Breast Health International is dedicated to fostering the talents of a new generation of physicians through a unique Multidisciplinary Fellowship Program in Breast Diseases, in which the fellow rotates through multiple independent academic medical centers. Rotations include surgery, pathology and breast imaging at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, radiation oncology training at Drexel University College of Medicine, and medical oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

In 2003, in recognizing that the contemporary management of breast diseases requires a comprehensive knowledge, BHI established the fellowship as a solution. Breast imaging, minimally invasive biopsy techniques, surgical pathology, radiation oncology, breast medical oncology, and medical genetics, as well as surgery (including reconstructive techniques) are requisite skills, taught by some of the region’s leading experts in each of these fields.

The year-long curriculum for the fellow allows for individual variations in interest, while providing superior training in all aspects of clinical breast care. The fellow runs a biweekly interdisciplinary breast conference and is an integral part of the teaching program for residents and medical students. Additionally, the fellow is expected to prepare at least two manuscripts (clinical research) suitable for publication in a peer-review journal during the course of the year. The year’s experience will prepare the fellow uniquely and proficiently for a subsequent appointment to an academic medical center or in the community practice of breast surgery.

Currently, one fellow is chosen annually, to serve from July 1st until June 30th of the following year. Generally, candidates must have completed a residency program in general surgery and be eligible to sit for examination by the American Board of Surgery, Inc. Rarely, a resident completing training in another discipline (e.g., obstetrics and gynecology) may be considered.

Our Philadelphia Breast Cancer fellowship has now completed the training of four young surgeons who have joined surgical practices from Connecticut to Florida to share their newly acquired knowledge, in turn, with other physicians and students. The program continues to be open to qualified surgeons who want to be “super breast doctors.”

Breast Health International’s goal is to create additional fellowships worldwide in subsequent years, but always with one in the Philadelphia area. The fellowship, which will act as an international exchange program for specialists in breast cancer, is unique to Philadelphia since more than one institution or medical school hospital is part of the program.

International Fellowship

Thanks to funds raised by Versace, Breast Health International and Versace have established the Versace/BHI Fellowship. The fellowship is the "first of its kind" international multidisciplinary program in breast diseases, and will be based in the Far East. However, unlike fellowships within a single institution, the Versace/BHI fellow will have an opportunity to study in Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy and the United Kingdom.