The Polly Suk-Yee Cheung Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship provides multidisciplinary, specialized training in breast cancer care and surgery, with a program designed to support the fellow’s progressive advancement to clinical independence during the training process.
The breast oncology program at U-M Medical School is one of the country’s most respected, delivering multidisciplinary care that coalesces expertise in surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, reconstructive surgery, oncology nursing, cancer genetics, fertility preservation, psycho-oncology, rehabilitative medicine and survivorship. This richly interdisciplinary approach to care is the foundation for training our fellows.
Trainees in the U-M Medical School Polly Suk-Yee Cheung Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship can expect:
- A unique level of independence: As a fellow, you’ll be appointed as an instructor in the Division of Surgical Oncology in the U-M Medical School Department of Surgery. Accordingly, you will be given the opportunity to have independent, yet mentored, clinical time. This preparation is invaluable in preparing for the next step in your career.
- Well-rounded training: In addition to surgical training, fellows rotate through subspecialty clinics, including medical oncology, breast cancer genetics, reconstructive surgery, breast imaging, pathology, psycho-oncology, fertility preservation, rehabilitative medicine and survivorship, with additional opportunities to participate in our outreach clinic in Flint, Michigan Fellows will also learn skills to support patients through experiences with outreach and advocacy. Understanding the care of the whole patient is a critical educational mission.
- Wide range of academic opportunities: From basic science to outcomes research, fellows have their pick of academic development opportunities, including support to attend regional and national meetings. Furthermore, fellows have the chance to participate in the medical school curriculum helping to teach medical students and residents.
Applicants should be board-eligible or board-certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery.
Applicants should apply via the Society of Surgical Oncology Breast Oncology Fellowship Education Program.
Prospective candidates will be invited to interview at Michigan after receipt and review of completed applications.
One fellowship position is available each year.
Fellows join a high-performing multidisciplinary team at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute “comprehensive” designee. Clinical learning experiences include:
- Breast surgery clinic
- Subspecialty clinic rotations.
- Participation in the weekly Multidisciplinary Tumor Board.
- Robust surgical experience to hone techniques in lumpectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary lymph node dissection, skin-sparing mastectomy and nipple sparing mastectomy.
- A personalized plan of graded clinical independence to ensure self-sufficiency at the completion of the fellowship.
Current fellows are training to become future leaders in surgery. We emphasize teamwork, excellence, and leadership while preparing our fellows with resources to be successful in their careers.
The formal didactic experience for breast care fellows includes:
- Established Breast Didactic series covering important topics in multi-disciplinary breast cancer care
- Monthly involvement in the U of M Breast Imaging Lecture Series
- Monthly journal club
- Friday lunch series with the fellowship leadership to review complex clinic patients, post-operative plans, emerging clinical questions and evaluations
- A Clinical Practice and Career Development series to informally meet with invited guests and review practical topics necessary to start a breast surgery practice
- Monthly multidisciplinary breast educational forum, a CME-accredited lunchtime speaker series
- Annual Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Symposium, featuring internationally renowned guest faculty
- Access to monthly Rogel Cancer Center Grand Rounds program
- Department of Surgery Grand Rounds and D&C program
The Michigan Promise aims to empower faculty members and residents in the Department of Surgery to achieve professional success. We support initiatives connected to environment, recruitment, leadership, achievement, innovation and outreach.
The U-M Medical School boasts world-renowned research and development programs. Our goal is to help breast surgery fellows find the programs that best suit advancement in their interests and career path.
Breast surgery fellows:
- Are expected to complete at least one original research manuscript and review article or book chapter for publication.
- Receive support for attending the Society of Surgical Oncology annual symposium, with other opportunities to attend national meetings
- Can attend a comprehensive review course in biostatistics and epidemiology, offered by the U-M Center for Statistical Consultation and Research
- Can enroll in one of the U-M School of Public Health courses in epidemiology or biostatistics
- Have access to a career development and leadership programs through the Department of Surgery's Michigan Promise initiative
- Jasmine Walker, MD, MPH
- Bess Connors, MD
Next Appointment: Trinity Health Saint Mary’s (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Jessica Thompson, MD
Next Appointment: Spectrum Health Systems (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Rachel McCaffrey, MD
Next Appointment: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
- Stephanie Ng, MD
Next Appointment: Monmouth Medical Center
Associate Dean for Regulatory Affairs
Professor of Surgery
Professor of Pathology
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Associate Vice President for Research-Integrity and Compliance, UM Office of the Vice President for Research
Clinical Chief
Expand your career trajectory in a high-volume academic medical center that also supports and excels in a wide range of basic science, translational and clinic outcomes research programs.
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