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Breast Cancer Fellowship Surgical Training Program

Learn more about the Breast Cancer Fellowship Surgical Training Program available at the OSUCCC – James.

Breast Cancer Fellowship Surgical Training Program

    The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) has been designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center since 1976. The James opened as the adult patient-care component of the OSUCCC – James in 1990 and was replaced in 2014 by a transformational facility that integrates research and patient care more closely than ever for the thousands of patients who seek treatment here. The OSUCCC – James benefits from its proximity to seven health science colleges at Ohio State that collectively foster a strong culture of research collaboration. It also is strengthened by remarkable institutional commitment and community support throughout the tri-state area (Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia).

    Breast cancer care at the OSUCCC – James is delivered at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2011 and provides surgical, medical and radiation oncology care, in addition to many supportive services. The breast center’s team of surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, and radiation oncologists offers a full continuum of breast cancer care — from prevention and screening through detection, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship — all in one world-class facility.

    Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center building

    Take a Virtual Tour of the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center

    Mission

    The Breast Cancer Fellowship Surgical Training Program trains well-rounded surgeons to provide multidisciplinary breast cancer care using evidence-based practice. We boast a high-volume and diverse clinical practice based in a large academic center. Fellows receive training in the latest breast surgical techniques and in multimodality care, including medical and radiation oncology, radiology, pathology and genetics. We also assist with professional development based on each fellow’s career goals.

    Rotations

    Physicians in our one-year fellowship program participate in clinical rotations at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, which is home to central Ohio’s only multidisciplinary High-Risk Breast Cancer Program and specialized Cancer and Aging Resiliency (CARE) Clinic. Operative cases take place at The James, the third-largest cancer hospital in the United States and The James Outpatient Care. The fellowship program focuses on participation in the Breast Surgical Service and offers additional rotations in plastic and reconstructive surgery, radiology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, genetics counseling and testing, survivorship/oncofertility, community outreach and screening advocacy. Fellows also have a one-month elective period to complete research and attend national meetings. All fellows are provided with discretionary funding to offset costs of attending selected national meetings and courses.

    Research Opportunities and Mentorship

    • Basic/Translational Science
      • Matrix cancer center at a major university
      • 1/3 of our faculty have their own labs
    • Health Services Research
      • SHARP – Access to multiple national datasets as well as internal databases
      • CATALYST (Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research)
    • FAME (Faculty Advancement, Engagement and Mentoring)
      • Programs throughout year on topics related to professional development
    • Access to NCDB, SEER database and CancerLinQ

    • Monthly retrospective study group meeting (multidisciplinary)

    How to Apply

    The Breast Cancer Fellowship Surgical Training Program is open to candidates who have completed a five-year accredited Surgery program, who are board-certified or eligible for board certification in surgery, and who are eligible for Ohio medical licensure. The Ohio State University participates in the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) Fellowship match. The application, required materials and interview timeline can be found on the SSO website.

    Contact Information

    Fellowship Training Program Director: Bridget Oppong, MD, MPH, FACS
    Phone: 614-293-0758
    Email: Bridget.Oppong@osumc.edu

    410 West 10th Ave.
    N924 Doan Hall
    Columbus, OH 43210

    Program Manager: Morgan Badenhop
    Phone: 614-293-0758
    Fax: 614-293-3465
    Email: Morgan.Badenhop@osumc.edu

    2024 Fellow

    Sharnell Smith, MD

    Sharnell Smith

    As a breast surgical oncology fellow, my research interests focus on addressing racial disparities in breast cancer survival outcomes. I am committed to exploring the underlying factors contributing to these disparities and developing strategies to improve equitable care and outcomes for all patients.