Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Program

The Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers an extensive training program that equips fellows with the essential knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to independently manage patients facing complex cases of gynecologic cancers. Graduates from this program are proficient in performing gynecologic robotic surgery, preparing them for independent practice.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship is structured to cover in-depth knowledge on diagnosing, treating, and managing gynecological malignancies. The program encompasses a three-year training pathway. The first year is focused primarily on research. The second year includes alternating two-month service rotations with specialty rotations in areas such as pathology, surgical intensive care unit (SICU), surgical services, and palliative care. In the final year, service rotations alternate with urology, radiation oncology, breast and vascular services, along with research and elective time. During any rotation, fellows may be required to return to gynecologic oncology or to perform selected operative procedures.

Fellows receive training in both inpatient and outpatient environments. Inpatient training is part of patient rounds, facilitated by our full-time faculty in the wards, as well as in our operating rooms where individualized training is provided. Additionally, educational opportunities involve weekly conferences and daily inpatient reviews. Outpatient training occurs at The Tish Cancer Institute, particularly within the Ruttenberg Cancer Center where the fellows participate in clinics every Thursday morning. This integrative approach allows enhanced collaboration among surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and a senior medical staff who work together to optimize patient care.

Research

Fellows in the program have the unique opportunity to engage in groundbreaking research projects, specifically in collaboration with esteemed faculty such as John Martignetti, MD, PhD, and Peter Dottino, MD. The research primarily focuses on the genetics and genomics involved in ovarian cancer. Current projects utilize a rich repository of patient blood samples and tissue samples to investigate the presence of single tumor DNA copies. These research efforts link clinical information, treatment responses, and sample data which allows for the development of cell lines from patient tumors and the creation of mouse “avatar” models that facilitate further understanding and treatment of gynecologic cancers.

Application Process

The application process for the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship requires candidates to submit their applications through the National Resident Match Program (NRMP), utilizing the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges. This structured application process allows prospective fellows to present their credentials systematically and ensures a competitive selection process.

Visa Support

The Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship program is supportive of international applicants and can provide sponsorship for relevant visa types as needed, thereby enabling eligible candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Competitiveness

This fellowship is recognized as a highly competitive program, attracting a wide range of applications, including those from DO and IMG candidates. The program emphasizes a thorough review of each applicant's qualifications, experiences, and contributions to the field of gynecologic oncology.