Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Fellowship Program Director: Michael Cowher, MD
The Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC offers an integrated approach to the management of breast cancer patients in an academic tertiary care environment. The Breast Surgery Section of the Division of Surgical Oncology offers a one-year fellowship designed to provide in-depth multidisciplinary training in the diagnostic evaluation, surgical management, and adjuvant care of breast cancer patients in addition to management of patients with benign breast disorders. The goal of the fellowship is to provide the trainee with the independent skills to be a leader in breast care in an academic or community environment.
The Breast Fellow spends 6 months on the breast surgical service working with 5 breast surgeons. Over 1,800 breast surgical procedures are performed annually at Magee-Women’s Hospital. Over 2,210 ambulatory patients were seen in the Breast Surgery Clinics last year including over 1,000 new breast cancer patients. Significant emphasis is placed on the evaluation of breast imaging, pathology results, and patient risk factors to develop a comprehensive care plan. Elective time can be used to develop ultrasound skills. The remainder of the year includes rotations in Breast Imaging, Pathology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Plastic Surgery, Risk Assessment and Genetic Counseling, Psycho-oncology, Survivorship and Clinical Research. Fellows participate in a weekly Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Conference for treatment planning. Teaching conferences led by faculty in the Breast Cancer Program are designed to cover the core educational objectives developed through the SSO and ASBS. There are also many opportunities for community outreach because of close ties with the local breast cancer advocacy groups.
The Breast Cancer Program has an active clinical research program and participates in cooperative group trials through NSABP, ALLIANCE, and ECOG, as well as in-house investigator, initiated trials. The fellow is encouraged to participate in clinical research under the guidance of attending preceptors. The Breast Program is aligned with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center offering the opportunity for collaborative efforts with basic and translational researchers. Fellows are encouraged to submit an abstract for presentation to a national oncology meeting as well as a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal.
Prospective fellows must be Board Eligible or Board Certified in General Surgery and be eligible for an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Pennsylvania.
Contact Information:
Fellowship Program Director: | Michael Cowher, MD |
Contact: | Genaida Salgado Gina Angel Breast Fellowship Coordinators |
Address: | 300 Halket Street, Suite 2601 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 |
Phone: | 412-641-8532 412-641-1756 |
Fax: | 412-641-3075 |
Emails: |