Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship
Fellowship Program Director: Nicole Christian, MD, MSCS, FACS.
The University of Colorado School of Medicine anchors the Anschutz Medical Campus, home to the state’s only NCI‑designated comprehensive cancer center. Within this integrated setting, the CU Breast Center brings together imaging, genetics, surgical and medical oncology, radiation oncology, plastics, rehabilitation, and supportive care. Fellows train primarily in this academic environment with additional exposure to the ambulatory surgical setting (UCHealth Cherry Creek Medical Center) and community practice setting (UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospitals). An optional rotation at Denver Health—the city’s safety‑net hospital—offers additional experience caring for diverse populations if aligned with fellow goals and interests.
Program Goals
The fellowship prepares graduates for independent practice and leadership in multidisciplinary breast care. Training emphasizes excellent clinical judgment, progressive procedural autonomy, and the ability to synthesize radiologic, pathologic, radiation, and reconstructive perspectives into patient‑centered plans. Scholarship, teaching, professionalism, and systems‑based practice are embedded throughout.
Rotations & Clinical Experience
Most of the year is spent on breast surgery at University of Colorado Hospital and UCHealth affiliated sites with a continuity clinic that follows patients from consultation through survivorship. An optional rotation at Denver Health broadens operative exposure and refines resource‑aware care. Experiences in breast imaging, medical and radiation oncology, pathology, plastic surgery, genetics, psycho‑oncology, and rehabilitation are designed with spaced repetition and inter-leaving to round out training of the adult learner. Supervision is initially direct with graded autonomy in clinic and OR; the fellow helps teach residents and students.
Didactics, Conferences, & Program Director Meetings
Education is protected and consistent: a weekly breast teaching conference, weekly multidisciplinary tumor board, regular M&M and grand rounds, and a standing journal club. The Program Director meets monthly with the fellow for coaching and feedback, conducts a mid‑year milestone review, and coordinates quarterly check‑ins with research and clinical mentors. Fellows will be assigned a faculty mentor based on their career goals. Annual program evaluation and multi‑source feedback support continuous improvement.
Research Expectations & Scholarly Development
Each fellow selects mentors early, completes human‑subjects training, and participates in a monthly research meeting focused on protocol development and work‑in‑progress. Methods training is reinforced within didactics. Expected outputs include at least one abstract submission/presentation and one or more manuscript submissions, with opportunities to engage in clinical trials as interests dictate.
Call, Work Environment, & Resources
Call is limited to the breast service; there is no general or trauma call. Duty hours and supervision follow institutional standards. Fellows have dedicated workspace, full EMR and library access, and simulation/skills resources. The culture is collegial and mission‑driven, combining the resources of a comprehensive cancer center with the practical experience of a safety‑net hospital.
Eligibility
Candidates must have completed either an accredited general surgery residency and be American Board of Surgery eligible, or an accredited OB/GYN residency and be American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology eligible. Interviews will take place via the SSO-sponsored Match Process, occurring in the year prior to the resident’s final year of training.
Contact Information
Nicole Christian, MD, MSCS, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Fellowship Program Director
Kathleen Tuthill
Director of Education
Interim Program Coordinator
kathleen.tuthill@cuanschutz.edu