SSO’s Observerships and International Career Development Exchange Programs are highly-regarded opportunities for SSO members 45 years of age or less. Select SSO international partner societies

SSO has a long-standing commitment to ensuring the growth of the profession and building surgical oncology leaders focused on quality care. To meet these goals, SSO has several programs in place including: Observerships, the International Career Development Exchange (ICDE) Program, Fellows Institute, a CGSO Board Exam Review Course and the Young Investigator Award research grant. In addition, SSO manages the Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program and supports the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program through the American Board of Surgery and the ACGME. Learn More.

SSO has managed the Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program for nearly 25 years. The SSO Training Committee plays an integral role in ensuring that the Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program Requirements and Curriculum are keeping pace with the changes in the field. In the summer of 2018, the SSO Training Committee charged a task force to review logged cases and evaluate the curriculum. Based on this review, the Training Committee brought forward recommendations to the SSO Breast Program Directors subcommittee and the SSO Executive Council.

To support Fellows training outside of their fellowship programs, SSO offers Fellows Institute and a CGSO Board Exam Review Course.

Successful completion of the CGSO Board Exam is a landmark milestone in the career of a surgical oncologist. SSO wants to help ensure that CGSO fellows pass the exam and take the next step in their surgical career. SSO is pleased to offer the popular CGSO Board Exam Review Course. This one-day program, held in Chicago on Saturday, January 25, 2020, is designed to be a comprehensive review of the most relevant information.

Research experience can contribute significantly to career growth in surgical oncology, especially for surgeons who have an interest in research and are pursuing surgical oncology in the academic setting. In 2016, SSO launched the Young Investigator Award (YIA), a $25,000, 1-year research grant for early-career surgeons. The application period opens annually in October, with the award recipient announced in March. Funds to support the SSO research grant program, which also includes the Clinical Investigator Award (CIA), are generated through SSO member charitable giving. To donate, go to https://www.surgonc.org/about-sso/donate/ or text SSODONATE to 41444.

Make plans now to attend SSO 2020 – International Conference on Surgical Cancer Care. SSO 2020 has evolved with 27 parallel and symposia sessions, Great Debates, featured lecturers and more opportunities to exchange knowledge. SSO 2020 will also feature the debut of SSO HUB, a new and interactive experience that replaces the conventional exhibit hall. Learn more about SSO HUB and the Call for Abstracts.

Advanced Cancer Therapies (ACT), the meeting formerly known as Regional Cancer Therapies, will be entering its 15th year with a name change that reflects the evolution of the meeting. Read more about the meeting from Program Chair, T. Clark Gamblin, MD.

The Annals of Surgical Oncology (ASO) and SSO have partnered to release a new podcast, Speaking of SurgOnc™, hosted by ASO Deputy Editor, Frederick L. (Rick) Greene, MD. Through interviews with SSO members who are experts in the field, podcast episodes will expand upon clinical concepts from articles published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. Learn more.

SSO recently participated in an independent supplement to USA Today titled, “Women in Surgery” by providing editorial content about the value of mentorship. This article features comments from three SSO members including SSO Treasurer Sandra L. Wong, MD, Callisia N. Clarke, MD and Nora Jaskowiak, MD. Read the article.