Overview
Cleveland Clinic's Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship is a fully accredited Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) approved breast training program. The fellowship is one of the first in the country, training breast surgery fellows since 2000. The primary goal of the fellowship is to provide in-depth multidisciplinary training in the diagnosis and treatment of both benign and malignant breast disease.
The major strength of this program is its large volume and experience in mastering the advanced surgical techniques performed by our renowned breast surgeons such as nipple sparing mastectomies, hidden scars, oncoplastic surgery, lymphedema prevention surgery.
The Cleveland Clinic breast surgical oncology fellowship combines experience in academic surgery at the Main Campus and Community Surgery at our community programs, Fairview, Avon, and Hillcrest Hospitals. At the Main Campus, the breast fellow will gain experience with participation in national clinical trials, treating advanced surgical disease, as well as partake in surgical innovation and research. At our community hospitals, the fellow learns hands-on ultrasound, high-volume operative experience and breast cancer survivorship. The fellow will also have an opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of management of benign breast disease, high-risk screening, risk-calculation and medical genetics with our medical breast team.
Additionally, on multidisciplinary rotations, the fellow will work with micro and reconstructive surgeons to understand reconstruction, oncoplastics, and lymphovenous bypass. Rotations in radiation oncology and medical oncology allow the fellow better understanding of clinical trials, evidence-based medicine, and palliative medicine. Furthermore, rotations in pathology, genetics, and lymphedema clinic make for a robust multidisciplinary understanding and education in the diagnosis and treatment of all breast conditions. The Breast Surgical Oncology fellow maintains an independent Breast Fellow clinic where they see their own scheduled patients with varied types of breast issues and diagnoses.
This is an academic fellowship with weekly multidisciplinary conferences, educational lectures, monthly research meetings, and journal clubs. Cleveland Clinic residents and medical students on rotation afford an excellent opportunity for the fellow to teach. It is expected that the fellow will complete a clinical research project during the fellowship year that will be submitted for publication and presentation at a national meeting.
Rotations
The fellow learns the multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer through dedicated monthly rotations.
- Breast Surgery (6 months)
- Medical Oncology (1 month)
- Radiation Oncology (1 month)
- Radiology (1 month)
- Medical Breast, Genetics, Breast Rehabilitation and Lymphedema Clinic
- Psych-Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Breastfeeding Medicine
- Plastic Surgery/Reconstruction/Oncoplastics (1 month)
- Pathology
- Clinical Research
Staff
Program Director, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship
Associate Program Director, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship
Faculty
How to Apply
Physicians eligible to apply must be board eligible or board certified in General Surgery as determined by the American Board of Surgery.
- Applications are submitted online at Society of Surgical Oncology.
- Cleveland Clinic only accepts fellows through the SSO match.
- For additional GME information, please visit Graduate Medical Education.
More Information
To request more information
Breast Surgical Oncology Program Director:
Dr. Stephanie A. Valente
Cleveland Clinic
18200 Lorain Ave / Moll Pavilion
Cleveland, OH 44111
Phone: 216.252.2235
Email: valents3@ccf.org
Breast Surgical Oncology Associate Program Director:
Dr. Vincent Wu
Cleveland Clinic
9300 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.445.3945
Email: wuv4@ccf.org
Breast Fellowship Program Coordinator:
Elizabeth (Liz) Conn
Fairview Hospital
18101 Lorain Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216.973.8748
Email: conne3@ccf.org
