Current Faculty
- David O’Malley, MD – Division Director
- Floor Backes, MD – Associate Fellowship Director
- David Cohn, MD, MBA
- Laura Chambers, DO
- Larry Copeland, MD
- Casey Cosgrove, MD – Associate Fellowship Research Director
- Christa Nagel, MD – Fellowship Director
The Ohio State University College of Medicine Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology, established in 2008, is a three-year program that includes one year of research followed by two years of clinical training. The goal of the fellowship program, led by Christa Nagel, MD, is to train gynecologic oncologists who are exemplary physicians to care for and provide consultation and comprehensive management to patients with gynecologic cancer.
This is accomplished through training fellows to be:
- Gynecologic oncologists, who are able to manage the full range of technically complex surgical issues and complex medical problems that arise in women with gynecologic cancers including abdominal/pelvic/genital surgery, chemotherapy management, surveillance and survivorship care, and end of life care.
- Educators, who can transmit the information learned during their fellowships to the patients they manage as well as to other medical personnel (i.e, obstetrician/gynecologists) and the future generation of gynecologic care providers.
- Researchers, innovators and collaborators, whose investigation of the clinical and basic scientific questions will lead to improved outcomes in women with gynecologic cancers and novel treatment paradigms.
- Lifelong learners who continue to strive to improve their overall skills, and understanding of all aspects of gynecologic oncology over the course of their careers.
Current Fellows
- Pauline Haight, MD, 2022-2025
- Molly Morton, MD, 2022-2025
- Annie Gonzalez, MD, 2023-2026
- Julia Chalif, MD, 2023-2026
- Dani Glassman, MD, 2024-2027
- Jess Velasquez, MD, 2024-2027
Incoming Fellows
- Zach Gentry, MD, MBA
University of Alabama (Birmingham)
- Reed O’Connor, MD, PhD
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Gynecologic Oncology at The James Comprehensive Cancer Center
Research
The research fellow is expected to complete one year of lab research leading to their research thesis as required by American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). The fellow may either develop an independent research project or integrate their interests into an existing collaborative research path within the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, together with PhD molecular biologists, clinician scientists.
Cosgrove Lab
The Casey Cosgrove, MD, laboratory is dedicated to the evaluation of biomarkers in endometrial cancer that are both prognostic and predictive of response to treatment. In particular, tumor microenvironment including NK and T-cell interplay are being explored in relation to traditional pathologic features as well as targeted therapeutic response. Opportunities also exist for additional study including pathology and molecular features of rare endometrial tumors.
Karuppaiyah Lab
The Selvendiran Karuppaiyah (Dr. Selva), PhD, laboratory is focused on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their associated protein profiles, which play a critical role in the early pathogenesis of high grade serous ovarian cancer and chemotherapy resistance. We aim to identify potential candidate proteins within extracellular vesicles that can be used for early detection of ovarian cancer and serve as therapeutic targets for the development of effective treatments. Additionally, we investigate the correlation between extracellular vesicle protein profiles and clinical outcomes to identify potential prognostic markers.
Chambers Lab
The Laura Chambers, DO, MS, laboratory investigates how the microbiome impacts gynecologic cancer development and response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Her studies aim to identify specific microbes within the gut and tumor microbiome that are prognostic and predictive of response and resistance to immunotherapy and other cancer therapies and develop novel strategies to target the microbiome for therapeutic interventions. She collaborates closely with the lab of Dan Spakowicz, PhD, which supports microbiome collection in clinical trials at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and nationally and runs clinical trials that seek to modify the microbiome through dietary or other interventions.
