Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship

UCLA Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship 

Program Overview

The UCLA Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, accredited by the Society for Surgical Oncology, is a one-year program designed to train a surgical breast fellow in the multidisciplinary care of patients with benign and malignant breast disease. We aim to train exceptional clinicians, researchers, and leaders in our field. 

Program Director: Mediget Teshome, MD
Associate Program Director: Jennifer Baker, MD
Training Sites: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, and Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

The UCLA Breast Fellowship Program offers a one-year clinical, educational, and research experience in surgical breast oncology for fully-trained general surgeons who seek advanced and comprehensive training in the multidisciplinary care of patients with benign and malignant breast disease. Our goal is to train surgical leaders who substantially impact patient care, education, and research in both community and academic settings. UCLA Health treats approximately 1,500 breast cancer patients a year, with over 1,000 breast surgeries performed annually at the two main campuses in Westwood and Santa Monica. The fellows rotate with UCLA faculty in multiple practice settings including: Westwood - the academic hub which houses the Ronald Reagan Medical Center and the Revlon Breast Center, UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center - our 265-bed community hospital which is located just 3.5 miles away and Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, a safety net hospital within the Los Angeles County Health Services Department integrated health system. This allows for a robust clinical training spanning the spectrum of breast disease in all populations. 

Clinical Training

The breast fellow spends at least six months on the surgical rotation with one of the UCLA Health breast surgeons at these two sites learning advanced surgical techniques, including oncoplastic approaches, nipple-sparing mastectomies, and the pre-mastectomy nipple delay. The fellow will also become adept at using ultrasound as an extension of the clinical breast exam, surgical planning, and intraoperative localization of breast lesions. Additional rotations are dedicated to medical oncology, radiation oncology, plastic surgery, breast imaging, breast pathology, genetic counseling, psychosocial counseling and rehab, and clinical research. 

Research Opportunities

With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the breast fellow is expected to develop, complete and present a research project at a national meeting during the fellowship year. Fellows will also be active participants in recruiting to relevant medical or surgical clinical trials. 

Conferences and Didactics

Our fellows are encouraged to become trainee members of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and have access to these conferences and professional development resources. Courses in biostatistics and grant writing are offered to the fellow through the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). A dedicated breast curriculum is presented in a bimonthly lecture series by UCLA faculty over the course of the fellowship year. The Breast Tumor Board occurs weekly, during which all breast cancer patients are presented by the faculty/fellow and discussed by the multidisciplinary team. The breast fellow is also responsible for coordinating quarterly breast journal clubs for the rotating residents with a faculty moderator. 

Eligibility

Applicants must have successfully completed an ACGME accredited general surgery residency program in the United States and be Board-eligible or Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery or an equivalent certifying body. USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 must be completed prior to start date. 

Applications

For updated application information, please also refer to the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) website. 

Application Requirements

• A curriculum Vitae (CV)
• ABSITE scores
• USMLE step 1-3 scores
• Minimum 3 letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• ECFMG letter
• Photograph

Submit your application at National Matching Services. 

Application Timeline

• Meet & Greet: April 1, 2025
• Interviews (In-person): April 2, 2025

Contact Information

Fellowship Program Director: Mediget Teshome, MD
Email: [email protected]

Associate Program Director: Jennifer Baker, MD
Email: [email protected]

Fellowship Program Coordinator: Yazmin Lona
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 310.206.2567
Fax: 310.267.0369

Address: Surgery Education, UCLA Department of Surgery
10833 Le Conte Avenue, CHS 77-123, Los Angeles, CA 90095