BreastCare Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts

Training Program Director: Ranjna Sharma, MD, FACS
Fellowship Administrative Coordinator: Casey Walker

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is one of the major teaching hospitals for Harvard Medical School. The BreastCare Center is located in a newly renovated space on the 4th and 5th floors of the Leon V. and Marilyn L. Rosenberg Cancer Center in the Carl J Shapiro Clinical Center.  The BreastCare Center is fully accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), an accrediting body administered by the American College of Surgeons.

The Breast Surgery Fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a one year, SSO approved program.   It is our expectation that the fellows we train will become leaders in the field of Breast Diseases and Oncology.  They will develop strong clinical skills, gain experience in organizing and leading conferences, have many teaching opportunities and participate in clinical research. The fellow will be provided with opportunities for independent clinical and operative experiences as they progress through the program.

Clinical Rotations

Our fellow will learn to manage benign breast conditions, as well as in situ and invasive breast cancers. This will include the initial consultation, any needed procedures and follow-up.  During the 20 weeks on the breast surgery rotation, the fellow will lead a service that consists of the fellow, a third-year surgical resident, and 1-2 second, third and/or fourth-year medical student/s. Due to the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer and following the SSO guidelines, the fellow will spend time in psycho-oncology, survivorship, palliative care, breast imaging, pathology, medical and radiation oncology, breast reconstruction, and high-risk genetic counseling in organized rotations. Throughout the fellowship, the fellow will also work with oncology social workers and participate in community outreach. The breast fellow will work closely with the breast surgeon and their team that includes a nurse navigator and nurse practitioner.  At the completion of the year, it is expected that the fellow will be a competent breast surgeon who understands the value of the multi-disciplinary care model.  Progress will be evaluated throughout the year using competency metrics.   The training will be adjusted by utilizing these metrics to maximize the fellowship experience.

Meetings and Conferences

• Multi-Disciplinary Breast Clinic and Conference
• Weekly Radiology Pathology Breast Conference
• Weekly Tumor Board
• Monthly Journal Club
• Grand Rounds
• Morbidity and Mortality Conference
• Weekly breast didactic series

Education Experience

He/she will have a leadership role in the education of the medical student and resident rotating on the breast surgery service.  They will also have the opportunity to attend educational seminars through Grand Rounds at Harvard Medical School and the Education Academy at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Research and Clinical Trials

Research is a required part of the Fellowship.  Fellows are expected to complete a course on clinical research on human subjects. It is anticipated that the fellow will design and develop either a research project or clinical protocol in an area of their interest, which will lead to a publication or a presentation at a regional or national meeting.  A mentor will be identified to assist with developing a project, helping to complete the project and assisting with either the publication and/or presentation.

Eligibility

The applicant must have completed his/her residency training in general surgery at an accredited program in the United States, are board certified or eligible for board certification in Surgery, and who are eligible for Massachusetts medical licensure.

To Apply

The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Breast Surgery Fellowship is a Society of Surgical Oncology-approved training program. All applications must be established through the SSO Match Program. Please visit the Society for Surgical Oncology website for additional application information. In addition to the SSO application, we request additional items in compliance with ACGME guidelines:

• One copy of the completed application form
• A current curriculum vitae
• A letter of personal statement
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from persons best qualified to vouch for the character and professional qualifications of the applicant
• Absite In-Service Scores
• USMLE Transcripts
• A 2 x 3 photograph

Contact Information