Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program

The aim of the UC Irvine Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship program is to train academic gynecologic oncologists to lead research-oriented units within obstetrics and gynecology departments nationwide.

Key Objectives

The program prepares graduates to excel in:

• Patient care
• Medical knowledge
• Professionalism
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Practice-based learning and improvement
• Systems-based practice

These core competencies ensure fellows provide safe, effective care for women with gynecologic cancers.

Program goals and objectives establish a structure of graduated responsibility across multiple practice settings, serving culturally diverse populations with a spectrum of health conditions and varying access to care.

Program Highlights

Our fellowship is distinguished by:

• Renowned Faculty – Nationally and internationally recognized experts in gynecologic oncology
• Extensive Clinical Research – Opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research
• Robust Clinical & Surgical Training – Hands-on experience across diverse practice settings
• Leadership Development – Active involvement in national and international professional organizations

Faculty mentors have research concentrations in the following areas:

• Structural molecular biology
• Growth factors and signaling
• Cell transformation and carcinogenesis
• Cancer epidemiology and cancer genetics
• Cancer screening and prevention
• Experimental therapeutics
• Healthcare disparities
• Global health

Training features of the program include didactic coursework in the areas of responsible conduct of research, biostatistics and epidemiology, and cancer-related electives; national scientific meetings; and numerous other multidisciplinary seminars, lectures and symposia.

The UC Irvine Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship training program has been successful in several areas:

• The division has continually nurtured basic research collaborative work for its gynecologic oncology fellows through its ties with the strong basic research on the main UC Irvine campus and at UC Irvine Medical Center.
   
• The research lines have been focused with each fellow building on the work of previous fellows, and current and past faculty, leading to significant results with clinical relevance. The division encourages the exposure of new fellows to the research interests of the training mentors.
   
• The fellows have not only produced successful basic research results, but have also served as translational agents in bringing these basic research efforts into the clinical component of their training.
   
• The research experience of these physician-scientists has made significant contributions to the treatment options available to women with gynecologic cancers.
   
• As the foundation for a strong training program in gynecologic oncology requires a large source of patient referrals, the high esteem with which the program’s faculty members are held in the community is, perhaps, one of its greatest strengths. All of the physicians based at UC Irvine Medical Center are recognized within the area for their clinical skills and research accomplishments. Each attracts a large number of referrals to the system, supporting fellow training.
   
• Our program is closely affiliated with the Departments of Radiotherapy, Pathology and Interventional Radiology at all facilities participating in the fellowship training program. The collegial working relationship with members of these departments ensures patients receive optimum care and fellows receive comprehensive training.
   
• Finally, the high quality of residents in our department programs, which is generally acknowledged to be among the best in the country, attracts equally high-quality applicants for the fellowship program while providing superior support for the day-to-day management of patients with complex medical and surgical problems. 

The Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship at UC Irvine Medical Center is a three-year fellowship program that includes a 12-month period of research investigation and 24 months of patient care, as described by the Division of Gynecologic Oncology of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Year 1

11 months of research rotation, including time in an assigned lab, and one month of clinical rotations

Year 2

12 months of clinical rotations

Year 3

11 months of clinical rotations and one month of research

UC Irvine Medical Center

The highest-volume and -acuity training site, UC Irvine Medical Center hosts a three-resident team and is home to a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. There are active clinical trials, an integrated ICU, and robust services in radiation oncology, genetics, pathology and palliative care.

Long Beach Memorial

This moderate-volume and -acuity community setting hosts a one-resident team. It is home to the Todd Cancer Institute and has an active clinical trial program, an integrated ICU, and providers specializing in radiation oncology, genetics, pathology and palliative care.

St. Joseph Hospital

A higher-volume and -acuity community setting, St. Joseph Hospital has no residents but includes a large nursing team with navigators and chemotherapy nurses. Some clinical trials are conducted at the hospital, which also boasts a strong pathology service, large multidisciplinary tumor boards, an integrated ICU, and radiation oncology, genetics, pathology and palliative care providers.