DALLAS, Texas, June 9, 1998--The Center for Breast Care at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation have teamed up to offer a new one-year fellowship for physicians interested in the multispecialty care of breast-cancer patients.
The unique program, scheduled to begin July 1, takes a multidisciplinary approach to breast care, ensuring that the physician gains an in-depth understanding of the breast-cancer patient's entire treatment. The program places special emphasis on refining physicians' skills in counseling and discussing such topics as quality-of-life and end-of-life issues.
"We are delighted to join the Komen Foundation and offer a fellowship that specifically addresses the needs of physicians in comprehensively treating breast-cancer patients," said Dr. George Peters, executive director of the Center for Breast Care and holder of the Marilyn R. Corrigan Distinguished Chair in Breast Cancer Surgery.
"This fellowship has the potential to set a new standard for multidisciplinary breast care," said Elda Railey, director of national grants. "Through this unique program, the fellows will broaden their scope of understanding in all treatment issues faced by a breast cancer patient. It also provides training in genetics and -- quite uniquely -- the effects of this disease on a patient's daily life and family. It's comprehensive approach to training in today's world of specialization."
Fellows will be trained in pathology, plastic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, surgery, genetics and psychiatry/psychology at UT Southwestern. They will also spend one day a month at the Komen Foundation headquarters developing their communication skills. Successful candidates must hold an M.D. or equivalent degree and be board-eligible or board-certified in one of the above areas.
The Center for Breast Care is a patient-centered, one-stop treatment facility dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for women with benign and malignant breast disorders. Patients are cared for by a team of UT Southwestern physicians who are actively involved in developing new therapeutic approaches to improve breast-cancer care.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36. The Foundation is the nation's largest private funder of research dedicated solely to breast cancer. In addition to funding research, the Foundation and its affiliates fund innovative breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects for the medically underserved in communities across the country.
For more information regarding the fellowship, please call (214) 648-4890.