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Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte, NC
Program Director: Lejla Hadzikadic-Gusic, MD, MSc, FACS

Carolinas Medical Center building

The breast surgery fellowship program provides comprehensive multidisciplinary experience in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast disease. The goal of the program is to expand the knowledge and skills of the surgical resident interested in breast disease. Our goal is to train surgeons who will be investigators and leaders in the field of breast surgical oncology and be positioned to lead breast programs locally and nationally.

Our comprehensive breast program is located in the Levine Cancer Institute and is part of the Division of Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery. The program includes six surgeons who focus on the care of patients with breast disease and is funded through the generosity of the Charis Cancer Fellowship.

Program Details

  • We have a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to the management of benign and malignant disease.
  • Our surgeons, annually, treat more than 1100 new breast cancer patients and manage over 1700 patients with benign breast processes.
  • We have an active high-risk program and our ten genetic counselors see over 600 new consults per year.
  • Fifteen dedicated breast radiologists perform almost 150,000 mammograms per year.
  • Our program is actively involved in clinical trials with the NRG Oncology Group, and the Alliance group as well as industry and investigator-initiated trials.
  • We are NAPBC certified and our breast center physicians are actively involved with the ASBS, SSO, NAPBC, and clinical trials groups.

Rotations

Our fellows have broad experience with substantial exposure to breast surgical oncology, breast pathology, breast imaging, medical and radiation oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and genetics. Additionally, there is dedicated time focused on integrative oncology, onco-fertility, psychosocial oncology, rehabilitative medicine with a focus on lymphedema management and community service in breast-related events. Our fellow conducts their own weekly breast clinic.

There is a dedicated weekly research conference and instruction in clinical trials, and statistics. The fellow is expected to develop, complete, and present at least two research projects at national conferences under the mentorship of an identified faculty member.

The fellow attends and presents at weekly multidisciplinary tumor board and breast conference, and weekly radiology/surgery treatment planning conference. There are monthly fellow led breast journal clubs and monthly didactic breast lecture series. The fellow assists in instructing residents, medical students and advanced care practitioners. Our fellows conduct their own weekly clinic with broad exposure to both benign and malignant disease. The fellow is expected to gain ultrasound skills including u/s guided biopsy, and be ready for certification at the completion of the fellowship.

Eligibility

Applicants must have successfully completed an accredited general surgery residency program in the United States and must be American Board of Surgery certified or eligible. One fellow per year will be selected, and interviews will take place in the fall preceding the match year. Application materials required by Levine Cancer Institute and Carolinas Medical Center are available on the SSO website.

Levine Cancer Institute and Carolinas Medical Center building

Levine Cancer Institute, part of Carolinas HealthCare System/Atrium Health, has a network of more than 25 locations across the Carolinas. Derek Raghavan, MD, President of Levine Cancer Institute, leads a team of nationally recognized cancer experts focused on providing advanced cancer care including state-of-the-art technology, Phase 1 clinical trials and a clinical pathway program that brings world-class cancer care closer to where people live.

The Institute’s research and administrative headquarters are located on the campus of Carolinas Medical Center, an academic tertiary hospital located in Charlotte, NC.

The Carolinas Medical Center Department of Surgery, under the leadership of Brent Matthews, MD, trains nationally competitive surgical residents and has fellowships in minimally invasive surgery, hepato-biliary surgery, and critical care in addition to breast surgical oncology.

Contact Information

Program Director:Lejla Hadzikadic-Gusic, MD, MSc, FACS
Email:lejla.hadzikadic-gusic@atriumhealth.org
Associate Program Director:Deba Sarma, MD, FACS
Email:Deba.Sarma@atriumhealth.org
Phone:980-442-6358
Fax:980-442-6359
Program Coordinator:Kerry Moller
Address:Levine Cancer Institute/CaroIinas Medical Center
1021 Morehead Medical Drive, Suite 6200
Charlotte, NC 28204
Email:Kerry.Moller@atriumhealth.org
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