The Department of Surgery offers a one-year International Surgical Oncology Fellowship to fully trained surgeons from outside the United States and Canada who desire further experience in surgical oncology. There is a significant opportunity to become well trained in the broad field of surgical oncology, as well as to become a leader in the multidisciplinary care of the cancer patient. The program began in 1992 and there are over 25 alumni.

Clinical Training

The clinical training throughout the fellowship is divided into one-month rotations and follows the mentorship model. Fellows spend one to two months each on the Hepatopancreatobiliary, Colorectal, Gastric/Mixed Tumor, Breast, and Thoracic Services, as well as in the Departments of Pathology and Radiation Oncology.

Fellows are responsible for preoperative and postoperative patient care and will perform surgical procedures under the direction of an attending surgeon. They are exposed to approximately 200 major operative cases during the year. Fellows also participate in outpatient clinics, rounds, lectures, seminars, journal club, and research conferences. They are responsible for helping supervise and instruct residents and medical students.

Education

There are department-wide and service-specific conferences that enhance both clinical and research activities. The conferences of the department include weekly Grand Rounds, Surgical Oncology Conference, and a core course in surgical oncology. There are also weekly lecture series on surgical oncology-related topics, weekly service discussions, research conferences, and a fellow-run conference dedicated to resident education. Fellows have access to all conferences with the Center, which number up to 50 per week.

Research

Research interests are discussed with each fellow at the beginning of the fellowship. It is hoped that background reading and preparation will lead to clinical research projects during the year. Basic science research projects are also available as active programs exist within the department and the institution.

Benefits and Environment

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan — a vibrant, safe community with many nearby activities for adults and children. Salary and benefits are provided to all fellows according to level of training (number of postgraduate years). In addition, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center provides housing accommodations at a subsidized rate to all fellows in the form of unfurnished apartments within a short walking distance of the hospital. There are many schools and affordable childcare options nearby.

Deadline

Completed applications should be returned May 1st. Applications arriving after May 1st cannot be accepted for the current application cycle. Selected candidates are encouraged to come to New York to interview; however telephone interviews are also offered. Selections will be made before July 1.

Length of Program

One year

Eligibility

Candidates must be graduates of a recognized foreign medical school and have completed a general surgery residency training program in their country. The candidate must also be interested and committed to expanding his/her expertise in surgical oncology.

The candidate must have passed the USMLE examinations or any equivalent predecessor or successor examination and hold a valid ECFMG certificate. Selected candidates must qualify for and obtain a limited permit to practice medicine from the New York State Education Department, in accordance with its requirements be visa-eligible.

In addition, the candidate must certify intent to return to his/her home country upon completion of training.

Number of Positions

1-2

How to Apply

Applications must include the following items:

• Memorial Hospital Graduate Staff Application form
• ECFMG full certification: Applicants must have completed USMLE Steps 1, 2CK, and 2CS prior to submitting an application to our program
• Current CV
• Copy of MD diploma (with translation, if necessary)
• Personal statement: This should include a description of the candidate’s personal qualifications and motivation for applying to the program, as well as a detailed professional plan to return to his or her home country upon completion of training
• Three letters of recommendation addressed to Dr. T. Peter Kingham: One of these letters must be from the department chairman
• Photograph

If any of these requirements are not met or are incomplete upon submission, the application will not be processed.