Breast Oncology Fellowship at UMass Chan-Baystate
Discover What it Takes to be a Leader in the Field
The Society of Surgical Oncologists-accredited Breast Oncology Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate offers a one-year multidisciplinary breast disease curriculum. We have a patient-centered approach to education—known for our emphasis on the patient experience and shared decision-making.
Our fellowship is centered at the Baystate Breast & Wellness Center—the largest dedicated breast surgery practice in western Massachusetts. That means we have the high volume, high complexity patient experience to offer training in all aspects of breast disease, as well as expertise in women’s health, survivorship, administration and leadership.
Program Highlights
Leadership and Administration Curriculum
There are monthly sessions focused on the development of leadership skills. You will also learn practice management skills by attending the practice’s operations and staff meetings.
Outreach Experience
Outreach, rehabilitation and psycho-oncology experiences occur throughout the year, with a concentration of activity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Continuity of Care Patient Panel
You will select a panel of continuity of care patients, following them longitudinally throughout the year on their breast cancer experience—attending medical oncology/radiation oncology appointments, chemotherapy teaching, first chemo treatment, radiation planning, etc.
Fellow’s Clinic
Fellow's clinic is held one afternoon twice a month during which you will manage your own panel of patients under the supervision of one of the attending breast surgeons.
Enjoy Four Season Living
The city of Springfield is located in the Pioneer Valley—a thriving area in western Massachusetts boasting a myriad of music, art, history, and outdoor recreation opportunities. A mere few miles from the Connecticut border, you will find urban, suburban and rural housing and amenities.
When you live and work here, you will enjoy picturesque four-season living, year-round social and cultural events, and excellent schools. In fact, Massachusetts was once again ranked #1 in education nationally by U.S. News and World Report.
Program-at-a-Glance
The Breast Oncology Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate is a fully accredited Society of Surgical Oncologists (SSO) and American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) approved breast oncology fellowship training program. The fellowship offers a one year multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to breast disease education. As the largest dedicated breast surgery practice in western Massachusetts, we have the high volume and high complexity patient experience to offer training in all aspects of breast disease as well as education in research methods, leadership, and administration.
Our fellows gain extensive experience in advanced surgical techniques including nipple sparing mastectomies, oncoplastic surgery and hidden scar surgery as well as management of the axilla and lymphedema prevention. Use of ultrasound occurs regularly both in the clinic as well as the OR so that our fellows are facile with ultrasound upon graduation.
The fellowship is designed so that the fellow will work both at the tertiary medical center as well as two smaller regional hospitals to gain exposure to different work settings. In addition to our apprenticeship model of training, the fellow has a dedicated Fellow’s Clinic where the fellow will see and manage a variety of clinical diagnoses and patient care dilemmas.
We accept one fellow per year. Candidates must have completed a residency in general surgery or OB/GYN and be Board Eligible or Board Certified.
Fellowship Director
Holly Mason MD, FACS
Section Chief for Breast Surgery
Associate Professor of Surgery
E-mail: Holly.Mason@baystatehealth.org
Program Coordinator
Olivia Cipriani
E-mail: Olivia.Cipriani@baystatehealth.org
Phone: 413-794-2316
Program Metrics
- Length of program: 1 year
- Number of fellows per year: 1
Department Metrics
Baystate Breast Specialists
- >1000 new patients seen (all diagnoses, surgeon numbers only)
- ~500 new breast cancer patients per year
- Broad variety of breast disease (atypic, infections, wound care, high risk)
- Practice is supported by APPs and nurse navigators
- Surgery
- ~70% breast conservation rate
- >50% of mastectomy patients undergo reconstruction (offered to all appropriate candidates)
- Focus on oncoplastic and nipple-preserving mastectomy techniques
- Use of breast lesion localization techniques including ultrasound (in the office setting as well as the OR)
- Axillary management including reverse lymphatic mapping and lymphovenous bypass
Baystate Medical Center Metrics
- Baystate Medical Center is the major teaching hospital for UMass Chan-Baystate
- Number of hospital beds: 780
- Number of residency programs: 11
- Number of fellowship programs: 28+
- We have attempted to maintain salaries in the 75th percentile nationally, and here in western Massachusetts, we enjoy a lower cost of living than in major urban areas.
- 4 weeks vacation/year, free parking
- Disability/Malpractice/Health/Life Insurance
- Our fellow has office space with a dedicated desk and computer at the breast center, as well as access to the office at the hospital that the breast surgeons use.
- Baystate Health Sciences Library & Information Services and UMass Chan Medical School Libraries with access to online journals, books and other teaching resources
Breast surgical oncology is an ever-evolving field that goes beyond surgery alone. We provide a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to breast disease education that supports a balanced exposure to all aspects of breast care and encompasses the broad spectrum of breast disease—malignant breast disease, benign breast disease, high risk and gene mutation carriers, and wound care.
Western Mass: A Great Place to Live and Learn
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