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MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper recently announced that is received a three-year approval to establish a new Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program by the Society of Surgical Oncology, one of fewer than 50 programs in the nation.

“Receiving approval from the Society of Surgical Oncology for this new fellowship affirms the quality of the curriculum and the faculty at MD Anderson at Cooper,” said Kristin L. Brill, MD, FACS, program director for the Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center, and director of the Section of Breast Surgery, who will serve as program director for the fellowship.

“This new program will enable us to prepare surgeons to become experts in breast disease and in the implementation of the latest, evidence-based breast cancer treatments,” Brill said.

The fellowship is open to general surgeons nationwide. Fellows will spend one year developing a strong knowledge of all aspects of breast disease, breast medical oncology, and breast surgery.

Leaders from the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBS), the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), the American Society of Breast Disease (ASBD), and Susan G. Komen for the Cure developed the curriculum for fellowship training. The SSO conducts an extensive review and approval process for all new breast fellowship training programs. Each year, the SSO also administers and conducts a Matching Program to match qualified candidates with positions in approved training programs.

MD Anderson at Cooper will participate in the 2019 Match for residents and fellows and welcome the first fellow in August 2020. Fellows will complete rotations in breast surgery, pathology, breast imaging, medical oncology, radiation oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, cancer screening and community outreach, genetics, integrative oncology, survivorship, post-treatment rehabilitation, and research.

“As medical science continues to advance, fellowship-trained breast surgeons are needed to care for very complex cases,” said Dr. Brill. “We are proud of our role in training tomorrow’s clinical leaders.”

The Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center at MD Anderson at Cooper is one of the region’s leading providers for comprehensive breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.