Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology

The Fellowship in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is structured to prepare each fellow for a career in academic gynecologic oncology. The fellowship selection process identifies candidates with clinical and surgical aptitude, as well as interest and demonstrated ability in basic, translational or clinical research. These candidates are given the highest priority for acceptance into the program. The program, approved by the American Board of OB/GYN as a 3-year program, consists of 12 months of research (protected) and 24 months of clinical experience. Two fellows alternating with one fellow are accepted into the program each year. All fellows complete their required research year at the beginning of the fellowship. This structure results in three clinical fellows at all times. Upon completion of the fellowship, the newly trained gynecologic oncologist should have the necessary skills to accept an academic position, evaluate and manage patients with a variety of malignant and complex gynecologic conditions, perform advanced traditional and minimally invasive surgical procedures, participate in departmental research activities and teaching, and assume leadership roles in the administrative activities of a comprehensive cancer center.

The Division of Gynecologic Oncology is an integral part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. It is one of 40 NCI-designated centers in the United States and is under the direction and leadership of Dr. Edward E. Partridge, a gynecologic oncologist widely recognized as a leader in cancer policy development and cancer outreach programs. The Cancer Center is organized into nine major programs: Tumor Immunology, Structural Biology, Virology, Tumor Biology, Experimental Therapeutics, Neuro-Oncology, Women’s Cancer, Cancer Chemoprevention and Cancer Control and Population Science. The Center also conducts research in seven basic science programs including cellular immunobiology, molecular genetics, physical chemistry, molecular biology, matrix proteins, cancer pharmacology, and nutrition. It maintains 15 core research facilities shared by more than 250 medical center faculty members, including the faculty of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. Since its establishment in 1972, the Cancer Center has experienced a steady increase in faculty members, research programs, funding and space. The Cancer Center currently receives over $100 million in extramural support and has a total center controlled research space of over a 150,000 net square feet. The center treats more than 3,500 new cancer patients each year and serves as one of the major cancer treatment and referral centers in the southeastern region of the United States.

Members of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology enjoy a very close relationship with the Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition to Dr. Edward E. Partridge, who currently serves as Acting Director, Dr. Ronald D. Alvarez (Division Director) is co-leader of the Women’s Cancer Program. All remaining faculty in the Division have appointments to the center as scientists. The Division has a number of research initiatives that are pursued in collaboration with major programs with the Cancer Center. Examples include the development of novel monoclonal antibodies for ovarian and cervical cancer (in collaboration with Drs. Albert Lobuglio and Donald Buchsbaum) and the development of novel gene therapeutics (in collaboration with Dr. David Curiel). The first year fellow is positioned within one of several laboratories involved in the Division’s translational research projects. The clinical research facility has a computerized tumor registry that contains over 16,000 gynecologic oncology cases monitored since 1969. Strong support is provided from the Biostatistics Division of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, led by Dr. Seng-jaw Soong.

The Division has eight gynecologic oncology attending physicians and a very large volume of clinical material promoting the development of skills necessary to demonstrate competency in all aspects of management of patients with gynecologic cancer. Critical care training is also provided at our service hospitals. Each fellow spends one month of training at the beginning of each clinical year in the surgical intensive care unit before beginning formal rotations on the gynecologic oncology service.

Over the past 16 years, the Division has enjoyed significant growth in its faculty, research portfolio, and clinical volume. This expansion has provided an opportunity to restructure the fellowship training program, notably in areas that will prepare fellows graduating from the program to become future leading clinician scientists for our specialty.