SSO is proud to facilitate three mentorship programs to continue to develop leaders at various stages of their career in surgical oncology.
SSO’s Foster the Future Program is designed for talented surgical residents from communities historically underrepresented in medicine and/or lower-resourced programs or communities who are interested in a career in surgical oncology.
Learn more about the 2025 recipients here.
SSO’s Presidential Scholars Program focuses on pairing early career surgical oncologists, those within five years of their first faculty/staff appointment, with distinguished leaders in the field of surgical oncology.
Learn more about the 2025 recipients here.
SSO’s Career Catalyst Mentorship Program (CCMP) provides support and development opportunities for mid-career surgical oncologists, those within 7-15 years post training, by pairing them with the leading surgical oncologists in the field that share leadership and scientific interests.
Learn more about the 2025 recipients here.
Please contact Franki Cohen, Assistant Program Manager, at frankicohen@surgonc.org with any questions regarding SSO mentorship programs.
2026 Foster the Future Mentorship Program
Purpose
The Society of Surgical Oncology’s Foster the Future program aims to attract talented surgical residents from communities historically underrepresented in medicine and/or lower-resourced programs or communities who are interested in a career in surgical oncology. Resident awardees will be invited to attend the SSO 2026 Annual Meeting and be paired with SSO member mentors to provide a welcoming experience. The goal is to facilitate the mentees’ personal and professional growth towards surgical oncology fellowship training and a career in surgical oncology by providing guidance, support, and knowledge transfer from the more experienced SSO members.
Structure
- A cohort of 5 Resident Mentees will be paired with at least 2 (two) SSO Member Mentors at SSO 2026.
- Mentee/Mentor groups will meet virtually at least once prior to SSO 2026.
- Group and individual activities will be arranged at SSO 2026.
Award Details
Each of the accepted participants will receive the following:
- A stipend of $2,000 USD to assist with travel arrangements, which will be provided at SSO 2026 via electronic means. No checks or cash will be issued.
- Complimentary registration to SSO 2026.
- One year of complimentary Resident membership in the Society.
Applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Current categorical surgical resident in good standing in an ACGME-approved surgical residency program, or equivalent if international.
- If international, must have a current passport and be able to travel to the United States and obtain a travel visa to the United States if coming from a country where one is required.
The SSO reserves the right to evaluate and determine eligibility based on the information and justifications included in the requested materials.
Foster the Future Mentees must commit to:
- Attending the SSO 2026 Annual Meeting and activities.
- Actively engaging with SSO mentors prior to, during, and after the meeting.
- Completing an online information and agreement form distributed by SSO.
- Submitting a summary report about the experience and complete any surveys sent during the program, along with any follow-ups requested by SSO.
- Submitting any photos or videos taken during the SSO Annual Meeting and other activities for use on SSO’s social media, website, marketing materials, or for any other use in support of the program.
- Participants may be asked to record audio or video interviews regarding the experience.
Applications are Closed.
Please email Franki Cohen, frankicohen@surgonc.org, if you have any questions!
SSO Member Mentors are an integral part of this program, serving as long-term professional contacts for mentees. Mentors will be asked to:
- Meet virtually with their mentee at least once prior to SSO 2026.
- Meet with their mentee at SSO 2026and participate in the program activities.
- Serve as a long-term professional contact for their mentee.
| July 11, 2025 | Program launch announcement with detailed program information, application process, eligibility criteria, timelines, and applications. |
| July 23, 2025 | Applications close. |
| End of September/Early October | Application review period. |
| End of October | Notification Letters sent to applicants (no later than). |
| October/November/December | SSO staff work to pair mentees with their SSO mentor. |
| March 5-7, 2026 | SSO 2026. Phoenix, AZ. |
2026 Presidential Scholar Mentorship Program
Purpose
SSO’s Presidential Scholars program pairs mentees with distinguished leaders in the field of surgical oncology. The goal is to facilitate the mentees’ personal and professional growth by providing guidance, support, and knowledge transfer from the more experienced SSO members.
Structure
- This is a two-year commitment, beginning at SSO 2026 through SSO 2028.
- A cohort of mentee/mentor pairs will meet virtually at least twice per year and in-person at the SSO annual meeting.
- Additional in-person activities will be arranged when possible.
Award Details
Accepted mentees will receive a discount on meeting registration for SSO 2026 (not including any optional pre-meetings or sessions with an extra fee).
Applicant must meet the following criteria:
· A member of the SSO in good standing (2025 dues must be paid) to apply.
· Within 5 years of their first faculty/staff appointment and currently employed.
· Cannot have previously received an SSO International
Career Development Exchange grant.
· If international, must have a current passport and be able to travel to the United States and obtain a travel visa to the United States if coming from a country where one is required.
The SSO reserves the right to evaluate and determine eligibility based on the information and
justifications included in the requested materials.
Presidential Scholars must commit to:
- Complete an online information and agreement form distributed by SSO.
- Submit a summary report about the experience and complete any surveys sent during the program, along with any follow-ups requested by SSO.
- Submit any photos or videos taken during the SSO Annual Meeting and other activities for use on SSO’s social media, website, marketing materials, or for any other use in support of the program.
