Fellowship Opportunities with the Breast International Group

1
Fellowship Opportunities with the Breast
International Group

• Philippe Bedard, MD
• BIG/TRANSBIG Fellow 2008-09
• philippe.bedard_at_bordet.be
• Jules Bordet Institute
• Brussels, Belgium

2
Overview

• Why do a fellowship?
• How do I find the right fellowship?
• What can I expect to learn?
• How do I apply?
• What happens after my fellowship is done?

3
Weighing the balance
Burnout Debts Comfort zone Family
commitments Local opportunities
New skills Chance to publish Networking Increase
marketability Launch academic career
4
Finding the right fellowship

• What are the important areas of up and coming
  research?
• Speak to colleagues prior fellows at your
  institution
• Attend meetings, browse virtual meetings online
• Visit oncology websites/download podcasts
• www.clinicalcareoptions.com
• www.breastcancerupdate.com
• Take stock of your attributes/skills
• Think about what you want to do in 5-30 yrs

5
Mentorship is key
a dynamic reciprocal relationship environment
between an advanced career incumbent (mentor) and
a beginner (protégé), aimed at promoting the
development of both -- Keyser et al Acad Med
2008

• Qualities of a good mentor
• Expert
• Interested
• Committed
• Selfless (when appropriate)
• Finding the right mentor
• Speak to colleagues
• Look at past record of mentorship
• Contact prior fellows

6
Applying for a fellowship

• Polish your curriculum vitae
• Write a statement of motivation
• Look for funding sources
• National societies, ESMO, ASCO YIA/CDA, Susan G.
  Komen, etc
• START the process early (gt1 year)

7
How to be a good fellow

• Define what kind of support you need early on
• Recognize that one person may not be able to meet
  all of your mentoring needs
• Accept criticism and learn from your mistakes
• Be enthusiastic, be patient, and be flexible!
• Work hard read, read, read, write, write,
  write!

8
What Ive learned with BIG

• Knowledge of evidenced-based breast cancer care
• How a clinician can be involved in translational
  research
• How to write a research proposal
• How to present research findings write
  scientific manuscripts
• How to critically appraise research grants
  published reports
• How to design clinical trials with novel
  therapies integrate translational research
• How to negotiate with industrial sponsors

9
What else Ive gained from my experience

• Exposure to international meetings
• Networking opportunities with scientific leaders
• A new perspective on how to care for cancer
  patients
• Ability to work in a foreign language
• A new circle of lifelong friends and future
  collaborators!

10
What do I do after my fellowship?

• Think about what skills youve acquired
• Evaluate what youve learned about yourself
• Keep your curriculum vitae up to date
• Speak to your mentor
• Stay in touch with prior contacts
• Consider all available opportunities
• Start planning in advance!

11
(No Transcript)
12
Acknowledgements
BIG/TRANSBIG Team
Mentors Pr. Martine Piccart Dr. Fatima
Cardoso Pr. Ian Tannock
Colleagues Evandro de Azambuja Christine
Desmedt Benjamin Haibe-Kains Michail
Ignatiadis Sherene Loi Otto Metzger Camilo
Moulin
Jose Rossari Rodrigo Rovere Sandeep
Singhal Natasa Snoj Christos Sotiriou Gianluca
Tomasello Tushar Vora