Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah Health Complex Surgical Oncology Fellowship

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Training Program Director: T. Clark Gamblin, MD, MBA, MS 

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West. Based in Salt Lake City, the institute serves patients throughout Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming, representing the largest geographic catchment area of any NCI-designated cancer center. The Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship is housed within the University of Utah Division of Surgical Oncology and provides advanced training in a dedicated cancer hospital supported by the clinical, educational, and research resources of a major academic health system. The two-year program prepares fellows for independent practice and leadership in academic surgical oncology through broad multidisciplinary experience, progressive operative autonomy, continuity of care, research mentorship, and close collaboration with medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, genetics, and supportive oncology.

Training Program Details 

The fellowship accepts candidates for one (1) clinical fellowship position per year. The two-year curriculum provides comprehensive training in hepatopancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal surgical oncology, melanoma, sarcoma, endocrine surgery, breast surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, and peritoneal surface malignancies. Time is built into the second year for elective rotations to explore areas of specific interest. Fellows will also complete the required medical oncology, radiation oncology and pathology rotations. Fellows train primarily at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics. Clinical experience includes open, minimally invasive, and robotic approaches; complex hepatopancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal resections; cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy; endocrine surgery; and multidisciplinary management of breast cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, and other complex malignancies.  

During the first year, fellows complete three months of hepatopancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal surgical oncology, three months of melanoma, sarcoma, and endocrine surgical oncology, one month of breast surgical oncology, and one month of colorectal surgery. Additional rotations include medical oncology and radiation oncology, along with two months of dedicated research. 

The second year includes three additional months each of hepatopancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal surgical oncology and melanoma, sarcoma, and endocrine surgical oncology. Fellows also complete one month of breast surgical oncology, one month of surgical pathology, two months of electives, and two additional months of research. Electives may provide further experience in a core clinical area or complementary disciplines such as palliative care or physical medicine and rehabilitation. 

Throughout the program, fellows participate in outpatient clinics, multidisciplinary tumor boards, weekly educational conferences, preoperative planning, operative care, perioperative management, and longitudinal follow-up. Four months of dedicated research time support faculty-mentored work in clinical trials, translational research, outcomes research, health services research, or population-based investigation. Fellows are expected to participate in scholarly activity and contribute to the education of residents and medical students. 

Eligibility and Application Requirements 

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency in the United States or Canada and must be eligible for certification by the American Board of Surgery. Applicants must also be eligible for a Utah medical license and meet all institutional Graduate Medical Education appointment requirements.  

How to Apply 

Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and fellowship positions are offered through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Complex General Surgical Oncology Match.  

Application dates, required documents, and interview information are available at https://medicine.utah.edu/surgery/surgical-oncology/complex-general-surgical-oncology-fellowship 

Contact Information