Boston, Massachusetts

Program Director: Ranjna Sharma, MD, FACS
Program Coordinator: Linda Cutone

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, offers a one-year Breast Surgery Fellowship approved by the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Our program is uniquely positioned within a dynamic collaboration between BIDMC and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), providing fellows with comprehensive exposure to the full spectrum of breast disease. Clinical care spans multiple sites, including the BIDMC campus, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Beth Israel Deaconess–Needham, offering diverse operative and ambulatory experiences. The BIDMC Comprehensive Breast Center focuses on patients with benign and high-risk breast conditions, while the cancer program is closely integrated with DFCI, where fellows participate in multidisciplinary oncologic care. Our goal is to train future leaders in breast surgical oncology through a rigorous clinical, academic, and multidisciplinary experience.

Clinical Experience

The fellowship provides extensive experience in the management of both benign/high-risk and malignant breast disease. Fellows lead the breast surgery service, working closely with residents, medical students, advanced practice providers, and nurse navigators.

Multidisciplinary training includes:

• Medical Oncology (DFCI)
• Radiation Oncology
• Breast Imaging
• Pathology
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Genetics
• Rehabilitation/Physical Therapy
• Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care

Fellows actively participate in multidisciplinary clinics and conferences at DFCI, gaining deep exposure to team-based oncology care.

Distinctive clinical features include:

• Dedicated Fellow’s Clinic with graduated autonomy
• Participation in a comprehensive High-Risk and Prevention Program which includes exposure to a mammography-based AI tool for personalized breast cancer risk prediction (ClAIrity breast)
• Operative experience across multiple practice settings, including BID–Needham
• Community outreach opportunities across the greater Boston area

Education and Didactics

The program offers a robust and structured educational experience. Fellows play an active leadership role in teaching residents and medical students.

Core educational elements include:

• Weekly Breast Tumor Board
• Weekly Radiology-Pathology Correlation Conference
• Monthly Journal Club
• Breast Fellowship Didactic Series
• Department of Surgery Grand Rounds
• Dana-Farber Breast Oncology Seminar Series
• Morbidity and Mortality Conference

Additional opportunities include participation in Harvard Medical School educational programs and the BIDMC Academy of Educators.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Research is an integral component of the fellowship. Fellows are expected to develop and complete a research project with dedicated mentorship and formal training in study design and statistics.

Expectations include:

• Completion of a research project suitable for presentation
• Abstract submission to a national meeting (e.g., SSO or ASBrS)
• Manuscript preparation for publication

Fellows benefit from the rich research environment at BIDMC and DFCI, with access to clinical trials, outcomes research, and innovative technologies.

Contact Information