About Us
Volumes of research about breast disease point toward an increasing need for specialization in the field of breast health, including breast surgery. This need has developed into a breast surgery oncology fellowship. Akron General offers a one-year Society of Surgical Oncology Accredited Breast Surgery Oncology Fellowship position for exceptional and caring surgeons seeking additional post-graduate training to better understand and meet the needs of breast disease patients.
The full curriculum is offered through Akron General, including the Reflections Breast Health Center - a special service for patients, where the surgical evaluation process begins and treatment is expedited.
The multidisciplinary Breast Surgery Oncology Fellowship follows guidelines provided by the Society of Surgical Oncology and accepts applications through their Society of Surgical Oncology Matching Program. Our program offers surgical, clinical and research experience with supervised clinical responsibilities. Our Fellowship has received a full five-year re-accreditation by the Society of Surgical Oncology.
Rotations include:
- Breast Surgery
- Breast Imaging
- Medical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Psycho-oncology
- Genetic Counseling
- Clinical Research
- Supportive and Rehabilitative Care
Akron General participates in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) – a clinical trials cooperative group supported by the National Cancer Institute.
Program Director
Amanda Mendiola, MD, FACS
Faculty Members
Andrew H. Fenton, MD, FACS
Medical Director, McDowell Cancer Center
Mary K. Murray, MD, FACS
Faculty
For more information about this fellowship program, contact Amanda Mendiola, MD, at 330.344.2771 or MendioA@ccf.org or Kelly Harrison at harrisk38@ccf.org or 330.344.3092.
About Cleveland Clinic Akron General
About Akron General Reflection Breast Health Center
Akron General Breast Health Services are available to patients with abnormal diagnostic mammograms or breast conditions requiring surgical evaluation. Once a patient is referred either by their PCP or as a self-referral, Breast Health Services can facilitate scheduling for additional testing or procedures. Our Care Coordinator works side by side with the breast surgeons and referring physician to coordinate care every step of the way. Read more.
Welcome
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in our Society of Surgical Oncology accredited Breast Surgery Oncology Fellowship. Our program has been training successful breast surgeons since 2007.
Our institution serves as the southern regional hospital for Cleveland Clinic. The fellow receives training through our McDowell Cancer Institute, which is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The Reflections Breast Health Center has accreditation through Nation Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and is also an American College of Radiology Imaging Center of Excellence.
Cleveland Clinic Akron General is committed to education at many levels. It is affiliated with Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine (NEOMED) and has many successful residencies. This allows the fellow ample teaching opportunities to medical students on their surgical rotation and the surgical residents.
Fellows rotate through all required rotations and experiences as set forth by the SSO. In addition, the fellow has their own clinic with progressive independence as the year goes on.
The fellow can expect to have regularly scheduled lectures addressing the multidisciplinary approach to breast disease. It is required that the fellow participate in research and there is support from biostatisticians and research coordinators.
Based on past experience, the fellow will be able to obtain more than the minimum cases required by the SSO.
Ultrasound experience is very important for breast surgeons and the fellow will have exposure to this from both the surgical faculty as well as our radiology faculty.
Our mission is to provide our graduates with the necessary training to provide excellent, compassionate and multidisciplinary care for their future patients.
We welcome your interest in our program and look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Teaching Faculty
Program Director
- Amanda Mendiola, MD, FACS
Program Director, Breast Surgery Oncology Fellowship
Faculty
- Andrew H. Fenton, MD, FACS
Medical Director, McDowell Cancer Center - Mary K. Murray, MD
- Andrew H. Fenton, MD
Medical Oncology
- Fang Liu, MD
- Laurie Matt-Amaral, MD
- Kathryn M. Leininger, MD
- Ariel Sindel, MD
- Judy Tsai, MD
- Kim Cameron, NP
Radiation Oncology
- Susan Hong, MD
- Sara Grabowski, MD
- Ashok Ramalingam, MD
Pathology
- Anne E. Caveny, MD
- Jason Lane, MD
- Sarah Lott, MD
- Angela T. Powell, MD (Cytology)
- Eric D. Speakman, MD
Plastic Surgery
- James Gatherwright, MD
- Donald Harvey, MD
Radiology
- Kimberly Monteith, MD
Hereditary Cancer Program
- Jessica Marquard, MS, LGC
Application
We appreciate your interest in Cleveland Clinic Akron General and hope that we've provided you with the information you need to choose the right fellowship program. Akron General is able to offer an exceptional medical education experience because of our knowledgeable and hard-working staff. Cleveland Clinic Akron General is recognized regionally and within Ohio for its expertise and care. We maintain a standard of excellence that promises nothing but the best care for our patients and therefore, nothing but the best education for our medical students, residents and fellows.
- Fellowship applications must be submitted through the online Society of Surgical Oncology Matching Program
- Application Deadline: See SSO website for application schedule
- Interview Dates: TBD
- Expected Program Length: 1 year
Eligible Candidates
The Breast Surgery Oncology Fellowship 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. Fellows will be expected to obtain a Training Certificate to practice in the state of Ohio.
Life in Akron has so much to offer! Learn more about Greater Akron.
Current Fellow
PGY – 6
Nicole Reyes, DO
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Medical School: LECOM, Erie, PA
Residency: Kettering Health, Dayton, OH
Interests: TaeKwonDo, sports and playing guitar
Alumni
2023 Graduate
- Nadia Kamagate, DO — Southeast Permanente Medical Group, Atlanta, GA
2022 Graduate
- Rachel Kaczynski, DO — Texas Breast Specialists-San Antonio, Northeast, San Antonio, TX
2021 Graduate
- Nicki Downes, DO — CarolinaEast Medical Center, New Bern, NC
2020 Graduate
- Kristina Dzeba,MD — Summa Health System, Akron, OH
2019 Graduate
- Michelle Bryan, MD, PhD — Avera Medical Group, Sioux Falls, SD
2018 Graduate
- Vaishali Patel, DO
2017 Graduate
- Selyne Samuel, MD — Faculty,Comprehensive Breast Center of Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ
2016 Graduate
- Jennifer Saldanha, MD — Private Practice, Erie, PA
Research & Innovations
For more information about resident research in Breast Surgery Oncology, please contact:
Amanda Mendiola, MD
Program Director
330.344.2771
Adina Brett-Morris, PhD
Health Scientist
Department of Health Sciences
330.344.6791
BrettA2@ccf.org
