Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program Overview

On behalf of the University of Chicago and NorthShore, Dr. Kathryn Mills, Fellowship Program Director, and Dr. Elena Diaz Moore, Assistant Program Director, are excited to introduce you to our program. We are committed to training outstanding clinician-scientists who will be the future leaders in the field of gynecologic oncology. Our program was established in 2010 and consists of a 3-year curriculum, comprising 12 months of protected research time and 24 months of alternating clinical rotations at our two campuses: UChicago Medicine in Hyde Park and NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston. We are proud of the camaraderie and collaboration among faculty members and fellows and believe this is palpable to all who visit.

Our gynecologic oncology programs continue to expand at both campuses. Currently, we have 10 faculty members  at the University of Chicago Medicine campus and 5 at NorthShore University HealthSystem who have trained at a variety of institutions, accompanied by diversity and breadth of clinical practice patterns and expertise. Both campuses offer robust surgical volume, including a busy robotics program, as well as a large number of upper abdominal tumor debulking and other radical pelvic surgery cases. We have dedicated research laboratories within the Section of Gynecologic Oncology at both institutions, strong collaborations with clinical researchers, resulting in a breadth of research opportunities for our trainees. We also have a fierce commitment to clinical trials and clinical trial development, as well as a diverse patient population with a full spectrum of diseases.

The goals of our program are to train:

1. Excellent surgeons, independently competent in the breadth of complex surgical procedures a gynecologic oncologist should be able to perform, including open, laparoscopic, robotic, and vaginal surgery.
2. Outstanding clinicians with an expansive knowledge of tumor biology, the principles of gynecologic malignancies, treatment, and associated medical conditions.
3. Oncologists with a strong understanding of chemotherapy drugs, including standard cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted and experimental agents, accompanied by an understanding of the indications, mechanisms, administration, expected response and toxicity of such agents
4. Physicians competent in the principles of palliative care and able to communicate effectively with their patients about goals of care and end-of-life issues.
5. Compassionate providers who can recognize patients as individuals, prioritize patients’ needs over their own, adhere to ethical practices, and utilize systems-based learning to continually improve patient care and advance the field of gynecologic oncology.
6. Gynecologic oncology educators are committed to training the next generation of gynecologic oncologists, expanding the knowledge of their staff and allied health professionals, and providing their patients with an understanding of their disease and health-related conditions.
7. Oncologists with a high regard for research, either evident in their academic careers as clinician-scientists or demonstrated by an appreciation for and understanding of ongoing investigations, which encompasses the critical interpretation of the literature and the judicious application of research findings to patient care.

Sample Block Schedule

Includes 12 months of dedicated research, 22 total GYN/ONC clinical months and 2 off-site rotations (SICU + Palliative Care).

UC=University of Chicago Medical Center
NS=NorthShore University Medical System
Res=Research
Palliative= Palliative Care
SICU=Surgery ICU

Locations

Both UCM and NSUHS educational sites are staffed by a diverse and experienced group of Gynecologic Oncology faculty with each participating in NRG clinical trials, and selected faculty are committee members and PIs or co-PIs of major clinical trial initiatives. UCM is a parent institution and a Phase I site that is capable of performing Phase I, II and III clinical trials. NSUHS is also a member of HOG (Hoosier Oncology Group) and the Princess Margaret Cooperative Research Group participates in Phase I, II and III clinical trials.

Additionally, both sites have Gynecologic Oncology faculty with independent research laboratories dedicated to translational research.