Interested in observing our experts in Surgery? Take a look at some of the educational opportunities available in this specialty. Please review our eligibility criteria before applying to one of the programs listed below.

The Breast Surgical Oncology Observership Program in the department of Breast Surgical Oncology is designed to provide clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals with valuable observational experiences, thereby enhancing their learning and exposure to the realm of oncology research and diverse clinical specialities. The observer experience is defined as watching and listening, devoid of any direct patient engagement or active involvement in research, clinical, or administrative endeavors. It is important to note that the availability of observer appointments is subject to the discretion of individual departments. 

Department
Breast Surgical Oncology

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical and Research/Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Trainees will have the unique opporunity to observe the clinical faculty's interactions with patients, discussions of clinical cases, and review of medical literature. In this role, observers will enhance their clinical knowledge and experience the collaborative approach to providing high quality oncology care. 

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process. 

Department Fee: $250 for a 2-week rotation, $500 for a 4-week rotation
Please note these fees are in addition to the administrative fee charged to all professional applicants.

Contact
Trupti "Tina" Flores
Program Coordinator
Breast Surgical Oncology
tjflores@mdanderson.org

The Colon and Rectal Surgery Observership Program in the department of Colon and Rectal Surgery is accepting observers interested in learning the fundamentals of colon and rectal methodology, key aspects, data collection and incorporating institutional guidelines. The observer will also learn how to present cases of attendings in an inpatient setting. 

Department
Colon and Rectal Surgery

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical and Research/Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Observers will attend the the colorectal cancer (CRC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) multidisciplinary conferences to learn and understand the surgical methodology. They will also attend clinic and operating room under faculty and their clinic teams to fully learn and understand the institutional guidelines. Lastly, they will be rounding with the attending, fellow, or other attendings within the department in an inpatient setting to learn how to present cases and fully understand each patient. 

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process. 

Application
To apply for the Colon and Rectal Surgery Observer Program, please fill out the corresponding Observer Inquiry Form.

Contact
Tina Nguyen
Operations Manager
Colon & Rectal Surgery
tnnguyen21@mdanderson.org

The Gynecologic Oncology Visitor Program in the department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine is an opportunity for faculty members from other institutions who are currently collaborating with a MD Anderson faculty member from our department to observe procedures and practices in our department. Participants may observe direct patient care in the outpatient clinic, surgical procedures in the operating room, research conducted via clinical trials or in the lab, and attend weekly departmental meetings and didactics programs.  

Department
Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical and Research/Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Specific areas of observation will depend on observer goals and mentor availability.

• May observe the clinical team to 1)understand the processes involved in screening for gynecological cancer and 2)become familiar with the procedures used for diagnosis and treatment.
• May observe surgical procedures in the operating room.
• May observe the clinical research team to learn the processes for enrolling patients in clinical trials to learn types of studies available and regulatory processes involved.
• May shadow experienced researchers in the lab to understand development and management of clinical protocols.
• May attend grand rounds, departmental meetings, or departmental didactic sessions.  

Additional Requirements
Faculty member at another institution who is currently collaborating with a MD Anderson faculty member from MD Anderson's Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine department.

The Observer Committee will select applicants and placement will be dictated by the following criteria:

• Availability of the hosting mentor
• Dates that do not conflict with major national or international meetings
• Effort to ensure that no more than two visitors/observers are rotating at the same time
  

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Contact
Tara Monson Tran
Program Coordinator 
Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine
tdmonson@mdanderson.org

The Gynecologic Oncology Student Visitor Program is an opportunity for high school and college students (who are at least 18 years of age) to shadow in the department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine. Participants may observe direct patient care in the outpatient clinic, surgical procedures in the operating room, research conducted via clinical trials or in the lab, and attend weekly didactics programs under the guidance of experts in the field.  

Department
Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical and Research/Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Specific areas of rotation will depend on trainee goals and mentor availability.

• May observe the clinical team to 1) understand the processes involved in screening for gynecological cancer and 2) become familiar with the procedures used for diagnosis and treatment.
• May observe surgical procedures in the operating room.
• May observe the clinical research team to learn the processes for enrolling patients in clinical trials to learn types of studies available and regulatory processes involved.
• May shadow experienced researchers in the lab to understand development and management of clinical protocols.
• May attend grand rounds or departmental didactic sessions.  
  

Additional Requirements
The Gynecologic Oncology Student Visitor Program Committee will select applicants and placement will be dictated by the following criteria:

• Availability of the hosting mentor
• Dates that do not conflict with major national or international meetings
• Effort to ensure that no more than two visitors/observers are rotating at the same time

Observers must be high school or college student (age 18+).

