Santa Monica, California
Training Program Director: Vivian Wu, MD, MPH
The Saint John’s Cancer Institute (formerly the John Wayne Cancer Institute) has a rich history in surgical oncology training and innovative cancer research. Over the years, the institute has been outstanding in training leaders in the field of complex general surgical oncology. On January 1, 2021, The John Wayne Cancer Institute formally changed its name to Saint John’s Cancer Institute but the continued dedication from our talented physicians and researchers that built the world-renowned reputation in cancer care remains. With our new name comes with it new energy and dedication to train the Surgical Oncologists of tomorrow.
About the Program
The Donald L. Morton, MD Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship is an ACGME‑accredited 2-year program at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. One of the nation’s largest surgical oncology fellowships offers multidisciplinary clinical training and a strong clinical‑translational research component.
Clinical Rotations
The fellowship’s two-year core curriculum integrates 18 months of inpatient and outpatient surgical oncology training with four months of protected research and longitudinal rotations through medical and radiation oncology, pathology, genetics, and biostatistics assuring a comprehensive, multidisciplinary foundation.
Fellows train primarily at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, with additional rotations through Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, The Angeles Clinic, UCLA, Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles, Providence Saint Jude Medical Center, and Providence Holy Cross Medical Center—offering exposure to a diverse spectrum of surgical oncology practices across Southern California.
Research Opportunities
This unique multicenter program bridges clinical expertise with translational science, preparing fellows to lead in both academic and practice-based settings. Fellows participate in weekly tumor boards, lectures, and national conferences; present their research at major society meetings; and develop peer-reviewed manuscripts under the guidance of faculty mentors.
Training also includes instruction in clinical trial design, translational protocol development, and grant proposal preparation, ensuring graduates emerge as capable academic clinician–scientists ready to advance the field.
Eligibility and Applications
Candidates must be eligible for a California Medical License. Eligibility for the clinical fellowship includes: (1) successful completion of a general surgery program accredited by the ACGME, AOA, ACGME International (ACGME-I) Advanced Specialty Accreditation, or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC); (2) at the time of entry into the fellowship program all applicants will be board eligible or board certified general surgeons under the auspices of the American Board of Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery; and (3) an interest in a career in academic surgical oncology. Trainee salary is provided, commensurate with the local cost of living expenses.
For more information visit our website : Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship
How to Apply
Please refer to the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) website for instructions on how to apply to our program. We are participating in the match through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP).
Contact Information
| Contact: | Vivian Wu, MD, MPH, Program Director Ronald Wolf, MD, MPH, Assistant Program Director Adrianna Lawrence, Program Manager |
| Address: | 2200 Santa Monica Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90404 |
| Phone: | 310-449-5291 |
| Email: | adrianna.lawrence@providence.org |