Inova Schar Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship

The Inova Schar Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Inova Fairfax Hospital is excited to welcome applicants for our program! This 12-month multidisciplinary fellowship program boasts monthly clinical blocks interspersed with a hearty didactic schedule.

All of the rotations will take place at our world class facilities: Inova Schar Cancer and the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus.

Inova Schar Cancer is a brand-new facility that houses the breast surgery and cancer program. We offer training in the management of both benign and malignant breast disease. In 2020, 2,500 new patients were seen by our surgeons and 1,800 breast cases performed – half of which were for cancer.

The fellow will have an apprentice model of learning during the rotations with breast surgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. The rotations are structured to allow for continuity of care across the spectrum of the breast cancer treatment continuum. Multidisciplinary tumor board meetings are held weekly, and the fellow will be expected to present cases in which they participated in the management and care.

The fellow will also gain experience in community outreach through participation in our world class Life with Cancer program, by attending support groups and helping to coordinate educational programs and public events from diagnosis through survivorship.

Our multidisciplinary faculty is highly invested in fellow education. The core teaching faculty includes nine world-renowned breast surgeons who have perfected their practice in the breast surgery and oncology field.

  • The surgery department research division delivers lectures to fellows and residents that cover methodology, project design and statistics incorporated in a yearly curriculum.
  • Additionally, the staff supervises completion of required certifications such as CITI training.
  • The fellow will have dedicated time every other block to work on their chosen research project with the aim to present at annual conferences.
  • It is expected that the fellow will submit at least one project for presentation or publication that was conducted during their fellowship.

  • The first month of fellowship allows for an introduction to Inova, research department and requirements, pathology and genetics.
  • Clinical rotations include 5 months of breast surgery to comprise dedicated pathology time, one month each of medical oncology (genetics included), radiation oncology, radiology, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. Exposure on the surgery rotations will include outpatient and operative experience in both benign and malignant disease. Image-guided biopsy instruction will be included in these clinical rotations.
  • In addition, there will be exposure to Life with Cancer that encompasses community outreach and psycho oncology and provides an opportunity to attend support groups.
  • It is anticipated that the fellow will attend the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. In addition, they are encouraged to attend any meeting where their work has been selected for scientific presentation.

Contact and appplication information

  • Prospective applicants will be required to apply through the SSO National Matching Services.
  • All applicants must have successfully completed a residency in general surgery, be eligible for medical licensure in the state of Virginia and be a U.S. citizen or green card holder. We are unable to sponsor visas.
  • Please contact Kelsey Nieves Martinez, Program Manager, at kelsey.nieves@inova.org for more information.

Leadership

Shawna Willey, MD

Shawna Willey, MD

Program Director
Arielle Stafford, MD

Arielle Stafford, MD

Associate Program Director
Kelsey Martinez

Kelsey M. Martinez

Program Manager

Faculty

Our multidisciplinary faculty is highly invested in fellow education. The core teaching faculty includes five world-renowned breast surgeons who have perfected their practice in the breast surgery and oncology field.

In addition, we have multiple radiology, radiation oncology, pathology, genetics, medical oncology, and plastics/reconstruction faculty who are dedicated to creating a robust and interdisciplinary program. We also have an amazing Life with Cancer program that is dedicated to help the fellow with other important aspects of cancer treatment and care that include psycho-oncology, survivorship, physical therapy, and community outreach.
 

Costanza Cocilovo, MD
Costanza Cocilovo, MD
Specialty
Surgery
Clinical Interests
Breast Surgery, Care coordination and enrollment of clinical trials with medical and radiation oncology, High risk and survivorship, Nipple sparing mastectomy, Young breast cancer
Years of Experience
28
Michelle Abghari, MD
Michelle S. Abghari, MD
Specialty
Surgery
Clinical Interests
Breast Cancer, Breast Surgery
Years of Experience
10
Sara Bruce, MD
Sara B. Bruce, MD
Specialty
Surgery
Clinical Interests
Care coordination and enrollment of clinical trials with medical and radiation oncology, High risk and survivorship, Nipple sparing mastectomy, Nutrition and alternative therapies, Young breast cancer
Years of Experience
20
Kirsten Edmiston, MD
Kirsten K. Edmiston, MD
Specialty
Surgery
Clinical Interests
Breast Cancer, Breast Surgery
Years of Experience
36
Shkala Karzai, MD
Shkala Karzai, MD
Specialty
Surgery
Clinical Interests
Breast Cancer, Breast Surgery, Endocrine Advanced Minimally Invasive surgery
Years of Experience
10
Arielle Stafford, MD
Arielle P. Stafford, MD
Specialty
Surgery
Clinical Interests
Breast Cancer, Breast Surgery, Care coordination and enrollment of clinical trials with medical and radiation oncology, High risk and survivorship, Nipple sparing mastectomy
Years of Experience
8
Lauren Turza, MD
Lauren C. Turza, MD
Specialty
Surgery
Clinical Interests
Breast Cancer, Breast Surgery, Care coordination and enrollment of clinical trials with medical and radiation oncology, High risk and survivorship, Young breast cancer
Years of Experience
16
Shawna Willey, MD
Shawna C. Willey, MD
Specialty
Surgery
Clinical Interests
Care coordination and enrollment of clinical trials with medical and radiation oncology, High risk and survivorship, Nipple sparing mastectomy, Nutrition and alternative therapies, Young breast cancer
Years of Experience
42