Thank you for your interest in the Surgical Oncology Fellowship program at the University of Chicago Medical Center.  Our fellowship is dedicated to the training of general surgeons to enable them to assume leadership positions, in the multidisciplinary care of the cancer patient, engage in high quality surgical oncology research, and pursue academic careers. 

The fellowship is approved by the Society of Surgical Oncology.  The program includes 18 months of clinical oncology training and 18 months of laboratory and clinical investigation.  The clinical component of the fellowship is designed to refine clinical judgement and surgical skills involving cancer diagnosis and treatment, and to provide working knowledge of radiation oncology, medical oncology, and surgical pathology.  Fifteen of the 18 clinical months are directed to Surgical Oncology specialties to enable the candidate to be adept at major oncologic resections and emphasize appropriate decision making that is necessary to deliver optimal cancer care.  The clinical experience will allow the fellow to assume a central role in the comprehensive management of the cancer patient and in the design and development of innovative therapeutic approaches that will be the hallmark of oncologic care in the twenty-first century.  The research component of the program provides an in depth experience in basic science, clinical and translational research after which fellows can establish an independent laboratory, develop original research projects, successfully compete for grants and prepare manuscripts in peer review journals.  In addition numerous and unrivaled opportunities for outcomes research are available. 

In the past few years many changes and additions in Surgical Oncology at the University of Chicago have occurred that enhance what is already recognized as an outstanding fellowship experience, however, space and time only allow me to briefly summarize these changes.  I have now been at the University of Chicago for eleven years as Chief of Surgical Oncology and Director of the Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program.  I am also Chief of the Section of General Surgery which allows` us to carefully coordinate the fellowship program to maintain its separate, yet complementary identity in the context of a University center.  Nora Jaskowiak is director for the program in breast oncology.  Mark McKee is a fully funded investigator who is the director of the melanoma/soft tissue sarcoma and GI tumor immunology program.  Alessandro Fichera directs our minimally invasive efforts in colorectal cancer.  Kevin Roggin leads a newly expanded and diversified hepato-pancreatic-biliary program.  Finally our new department Chairman, Jeffrey Matthews brings added expertise from both a clinical and research standpoint, to our hepato-pancreatic-biliary program.  Numerous research opportunities in Surgical Oncology are available to fellows that are continually funded through the peer review process and provide an unrivaled, productive experience in basic science and translational investigation.  These developments provide a support and organizational structure that are unique and conducive to achieving the goals and objectives of the Surgical Oncology Program.  By combining the strengths of this group with the other members of the surgical oncology team, I anticipate growth in the program that will be unrivalled.  The strengths of the program and programmatic growth are obvious and were acknowledged during our most recent site visit by the SSO and have resulted in full (five years), unconditional approval by the committee.

Candidates must be either board eligible in general surgery or in surgical subspecialties.  If you wish to apply for training in our program, please fill out the Standardized Surgical Oncology Training Program Application found on the Society of Surgical Oncology webpage http://www.surgonc.org.  Send your curriculum vitae and three letters of recommendation to the address below.  One of these letters should be from the Chairman of your program.

The Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Chicago participates in the matching program organized by the Society of Surgical Oncology.  Complete applications must be received by August 1.  Candidates will then be invited for an interview during September.  Again, thank you for your interest in the University of Chicago.

Sincerely yours,
Mitchell C. Posner, M.D.
Thomas D. Jones Professor of Surgery
Chief, Section of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology
Director, Surgical Oncology Fellowship

University of Chicago Medical Center

5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC6040

Chicago, IL  60637