International Visiting Scholar & Mentorship Program

 

Mentee Eligibility Criteria

  1. The mentee must be:
    a. a specialist who completed training in gynecologic oncology less than five years prior and is currently in active practice, or
    b. a current trainee in an established gynecological oncology program
  2. Applicants must be a current IGCS Member, at least in their 2nd consecutive year of IGCS membership
  3. The applicant should not have previously received a travelling scholarship from IGCS. This excludes travel support to attend IGCS scientific meetings such as the Shingo Fujii Young Doctors Summit Grant.
  4. The applicant must identify a mentor and host institution. IGCS is not able to assign mentors or locate host institutions.

Mentor Eligibility Criteria

The mentor must:

  1. Be affiliated with an established gynecological oncology unit with record of accomplishment of training in gynecological oncology
  2. Be a qualified gynecologic oncologist in the host institution/region
  3. Be a current IGCS member, at least in their 3rd consecutive year of membership
  4. Show evidence of capability to meet the goals of the mentee by writing a letter to the IGCS in support of the mentee's application. This may include, but not restricted to:
    a. Evidence of providing the service(s) that the mentee is seeking experience in
    b. Relevant case load of the relevant surgical skills
    c. A plan for intended weekly program of activities for the visiting scholar
  5. State willingness to support the applicants with the registration and visa requirements of the host institution
  6. It is anticipated that the hosting institution may be able to provide information and support in identifying safe and affordable accommodation to the visiting scholars

Application Requirements

Applicants must complete all application requirements by February 15, 2019. The application form will be posted here on January 15, 2019.

  1. Completion of an application form which will include
    1. Statement of two-three clearly identified, yet broad goals (see examples)
    2. Information on the current practice of gynecological oncology in the unit that may include, but not limited to:
      a. Current structure of the department
      b. Number of cases of gynecological cancer treated in the unit
      c. Any information to the current level of surgical skills and equipment in the department that is relevant to the proposed goals in the application
    3. A clear and objective description of the benefits of the proposed travelling mentorship to the region
    4. A tentative plan for implementation of the benefits to the region
  2. Current CV of the applicant (mentee)
  3. Current CV of the proposed mentor
  4. A letter from the proposed mentor at the hosting institution indicating that the mentor can meet the goals stated by the mentee and is committed to providing ongoing mentorship in achieving those goals
  5. An emailed letter from the head of the department of head of the institution (of the mentee) confirming commitment to provision of health care to women diagnosed with gynecological cancer in support of the applicant's request.

Selection and Award Details

Completed applications will be reviewed by members of the IGCS Mentorship & Training Committee and IGCS Council. Awardees will be notified early in the month of April. The awardee is responsible for booking accommodations, travel and making Visa arrangements. Funding will be awarded up to $10,000 based on anticipated travel expenses for a three month stay at the host institution.

Assessment of Successful Mentorship and Future Plans

IGCS will follow-up with the involved parties with periodic assessment surveys. The participants will submit a summary of discussion between the mentee and the mentor including objective details of participation in the relevant activities, including departmental/institutional teaching activities.

The mentee will provide a written report to the IGCS after the observership has been completed to detail the benefits of their mentorship experience, communicate the perceived gain in knowledge and experience, and outline a plan for implementation of that knowledge in their region.

The mentor will provide a written report detailing the strengths of the mentee and domains that may require ongoing mentorship. The participants will agree on a brief follow-up plan for future mentoring activities between the two parties and a tentative schedule for those activities.

 

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