Other examples of recent and ongoing lab projects
- Genetics and genomics of endometrial cancer integrating molecular and clinical features, functional characterization of mutations in genes that are associated with endometrial and ovarian cancer (large cohort studies in collaboration with PhD molecular biologists)
- Identifying the mechanisms of hypoxia-mediated ISG-15 expression leading to increased exosome secretion and how exosomal ISG-15 and its associated protein expression contributes to ovarian cancer progression and metastasis, providing preclinical evidence as to the efficacy of blocking exosome secretion pathways along with platinum treatment in ovarian cancer
- Identification and validation of exosomal proteins that are specific to early-stage HGSOC. This work is likely to be easily translated for clinical use, and will thus have a positive impact by decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with HGSOC
- Molecular profiling of ovarian cancer to identify and validate clinically relevant targets for use as biomarkers to screen for resistance mechanisms to targeting agents
- Using single cell sequencing of patient samples to identify pathways that are enriched in peritoneal metastases and contribute to selection pressures associated with peritoneal metastases
- Inflammation changes in endometrial tissue among white and black women at high risk of developing endometrial cancer
- Patient-reported outcomes among endometrial cancer survivors
- Use of vaginal tampon and blood samples from endometrial cancer patients to identify molecular biomarkers for disease recurrence
- Exploration of treatment and survival disparities among gynecologic cancer patients according to the social determinants of health (income, education, health insurance coverage, etc.)
The division also has a strong clinical research interests focusing on genetics (collaborations with Leigha Senter-Jamison), novel therapeutics and outcomes research focusing on population science and health disparities (collaboration with PhD population scientists such as Ashley Felix, PhD). During the research year, whether the focus is on translational and/or basic science, fellow education will include formal instruction on the development and execution of a research plan and on the communication of research findings (posters, oral presentations and publication).
At Ohio State and through the Comprehensive Cancer Center, the division has established extremely successful research collaborations that continue to expand. Throughout the fellowship, the fellows will perform mentored clinical research as projects evolve. Mentorship will be provided by the faculty who is supervising the research. Fellows can also use and benefit from existing clinical research databases that have been established within the division.
Clinical Training
Clinical fellows will have rotating blocks of inpatient service, operating room, outpatient clinics (surgical consultations, chemotherapy management and infusion, cancer surveillance and phase I program) and float (including some subspecialty rotations such as radiation oncology and surgical oncology).
Inpatient/Surgical Experience
The inpatient experience is located in the middle of The Ohio State University Main Campus at the James Cancer Hospital, the third largest free standing cancer hospital in the world and NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. There are 22 operating rooms in the James Cancer Hospital, all dedicated for cancer surgery where the division of gynecologic oncology performs approximately 1500 cases each year. Fellows operate with faculty surgeons as the primary surgeon or first assistant, or as the primary surgeon with residents as the first or second assistant and the faculty member as the first second assistant depending on the complexity of the case. Toward the end of the junior and through the senior clinical year, it is expected that, with experience, the fellow will assume more of a primary surgical role. The primary inpatient management will be the responsibility of the clinical fellows with attending supervision. The inpatient service is a combination of complex surgical and medical admissions including chemotherapy and clinical trial patients. Gynecologic Oncology has 24 designated beds on the 20th floor. The level of responsibility in patient management is equal throughout the clinical fellowship years, but the amount of input from the faculty regarding daily management may vary based on the fellow’s experience.
Members of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology provide comprehensive services for patients diagnosed with gynecologic malignancies, including radical pelvic and abdominal surgery, tumor debulking surgery for primary and recurrent disease, pelvic and vaginal reconstruction, advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery, heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and care for complications of diseases and treatments. The following are some of the unique clinical services available in the Division:
- Minimally Invasive Surgery:
- Advanced laparoscopic surgery in gynecologic oncology has been performed at Ohio State since the 1990s, and continues to play a major role in the surgical management of gynecologic cancer patients.
- Robotic surgery is performed by nearly all of our physicians.
- Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT): A dedicated linear accelerator in our cancer operating rooms makes it possible for selected patients to receive advanced radical pelvic surgeries in combination with intraoperative radiation therapy. This technique has been utilized in patients undergoing exenterative procedures, as well as those undergoing lymph node debulking for recurrent gynecologic cancers.
- Pelvic reconstructive surgery: Members of the division of gynecologic oncology perform these procedures, including vaginal reconstruction with myocutaneous flaps.
- Urologic and bowel surgeries: Faculty in the division of gynecologic oncology perform these procedures, which include bowel resections and urinary diversion.
