The Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship is a four-year program designed to train obstetrician-gynecologists for productive careers in academic gynecologic oncology. Years 1, 3, and 4 are ACGME-accredited, and the second year is accredited by the TMB. Fellows must complete all years to fulfill the fellowship requirements and sit for ABOG certification.

Eligibility for this Fellowship requires satisfactory completion of an ACGME- or RCPSC-approved residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, successful completion of the ABOG written examination, and eligibility for a license to practice medicine from the Texas Board of Medical Examiners. Fellows accepted to the Program must be licensed to practice medicine in the State of Texas prior to initiation of the Fellowship.

Training is carried out at our main teaching facility, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and its affiliate institutions.

Twenty-seven months of the Fellowship Program involve clinical training in gynecologic oncology at UT Southwestern’s William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Parkland Memorial Hospital, and the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Twenty one months involve developing basic-science research skills in the Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences in preparation for a thesis. In addition, there are three months of specialized training:

• One month each of Radiation Oncology and Surgical Intensive Care
• One month of Pathology (2 weeks) and Genetics (2 weeks)

Goal of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship

The goal of this Gynecologic Fellowship Program is to prepare outstanding obstetrician-gynecologists for productive careers in academic gynecologic oncology. This program provides the clinical, instructional, and investigational foundation for such a pursuit. As set forth in the “Guide to Learning in Gynecologic Oncology,” training will be provided in the comprehensive screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers of the female genital tract and their complications. This includes radical pelvic and reconstructive surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

• Guide to Learning
• Fellowship Program Description

Fellowship Program Emphasis

Particular emphasis is placed on comprehensive care of the gynecologic oncology patient, including development of excellent surgical skills, critical care, and experience with clinical trials, and investigational agents. Fellows are responsible for all pre-, intra-, and postoperative patient care, and perform operations under the direction of an attending surgeon. They participate in the care of more than 400 new gynecologic oncology patients a year. This training complies with the guidelines for certification as a subspecialist in gynecologic oncology as set forth by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It also permits Fellows to be recognized by patients and colleagues as a consultants in gynecologic oncology.

Fellows are actively involved in the didactic and clinical education of medical students and residents. Basic and clinical research experience is provided to allow Fellows to design, develop, and obtain support for their own studies as well as direct the efforts of others. It is expected that gynecologic oncologists completing this Fellowship Program will be excellent candidates for NIH or other society-supported career development awards.

Fellowship Program Strengths

The strengths of this Fellowship Program are both its research and clinical components. The research years provide dedicated time to acquiring basic investigational skills in a gynecologic oncology laboratory. Here, Fellows learn the basics of hypothesis-driven research, grant preparation, and peer-review presentations, and publication skills. During this time, Fellows have limited clinical assignments and devote all their time to this research effort and the graduate course work required by ACGME.

The clinical aspect of the program is remarkable for its diversity and exposure to patient care at Parkland Memorial Hospital, UT Southwestern’s Clements University Hospital, and the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. The strengths of the Fellowship Program and its intent of academic preparation have been recognized by the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and its Texas Division in the form of awarded Clinical Oncology Fellowships.