International Surgical Oncology Fellowship

Patient Care and Surgical Skills
Trainees will have 10 months of on-service apprentice-style rotations. This model provides immersive exposure to the inpatient and outpatient practice for attending surgical oncologists. In both the clinic and operative environments, the attending will supervise the trainee's acquisition of technical skills and progress towards operative independence. Surgical skill training is augmented through simulation and wet labs. Fellows have 24-hour access to robotic surgery simulation platforms. Animal and cadaver labs are led by surgical faculty and offer mastery of complex, multi-team minimally-invasive and open abdominal and pelvic dissections in a low-pressure educational environment.

Academic Development
Within the Department of Surgical Oncology, and alongside our Complex General Surgical Oncology, HPB, Endocrine and Colorectal fellows, ISO fellows participate in weekly didactic lectures, case planning conferences, grand rounds, journal clubs, and multidisciplinary tumor boards. Within the greater Division of Surgery, fellows participate in a year-long Clinical Trial Design course. Beyond lectures from experienced faculty that cover clinical trial logistics, budgeting, statistics, ethics, and alternative trial design that culminates fellows have the opportunity to mature a clinical research question into aclinical trial with the help of faculty-led small group sessions. ISO fellows will also participate in the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Core Curriculum and Conference series, in which MD Anderson faculty members offer a formal oncology curriculum to all trainees enrolled in graduate medical education programs. Within their area of interest, ISO fellows will participate in clinical research with the goal of submitting a minimum of one manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal. 

• A graduate of a recognized non-US or Canadian medical school and completion of a general surgery residency program   
  • If in the final year of residency training, applicant must obtain a letter from their Program Director stating the applicant is in good standing and expected to graduate on time
• Fluent in English
• Completion of the United States Medical License Examination (USMLE) steps 1 and 2
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) full certification 
• The program will support a J-1 visa for the chosen applicant (H-1B visas are not supported)

An application packet should include the following items:

• Personal photograph
• Personal statement, 1-2 pages in length, that includes the following:
  • Personal and professional qualifications for advanced training in surgical oncology
  • Motivation for applying for the program
  • Professional plan for translating advanced surgical oncology training to improvements in cancer care in home country
• Copy of MD diploma
• Copy of ECFMG certificate
• USMLE scores
• Curriculum vitae (current within the last 3 months) 
• Case log from residency or case log from most recent 2 years as a credentialled faculty surgeon
• Two letters of recommendation. One must be from the Chair of the Department of Surgery.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications should be emailed to the Program Coordinator, Monica Perez (MFernandez1@mdanderson.org)

Application Deadlines 
Applications Accepted: July 1 - September 31
Virtual Interviews: October/November
Decision: November/December
Fellowship Start Date: August 1

MD Anderson is located in Houston, Texas within the Texas Medical Center (TMC)--the largest medical city in the world. Houston is the 4th largest city
in the Unites States and is rich in academic and cultural opportunities with outlets for every interest. The Museum and Theater Districts offer access to
world-class fine and contemporary arts exhibitions, Broadway musicals and plays, and musical performances by Houston's prestigious symphony orchestra and opera. Sports fans can cheer on collegiate, semi-professional and professional teams in football, soccer, baseball, basketball, rugby, cricket, roller derby, volleyball, dodge ball, and ultimate frisbee. Great food is available in every neighborhood, spans the gamut of international cuisine, and includes delectable options prepared in mobile food trucks all the way to Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants and BBQ.

Our trainees live in a variety of Houston neighborhoods, including West University/Rice Village, Montrose, the Houston Heights, the Museum District, or immediately adjacent to the Medical Center. Each of these neighborhoods have parks for family recreation and relaxation.

 For more information, go to Visit Houston.