In addition to contributing to the education of medical students, the Division plays an important role in the training of residents in our general surgery residency program. The educational focus is on the initial work-up, diagnosis, and management of breast abnormalities, as well as the management of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, soft tissue, and skin.

Rotating on the breast surgery service gives residents extensive operating room experience, as well as experience with the multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment. Participation in lectures and in the weekly multidisciplinary breast conference is required.

This service features a weekly treatment planning conference, a multidisciplinary forum where potential treatment options for patients with newly diagnosed cancer or patients with recurrent disease are reviewed. At this conference, individual cases are presented to a team of highly trained cancer specialists, including radiologists, breast surgeons, pathologists, reconstructive surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists.

Indeed, our multidisciplinary team approach to breast cancer treatment distinguishes the quality of care we provide for our patients, as well as the quality of education we provide for our students and residents.