Outpatient Experience
During the clinic rotation, fellows see patients with Gynecologic Oncology faculty in the free standing, outpatient building at Mill Run (15 min west from Main Campus). This busy clinic is solely dedicated to the comprehensive care of gynecologic cancers. The clinic at Mill Run sees approximately 1500 new patients each year, over 10,000 physician encounters a year (over 20,000 total patient encounters each year), and has its own infusion center with over 5000 chemotherapy infusion visits per year. We also have genetic counselors, physical therapists, social workers, patient care resource managers, chaplin, and dieticians daily on site to aide with all aspects of a patient’s cancer care.
Clinical Trials Experience
The Division of Gynecologic Oncology has its own clinical trials research support which is also housed at the Mill Run Outpatient Office. The Division of Gynecologic Oncology functions as an independent Disease Specific Research Group (DSRG) with Dr. Backes as its leader and has developed a robust portfolio. There are clinical trials available for virtually every known type of gynecologic cancer including rare tumor types. All 8 gynecologic oncologists participate in industry, GOG Partners, NCTN (National Clinical Trials Network, mainly NRG Oncology and SWOG), ETCTN, and investigator initiated studies, and has its own Gynecologic Oncology Phase I program independent of and separate from medical oncology. The Division is consistently among the top accruing institutions to (cooperative group) clinical trials and had the highest number of active patients on GOG Foundation trials nationally in 2022 across all GOG Foundation sites. On average, our group has 25-30 interventional therapeutic trials open, with approximately 100 patients on active clinical trials at any given time and many more in follow up, and is supported by 25 FTE positions, including 1 clinical research manager, 3 research nurses, 14 clinical research coordinators/specialists, and 7 clinical research assistants, as well as 3 regulatory compliance officers, 1 regulatory assistant, and 1 regulatory manager. Fellows also have extensive experience with all aspects of clinical trials including trial design and development, identification of trials for patients, consent process, enrollment, screening, managing toxicities of many novel agents and combinations, and response evaluation.
Didactic Education
Formal didactic education within the Division includes:
- Weekly OBGYN Grand Rounds (including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lecture series)
- Weekly Gynecologic Oncology Tumor Board
- Weekly Gynecologic Oncology Fellows’ Lecture Series (with lectures and discussions with internal and external invited faculty)
- Monthly Morbidity and Mortality review
- Monthly OBGYN Departmental Journal Club
- Every other month Gynecologic Oncology Journal Club
- Monthly Emerging Clinical Trialist Program (jointly with medical oncology)
- Monthly Leadership Development Program with James Cancer Hospital CEO/CMO (see below)
- Quarterly Fellow Wellness Program
Leadership Development Program
Our program offers a truly unparalleled leadership development experience for our fellows under the guidance of Dr. David Cohn, MD, MBA, Interim CEO and Chief Medical Officer of the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Over the course of two years, our evolving curriculum encompasses both a rich didactic schedule and interactive interviews with outside leaders. Through the didactic component, fellows explore various topics such as authentic leadership, mentorship and sponsorship, emotional intelligence, and gender, race, and ethnicity in leadership, and develop their personalized leadership legacy statement. The interview component provides a unique opportunity to gain insights and perspectives from successful leaders in the field of gynecologic oncology nationwide, analyzing and summarizing their insights to further enhance fellows' leadership skills. This dynamic and engaging program helps each fellow become the best authentic leader they can be, bridging overarching leadership concepts with personal stories and journeys.
Additional Information and Requirements
Ohio Medical License: The application process should be started immediately after you have been accepted as a fellow. It can take as long as six months for the Ohio Medical License process to be completed. You will also need a Federation Credentials Verification Service application (FCVS). Both of these websites are self-explanatory with the license requirements and application.
Fellowship Manager: Erica Johnson (erica.johnson@osumc.edu)
Fellowship Interviews (In-person):
- Friday, June 27, 2025
- Saturday, June 28, 2025
Prerequisites:
- Satisfactory completion of an ACGME approved OB/GYN residency program
- Provide three years of CREOG exam scores to erica.johnson@osumc.edu, as well as any relevant outside rotation scoring
- Provide 3 letters of recommendation: 1 SLOE from your fellowship program director (if applicable) and gynecologic oncology faculty, 1 from your residency program director, 1 optional
Additional Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship information can be found through the Society of Gynecologic Oncology.