Roger Williams Medical Center Program

Thank you for your interest in the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the Roger Williams Medical Center. The program is recognized as one of the original Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) approved programs and received ACGME accreditation in 2013. This fellowship offers a comprehensive training experience designed to develop academic surgical oncologists who will achieve mastery in the technical and cognitive aspects of the specialty.

The fellowship, which runs for two years, focuses on multidisciplinary management of complex abdominal malignancies, with additional dedicated programs for breast and head and neck cancers. Roger Williams Medical Center serves as a regional referral center for hepato-bilio-pancreatic pathologies and sarcomas, offering fellows unique opportunities to engage in population-based research, specifically through the Geriatric Surgical Oncology and Cancer Care Disparities programs 1.

Educational Curriculum

The primary objective of the fellowship curriculum is to provide a robust clinical experience complemented by a strong focus on surgical oncology principles. The program includes comprehensive didactic education covering essential areas such as tumor biology, biostatistics, ethics, protocol writing, and grant development. Fellows are expected to produce at least one manuscript annually and to successfully defend a treatment protocol before the Institutional Review Board (IRB) 1.

Intensive mentorship is an essential feature of the fellowship, focusing on clinical research projects, presentations, and manuscript preparations. This structure aims to facilitate the fellow's transition into a well-rounded surgical oncologist with a firm foundation in clinical investigation 1.

Clinical Rotations

The first year consists of two four-month core rotations at Roger Williams Medical Center, focusing on General Surgical Oncology. The Division is split into two teams; one team specializes in head and neck malignancies as well as breast tumors, while the other concentrates on hepatobiliary, pancreatic, colorectal, and endocrine surgery, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques. Additionally, fellows participate in four-week rotations in Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Pathology 1.

The second year includes four months of dedicated research time, with rotations in the Women & Infants Hospital's Breast Department and with the gynecologic oncology service. Furthermore, fellows are provided with a one-month funded international elective, enriching their global surgical oncology experience 1.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages fellows to engage actively in research protocols at both institutional and multi-institutional levels. Areas of focus include ongoing studies on neoadjuvant therapies for head and neck, pancreas, liver, and rectal tumors, as well as protocols for melanoma and breast cancer 1.

Fellows gain exposure to clinical outcomes research initiatives through the Geriatric Oncology and Cancer Care Disparities research programs, greatly enhancing their academic portfolios and research acumen 1.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship is highly competitive, and prospective fellows must have completed an approved general surgical residency. Applicants must also be eligible for the American Board of Surgery examination. Preparatory materials and supporting documents must be processed through the AAMC ERAS system, with a strict adherence to application timelines and requirements 1.

In summary, prospective fellows must be well-prepared to showcase their qualifications and readiness for the rigors of surgical oncology through both academic and practical experiences 1.

Visa Sponsorship

The program offers visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, typically through the J-1 visa type, which allows training in the United States while ensuring compliance with federal regulations regarding the employment of foreign nationals 1.