Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program Progress Report

In 2017, the IGCS Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program as an initiative to address gaps in global health specific to the treatment of women’s reproductive cancers and preinvasive disease. The Program is a comprehensive two-year education and training program designed for regions around the world that do not currently have formal training in gynecologic oncology.

In the past four years, so much has been done to increase surgical capacity and access to quality cancer care in areas that need it. Download the 2021 progress report for a full picture of the reach of the program and meet some of our dedicated volunteers and trainees. In the report you will see depth and impact the program has had over the last 4 years.

Through this Program, some of these sites have now produced the first-ever clinicians trained in gynecologic oncology in their entire country. Others who have completed the program will relocate to neighboring regions or countries to adapt the curriculum. They are now equipped with a level of gynecologic oncology knowledge from which they can build programs and mentor others; this is happening in Rwanda with recent graduates from the Ethiopia program.  

We are proud of the team in Zambia who recently institutionalized the IGCS Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program, officially making subspecialty training in gynecologic oncology a part of their 5-year obstetrics and gynecologic MMED program.  As we know mentoring is a lifelong commitment and that it no different with our program. It is vital that IGCS continue to foster and mentor these new graduates as begin their careers. They are invited to join the IGCS early career network, join committees and participate in IGCS activities.

We gratefully acknowledge the dedicated IGCS volunteer leadership team for making this possible, including our international mentors, local supervisors, Project ECHO® virtual tumor board faculty contributors, fellows and staff.

Ms. Susan Ralph orchestrates the day-to-day activities of the program as the IGCS Mentorship and Training Program Manager. If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities, donating or wish to learn more, please contact Susan at susan.ralph@igcs.org.