Program Dates
Visitors/observers for the summer months: May - August. Applications must be submitted by March 1st.

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Contact
Tara Monson Tran
Program Coordinator 
Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine
tdmonson@mdanderson.org

The Head and Neck Surgery Observership Program in the department of Head and Neck Surgery is accepting observers interested in building collaborative relationships between physicians and institutions. The observer experience is defined in the strictest sense; watching and listening only with no patient contact or clinical/research activity. We do not offer job shadowing experiences or career placement, nor do we accept medical trainees into the program for elective credit.

Department
Head and Neck Surgery

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical and Research/Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Observers will shadow department faculty in the operating room, clinic, and/or laboratory, and attend departmental didactic and multidisciplinary tumor board conferences.

Additional Requirements
A personal statement must be submitted in addition to the application.

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Department Fee: Applicants may be subject to additional department fees, please inquire for more information.

Contact
Jessica Houston
Senior Administrative Assistant
Head & Neck Surgery
jehouston@mdanderson.org

The Neurosurgical Oncology Observership Program in the department of Neurosurgery is accepting observers interested in various clinical facets of Neurosurgical Oncology. Reflective of the overall speciality, our department is divided into three different clinical sections – Cranial, Skull Base and Spine. Each clinical section, which has a dedicated faculty lead, is comprised of faculty with dedicated subspecialty clinical and academic interests. Additionally, each clinical section has its own roster of tumor boards held in conjunction with relevant medical oncology and radiation oncology subspecialty sections in the institution.

The department will offer 4 and 6 week observership experiences where observers can either rotate through all the subspecialty sections or spend time with an individual section based on the participant’s objectives. Within each subspecialty rotation, the participant will be assigned a schedule of days when they can observe in the operating room, in the clinic and in the subspecialty tumor boards. Additionally, the participant will also be expected to participate in departmental level didactic conferences that are held on a weekly basis. Through this experience, the intent is that the observer will develop an understanding of not only nuances of surgical technique and intraoperative technology but also an overall understanding of surgical decision making and multimodality care. 

Department
Neurosurgery

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical and Research/Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Participants in the observer program will be expected to attend the following based on the subspecialty rotation they are assigned to:

• Surgical cases
• Clinic with subspecialty faculty
• Subspecialty tumor boards
• Departmental conferences: Surgical Case Conference, Surgical Anatomy Conference, Clinical Neurosciences Seminar, Journal Club and Cadaver Dissection Sessions 

Additional Requirements

• One letter of recommendation from a current supervisor must be submitted in addition to the application.
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Professionals: Individuals (e.g. faculty, physicians, researchers, staff) who are currently employed or appointed at a healthcare or academic institution.
  • Trainees: Individuals (e.g. residents, fellows, postdocs) who are currently appointed to a research trainee position, ACGME, or other clinical accredited educational training program. 
  • Students: Individuals (e.g., undergraduate, or medical students) who are enrolled in a formal program leading to a diploma, degree, or certificate of completion. 

Program Dates
Observers will not be permitted from June 1 - July 31.

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Application
To apply for the Neurosurgical Oncology Observer Program, please fill out the corresponding Observer Inquiry Form.

Contact
Stephanie Hood
Program Coordinator, Education
Neurosurgery
sadair@mdanderson.org

The Orthopaedic Oncology Observership Program in the department of Orthopaedic Oncology is accepting observers interested in 

Department
Orthopaedic Oncology

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical

Learning Objectives
Participants in the observer program will:

• Observe interactions between the physician and patients during consultation in the Sarcoma and Orthopaedic Center
• Be able to observe intraoperative management of these complex diseases
• Be invited to attend departmental education conferences and observe patient case discussions in the weekly multidisciplinary conferences as well as Journal Club Meetings, etc. 

Program Dates
The following months are not available for observations: January, March, November, December

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Department Fee: $500
Please note these fees are in addition to the administrative fee charged to all professional applicants.

Application
To apply for the Orthopaedic Oncology Observer Program, please fill out the corresponding Observer Inquiry Form.

Contact
Maribel Martinez
Program Coordinator, Education
Orthopaedic Oncology
mdmartin@mdanderson.org

The Plastic Surgery Observership Program in the department of Plastic Surgery is designed to educate trainees and visiting physicians on all aspects of oncologic reconstructive surgery. The observer will participate in clinic shadowing, operating room observation, and attendance at various lectures (excluding faculty meetings). Of specific interest is providing trainees interested in applying to our fellowship program exposure to the fellowship experience.