- Participants may be asked to record audio or video interviews regarding the experience.
Applications are closed.
SSO member Mentors are an integral part of this program, serving as long-term professional contacts for participants. Mentors will be asked to:
- Meet virtually with their mentee at least twice per year and at the annual meeting.
- Serve as a long-term professional contact for their mentee.
| July 11, 2025 | Program launch announcement with detailed program information, application process, eligibility criteria, timelines, and applications. |
| July 23, 2025 | Applications close. |
| August-September, 2025 | Application review period. |
| September-October, 2025 | Notification Letters sent to applicants (no later than). |
| Oct, Nov, Dec, 2025 | SSO staff work to pair mentees with their SSO mentor. |
| March 5-7, 2026 | SSO 2026. Phoenix, AZ. |
2026 Career Catalyst Mentorship Program
Purpose
SSO’s Career Catalyst Mentorship Program (CCMP), provides career and leadership development opportunities for mid-career surgical oncologists. The program focuses on topics meant to educate mid-career surgeons on the diverse pathways to leadership in surgical oncology.
Structure
This is a one-year commitment, beginning at SSO 2026 through SSO 2027.
- A cohort of 8 participants will participate in a pre-meeting session on Wednesday, March 4 at SSO 2026.
- Following the meeting, the participants will each take part in a one-week observership with a US-based SSO member mentor between April 2026 and February 2027.
- The cohort will reconvene at SSO 2027 and may be asked to be involved in the educational activities for future cohorts.
- Monthly virtual sessions (schedule included below in Key Dates section) will take place for the cohort and mentors between SSO 2026 and SSO 2027, along with potential face-to-face networking opportunities at other meetings such as the ACS Clinical Congress.
- The session topics for 2026 are under development, however, a sample of topics from 2025 is listed below:
- Your Leadership Style and Person Leadership Philosophy
- Financials for a Surgeon Leader (Without Getting an MBA)
- Facilitated True Colors
- My Journey to Leadership from each program track
- A Day in the Life of a…
- The session topics for 2026 are under development, however, a sample of topics from 2025 is listed below:
Award Details
Each of the accepted participants will receive the following:
- A stipend of $2,500 USD to assist with travel arrangements, which will be provided in advance of their institutional visit via electronic means. No checks or cash will be issued.
- Complimentary registration to SSO 2026 and the pre-meeting session.
- A 5-day observership at a US based institution with an SSO Member Mentor.
- SSO will match the participant with a host based on shared professional and scientific interests in areas including but not limited to:
- Hospital Administration
- Hybrid or Community Practice Systems
- Education Leadership
- Academic Surgical Leadership
- Cancer Center Directorship
- Research Leadership
- SSO will match the participant with a host based on shared professional and scientific interests in areas including but not limited to:
Applicant must meet the following criteria:
- An Active member of the SSO in good standing (2024 dues must be paid) to apply.
- 7-15 years post-fellowship or completion of surgical oncology training and currently employed.
- Cannot have previously participated in any of the following SSO programs:
- Presidential Scholars
- International Career Development Exchange
- Career Catalyst Mentorship Program
- If international, must have a current passport and be able to travel to the United States and obtain a travel visa to the United States if coming from a country where one is required.
The SSO reserves the right to evaluate and determine eligibility based on the information and justifications included in the requested materials.
CCMP participants must commit to:
- Complete an online information and agreement form distributed by SSO.
- Submit a summary report about the experience and complete any surveys sent during the program, along with any follow-ups requested by SSO.
- Submit any photos or videos taken during the SSO Annual Meeting and other activities for use on SSO’s social media, website, marketing materials, or for any other use in support of the program.
- Participants may be asked to record audio or video interviews regarding the experience.
- Meet any requirements obligated by the institution where they will complete their observership.
- Commit to participate in SSO 2026 and SSO 2027.
- Commit to participate in at least three quarters of the monthly online sessions that will take place between SSO 2026 and SSO 2027.
Applications are closed.
SSO member Mentors are an integral part of this program,
serving as institutional hosts and long-term professional contacts for
participants. Each will be invited to present on their “Journey to Leadership,”
outlining their career path and lessons learned along the way.
Mentors will be asked to:
- Participate
in the pre-meeting sessions at SSO 2026 and SSO 2027.
- Participate
in monthly virtual sessions throughout the year, when available.
- Host
their mentee for a 5-day observership at their institution.
- Serve
as a long-term professional contact for their mentee.
| July 11, 2025 | Program launch announcement with detailed program information, application process, eligibility criteria, timelines, and applications. |
| July 23, 2025 | Applications close. |
| End of October/September | Application review period. |
| End of September | Notification Letters sent to applicants (no later than). |
| October/November/December | SSO staff work to pair mentees with their SSO mentor/institutional host. |
| March 4, 2026 | Pre-meeting session at SSO 2026. Time TBD. Attendance is mandatory. |
| March 5-7, 2026 | SSO 2026. Phoenix, AZ. |
| April 2026-February 2027 | Participant visits Mentor institution.
Topics will be distributed as soon as they are finalized. |