Winship Preceptorship for Breast/Lung Oncologists from Latin America

The Winship Preceptorship for Breast/Lung Oncologists from Latin America program seeks to provide educational exposure for early- to mid-career practicing oncologists from Latin America.

Hosted at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, observers will learn the optimal genomically-driven management of patients with lung cancer and breast cancer.

Winship thoracic and breast medical oncology experts will serve as preceptors to the observers as they evaluate and take care of cancer patients in various clinical settings. Through these and other interactions, the visiting observers will be able to adapt lessons learned to improve their local practice back home.

Program Description

The preceptorship is specifically designed for early- to mid-career oncologists from Latin America. Observers are expected to be in independent oncology practice and within six years of final oncology training with an established position to return to immediately following program participation. Both academic and general community oncology practitioners are eligible for this program.

Winship breast oncologist Dr. Keerthi Gogineni is one of the physicians whom observers will shadow as she performs patient evaluations and care.

The preceptorship is a deep immersion program over a two week period.

Observers will:

  • function in an observational role while shadowing physicians as they perform patient evaluations and direct treatment;
  • directly observe all aspects of medical oncology care for patients with lung and breast cancer without having any direct clinical responsibilities;
  • attend specialized tumor boards for lung cancer and breast cancer where complex cases are discussed;
  • attend various presentations at research meetings and educational seminars including weekly research working group meetings.

The program involves a mixture of didactic lectures along with hands-on observership in a variety of clinical settings. The didactic component will consist of daily lectures that focus on genomically-driven management of breast cancer and lung cancer. These didactics will take place over the course of a two week block during which observers will also rotate through lung cancer and breast oncology clinics.

Observers will arrive the day prior to the start of the program. Here's a sample schedule:

  • Friday: Arrivals
  • 1st Saturday: Program introduction and orientation.
  • 1st Sunday: Free time
  • Week 1: Monday-Friday: Clinical exposures (breast/lung) and didactics. Participants in Session 1 will attend the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology meeting on Friday, August 25.
  • 2nd Saturday:  Participants in Session 1 will attend the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology meeting on Saturday, August 26 and participants in Session 2 will attend the Atlanta Lung Cancer Symposium on Saturday, October 28.
  • 2nd Sunday: Free time
  • Week 2: Monday-Friday: Clinical exposures (breast/lung) and didactics; program participant interviews
  • 3rd Saturday: Departures

The preceptorship is a deep immersion program over a two week period. This year's sessions are scheduled as follows:

  • Session one: August 18-September 2, 2023 (arrival on Friday August 18; departure on Saturday, September 2)

    • Application Deadline: May 30, 2023

  • Session two: October 20-November 4, 2023 (arrival on Friday, October 20; departure on Saturday, November 4)

    • Application Deadline: Extended to August 4, 2023

Key Objectives

This preceptorship program is designed as a formal continuing education program that will lead to behavior and performance changes in the observers and ultimately result in system changes at home that improve overall health of the society. By participating in this program, observers are expected to:

  • become familiar with the latest systemic treatment modalities (targeted therapies, immunotherapy and experimental cell therapy approaches) currently employed in the standard treatment of patients with advanced cancer, in particular, lung and breast cancer;
  • gain exposure to advanced pathological diagnosis of cancer, including immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics;
  • gain appreciation for a team-based approach to optimal cancer care through attendance in multidisciplinary clinics and tumor boards;
  • become familiar with clinical research as a key tool to advance cancer care by attending research team meetings, Winship grand rounds, invited lectures and working group meetings.

Accommodations and Travel

Accommodation expenses and round-trip travel to the United States including visa application fees will be covered by the program. Health insurance and a stipend to cover a reasonable cost of living including meals will be provided to trainees for the duration of the program. All observers will be housed at the Emory Conference Center Hotel. No charges will be imposed for participating in the program.

COVID-19 Guidelines

At Winship, we are aligned with the COVID-19 guidelines set by Emory Healthcare and Emory University in our commitment to providing the safest environment to care for our patients and to protect our staff, providers, and community.

Application Process

Complete the application form (button link below) and submit via email to Barbara Powley, program coordinator, at bpowley@emory.edu.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for all sessions.

  • Session 1: August 18-September 2, 2023; Application Deadline May 30, 2023
  • Session 2 : October 20-November 4, 2023; Application Deadline extended to August 4, 2023

Credentialing Process

All observers need to also apply for credentialing providing proof of immunizations, appropriate visa documents and other requested documentation before obtaining final approval. Please complete this alongside Preceptorship application and email the completed copy to the program coordinator, Barbara Powley via email at bpowley@emory.edu.

Photo of  Keerthi Gogineni, MD, MSHP
Keerthi Gogineni, MD, MSHP

Keerthi Gogineni, MD, MSHP

Associate Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology
Emory University School of Medicine

Dr. Gogineni is committed to caring for patients with breast cancer and conducting research that evaluates and improves access to oncology care for disenfranchised patients.

Photo of  Ticiana Leal, MD
Ticiana Leal, MD

Ticiana Leal, MD

Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology Program, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology
Emory University School of Medicine

Dr. Leal specializes in the care of patients with lung cancer, mesothelioma and thymic malignancies.

Photo of  Rebecca Pentz, PhD
Rebecca Pentz, PhD

Rebecca Pentz, PhD

Professor of Hematology and Oncology in Research Ethics
Emory University School of Medicine

Dr. Pentz works directly with innovative oncology researchers to develop and design cutting edge ethical research.

Cascade Link  TOP