Department
Plastic Surgery

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical

Learning Objectives
Participants in the observer program will:

• Attend departmental educational lectures including grand rounds, core curriculum, professional development, journal club, indications conference, and morbidity and mortality conference.
• Observe surgeries and clinical encounters focusing on care of patients with orbital and periocular cancers.
• Shadow MD Anderson faculty in the outpatient clinic setting to learn how to evaluate and work-up potential surgical patients as well as observe postsurgical aftercare.

This is an observational experience only and observers will not be allowed to scrub for surgery. Photography by the observer is not allowed. The operating room may limit the number of observers allowed in any one operating room at a time

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Application
To apply for the Plastic Surgery Observer Program, please fill out the corresponding Observer Inquiry Form.

Contact
Andrea Warren
Program Coordinator, Education
Plastic Surgery
amwarren@mdanderson.org

The Surgical Oncology Observership Program in the department of Surgical Oncology is accepting observers interested in the opportunity to shadow our medical professionals in their area of interest to help them make informed medical career decisions. This observership will be a specific exchange program in which the observer accompanies our medical staff through their daily hospital routine, sharing experiences with our physicians, fellows, physician assistants and nurse practioners.

Observers witness firsthand the work environment, occupation in practice, the value of professional training, and potential medical career options. The observership is an educational experience where observers will be appointed for longer than a day but no longer than 4 weeks.

The observation will be that is restricted to observing and listening during patient history and physical, physical examinations, procedures, surgeries, outpatient appointments, teaching rounds and educational conferences. The observer will follow the “hands in-pocket” rule and not actively engage in hands-on patient care in the clinic nor the operating room. Clinical observers will observe in clinic and surgical procedures.  Research observers will observe research  and attend research meetings. This program is not for academic credit for clinical nor research observers. 

Department
Surgical Oncology

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical and Research/Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Participants in the observer program will:

• Learn the types of services provided in a cancer institution
• Understand the basic education preparation required for medical careers
• Understand the skills needed for the medical careers
• Learn how to create a comprehensive cancer treatment plan
• Observe physicians' interaction with patients and surgical cases related to cancer
• Learn how to conduct research and develop innovative treatments and solutions to cancer
• Learn how to write and publish manuscripts

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Application
To apply for the Surgical Oncology Observer Program, please fill out the corresponding Observer Inquiry Form.

Contact
Brigitte Taylor
Program Coordinator, Education
Surgical Oncology
bmtaylor@mdanderson.org

The Thoracic Surgical Oncology Observership Program in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery is accepting observers interested in the clinical immersion of a Thoracic surgical oncology department. Involving direct contact with the attendings, resident staff, mid-level providers, on the inpatient units, outpatient units and in the operating room.  The observership also, includes direct exposure to all weekly patient related reunions, such as the multidisciplinary care conferences in lung and esophageal cancer, and also all research related conferences.

Department
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical

Learning Objectives
The objective of the rotation is to experience the function of a complex Thoracic surgical oncology department. Most importantly, the observer will review and understand the principles of management of different thoracic malignancies. 

Additional Requirements
Applicants are required to be undergoing training or have completed training in general surgery and/or thoracic surgery.

Program Dates
Applications should be submitted 3 months prior to rotation. Rotation periods are 30-days unless approved by program director.

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Department Fee: $500 for professionals, $250 for medical students
Please note these fees are in addition to the administrative fee charged to all professional applicants.

Contact
Lucy Gignac
Program Coordinator 
Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery
lgignac@mdanderson.org

The Urology Observership Program in the department of Urology is an opportunity for medical professionals, trainees and students to shadow a Urology faculty member through various aspects of their role at MD Anderson (clinical and/or research). This invitation-only program provides valuable and unique educational experiences for participants to learn more about the field of urology and what it means to be a urologist; improve their research understanding, and observe real clinical practices and surgeries. The faculty member will invite the observer to the program and work with them to tailor their experiences in attempt to meet their specific needs and fill knowledge gaps. This observership aims to improve global urological patient outcomes through the sharing of knowledge with the broader community of future and current medical professionals.

Department
Urology

Type of Observer Experience
Clinical and Research/Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Participants will observe surgery, clinical rounds, outpatient clinic, didactic sessions (prostate, testicular, renal, penile, bladder, reconstructive), multidisciplinary genitourinary case conferences and grand rounds in order to improve their surgical techniques and management of complex patient cases.

Program Fees
All professional applicants are subject to pay an Education & Training administrative fee. Please refer to the main Observer Programs page for more information about the fees and the institution’s application process.

Contact
Allison Whitty
Senior Administrative Assistant
Urology
alwhitty@mdanderson.org