Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship
ACGME Fellow - 2 years

Hometown: New York, NY
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
Residency (for fellows): Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Program

Why Did You Choose City of Hope? As I headed to the airport after my interview, I began jotting down notes from the day’s events, and the two words that kept coming to me were “great fit.” I was drawn not only to the wide breadth of surgical training but also the opportunity for high-impact research.

Why did you choose your specialty? I am fascinated by the underlying biology of cancer: how it starts, how it spreads, and how it defends itself against our barrage of therapies. To successfully treat cancer is to first understand its evolutionary origins and its mechanism for survival. As a former computer scientist, I enjoy the challenges that come with solving technical problems.

Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship
ACGME Fellow - 2 years

Hometown: Hayward, CA
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Residency (for fellows): University of Nebraska Medical Center

Why Did You Choose City of Hope? With my background in research, I wanted to choose a training program that was not only strong clinically but also academically in research. I found City of Hope to have a very strong clinical training program with a good case mix, advanced surgical techniques including robotics, and high volumes to allow exposure to complex surgical procedures.

Why did you choose your specialty? I have always been interested in the pathophysiology of cancer from a research perspective, and in medical school I was drawn to surgery early in my training due to the immediate impact you can have on symptomatic patients. I found surgical oncology to be a perfect combination for my interests and strengths and very rewarding from a patient care perspective.

Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship
ACGME Fellow - 2 years
 
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Medical School: University of California San Diego
Residency (for fellows): University of Illinois at Chicago Metropolitan Hospitals
 
Why did you choose City of Hope? City of Hope is a phenomenal institution in an amazing city. What drew me to City of Hope is the personality of the program and the faculty. There is a great sense of collegiality and community. The faculty at City of Hope truly care about the best interest of the fellows and are all very approachable, something that truly sets City of Hope apart from other fellowship programs.
 
Why did you choose your specialty? I became a physician because I wanted to help people, a desire that sprang from my most strongly held values and a moral voice deep inside me. My path to becoming to surgical oncologist has been influenced by mentors who inspire me to not only conquer cancer by skillfully cutting, but also by comforting and consoling cancer patients and their families.

Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship
AGME Fellow - 2 Years
 
Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois
Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago
Residency (for fellows): Mayo Clinic
 
Why Did You Choose City of Hope? Impressed by faculty, the facilities and the learning environment.
 
Why did you choose your specialty? I enjoy the disease processes and multimodality treatments.

Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship
AGME Fellow - 2 Years
 
Hometown: Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Residency (for fellows): Oregon Health & Science University
 
Why Did You Choose City of Hope? City of Hope has all the characteristics I am looking for in surgical oncology fellowship — superb training in technical skills and clinical judgment, an extensive supportive alumni network, diverse faculty with numerous opportunities for mentorship and the benefits of training at a cancer center.
 
Why did you choose your specialty? I have wanted to pursue a career in surgical oncology since I first started on my surgical clerkship as a third year medical student. Firstly, the care of cancer patients gives the surgeon an opportunity to build deep, longitudinal and rewarding relationships founded on trust and shared decision making. Besides giving the clinical work great value, these relationships also serve as a potent, personal motivator to push the field forward. Finally, I simply love the cases. I know that the complex, unique and elegant operations performed in surgical oncology will challenge and reward me throughout my career.

Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship
AGME Fellow - 2 Years
 
Hometown: Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Residency (for fellows): University of Washington
 
Why Did You Choose City of Hope? City of Hope not only affords an excellent clinical experience in cancer care, including robotic and hepatobiliary surgery, but also strong translational research opportunities. I felt a great fit with all of the team including faculty, staff and current fellows at City of Hope.
 
Why did you choose your specialty? I was drawn to surgical oncology due to the complex and multidisciplinary care required to treat cancer. I am also interested in the wide variety of academic and research opportunities in cancer biology and immunology, particularly in the ability to translate basic science findings into therapy to treat patients with cancer.