The IU Breast Surgery fellowship program focuses on advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer and breast diseases.  Housed within a Department of Surgery known for innovation in surgical education, fellows also have access to teaching opportunities within the OR, classroom, and simulation center. The goal of the fellowship is to create a leader in breast cancer care and graduates will be capable of practicing in either an academic or community setting.

As part of the largest medical school in the United States, the Department of Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine consists of 9 divisions, including breast surgery, surgical oncology, acute care surgery, general surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, transplantation surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and peripheral vascular surgery. More than 120 faculty members help mentor over 100 residents and fellows each academic year pursuing specialized training.

The Division of Breast Surgery consists of 6 faculty members who practice at 5 hospitals in the greater Indianapolis area; including University Hospital, IU West, IU North, IU Fishers, and Eskenazi Hospital.  Fellows rotate through all of the sites gaining exposure to a unique blend of community and academic practices.

Curriculum

The fellow will get exposure to many of the advanced breast surgery techniques performed at our institution such as nipple sparing mastectomies, hidden scars, oncoplastic surgery, tissue rearrangement, aesthetic flat closure, US-guided procedures, axillary reverse mapping and lymphedema prevention surgery.

The year-long curriculum provides dedicated multidisciplinary rotations in breast surgery, plastic & reconstructive surgery, breast radiology, breast pathology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, physical therapy, genetics and high risk clinic. The fellow will spend time with our diverse team, including our RN navigators, advanced practice providers, clinical trials coordinators, and social workers, throughout their fellowship year.

In addition, the fellow will maintain an independent practice thru a weekly benign breast disease clinic.  

Educational Conferences

The fellow will have access to our weekly tumor board conferences at 3 hospitals. These are currently conducted virtually allowing for convenient participation depending on the rotation. The fellow will present cases based on the different rotations they are on. We boast a broad range of didactic topics and quarterly journal clubs. These are staffed by a multidisciplinary team in addition to our breast surgery division.

Research

With access to the Regenstrief Institute and Center for Outcomes Research, fellows will have ample opportunities to learn about clinical trial design, IRB submission, data acquisition and have the ability to present their research at both the local and national level. The fellow is expected to submit a research project to a national meeting for presentation and prepare a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Eligibility

We currently select one fellow per year for our one-year Society of Surgical Oncology accredited Surgical Breast Oncology fellowship. Applicants must have successfully completed an accredited General Surgery residency program prior to the start of the fellowship and must be board-eligible or certified.  

https://medicine.iu.edu/surgery/education/fellowship/breast-surgical-oncology