with his wife and children, exploring new restaurants, practicing yoga, and weightlifting. He is also an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys both watching and playing football, basketball, and volleyball. |
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Vishwa Raj, MD Dr. Raj currently serves as Chair and Specialty Medical Director at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and as Medical Director at Carolinas Rehabilitation. He is also the Chief of Oncology Rehabilitation for the Levine Cancer Institute. His clinical practice encompasses both inpatient and outpatient cancer rehabilitation, with particular expertise in lymphedema management, hematologic malignancies, and neurologic tumor rehabilitation. Dr. Raj is actively involved in regional and national initiatives focused on improving rehabilitation outcomes for oncology patients and participates in research aimed at enhancing functional recovery for individuals living with cancer. Under his leadership, his program became the first to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in cancer rehabilitation. He is also engaged in national efforts related to healthcare reform, patient access, and optimizing utilization of inpatient rehabilitation services in the United States. |
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Terrence Pugh, MD Dr. Pugh currently serves as Medical Director of Carolinas Rehabilitation–Charlotte, Director of Oncology Rehabilitation at Carolinas Rehabilitation, and Vice Chief of Cancer Rehabilitation at Levine Cancer Institute. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Association of Academic Physiatrists, and the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Outside of his professional work, Dr. Pugh enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching and participating in a variety of sports, traveling, and enjoying music and movies. |
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Charles Mitchell, DO He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Cincinnati. During residency, he received the Arnold P. Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award and participated in several research projects, including a retrospective pediatric cancer rehabilitation chart review and a prospective study evaluating robotic intervention for post-stroke hemispatial neglect. Dr. Mitchell’s clinical and research interests include cancer rehabilitation, transitional care for pediatric-to-adult cancer survivors, and the integration of medical technologies in rehabilitation medicine. In his free time, he enjoys biking nature trails, exploring local food fairs and festivals, and travelling to national parks. |
Current Fellow
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Aaron Wilson, MD Cancer Rehabilitation Fellow 2026-2027 Hometown: Commack, NY Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine Residency: Stony Brook University Professional Interests: Cancer Rehabilitation, Prehabilitation, Lifestyle Medicine, Pain Management Why Carolinas Rehabilitation: I chose Carolinas Rehabilitation because I felt it was a perfect fit for me. The robust inpatient/outpatient experience and CARF-accredited cancer rehabilitation floor would give me a well-rounded fellowship year. The faculty are all very interested in teaching and want to help you achieve your personal career goals. The incredible, modern, high-tech facilities also provide an excellent work environment! |
Past Fellows
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Hanna Mielke-Maday, MD
Cancer Rehabilitation Fellow Hometown: Chicago, IL Why Carolinas Rehabilitation: I was so excited to join the program here as it has everything I was looking for. Firstly, Carolina's rehab has a CARF accredited cancer rehabilitation floor where I knew I would be able to learn from a great variety of pathologies. There is opportunity to be very well rounded with a great balance of inpatient, outpatient clinic, consults, and electives. The attendings are so friendly and supportive and truly place your learning and your future career goals above all else. I also knew I would get the rare experience to spend time with related fields to learn from their expertise and be able to bring this knowledge to my patients. North Carolina is beautiful so that certainly helped too! |
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Daniel Trinh, MD
Cancer Rehabilitation Fellow Hometown: Fort Smith, AR Why Carolinas Rehabilitation: Carolinas Rehabilitation was the absolute best match for my professional goals—a great balance of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, plenty of resources, and tons of support. They have a well-established cancer rehabilitation program, which will expose me to what I need to start my future career. The faculty has been committed to my profession development not in just my fellowship but also for future endeavors like program development and career options. I am excited to be part of such an excellent team, and future fellows will definitely love being here. |
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Bhavesh Patel, DO, Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Why Carolinas Rehabilitation: I loved my time rotating here as a medical student and was excited for the opportunity to return for further training! Carolinas Rehab has a strong, well-established cancer rehabilitation program with a very welcoming and supportive group to work with. Dr Raj is committed to ensure well rounded training for his fellow, not only in cancer rehabilitation but also program and practice development. I feel confident that my training here will prepare me well for my career in cancer rehabilitation, and I am excited to stay in an academic setting to help mentor future physiatrists! |