Preceptor: Leslie Boyd, MD
Course Code: 07-02
Contact: Angela Sarkisyan, Angela.Sarkisyan@NYULangone.org

Prerequisites: Clerkship in OB/GYN

Description

There are significant racial health disparities in gynecologic oncology in the United States. Over the last 20 years, rates of endometrial cancer have increased. However, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage and high-risk endometrial cancers, and are more likely to die of their disease than White women. Cervical cancer incidence and stage is highest in low socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhoods in New York City, with patients presenting with advanced stages of disease due to a lack of screening. Ovarian cancer patients of color are less likely to present to high volume hospitals and are less likely to obtain the standard of care surgical and medical therapy.

This sub-internship elective is based out of two hospitals: Bellevue and Tisch Hospital. The elective is designed for students with a strong interest in health disparities within gynecology and a desire to serve an urban, underserved community. It will involve working closely with house staff and faculty in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. Students will participate in radical pelvic surgeries, familiarize themselves with common chemotherapy treatments of gynecologic malignancy, and attend weekly tumor board/departmental conferences. Students will also attend daily work rounds at both hospitals. Readings are assigned for independent study. An informal short scientific presentation is required at the end of the clerkship.

This year the department will offer scholarships to accommodate students completing the health disparities electives in maternal–fetal medicine and gynecologic oncology.

If interested in completing one of the two health disparities electives, please describe your relevant experience and commitment to addressing health disparities and the needs of underserved populations in obstetrics and gynecology in 200 words or less.

Objectives of the Elective

The primary goal of this objective is to expose the student to unique multidisciplinary field of gynecologic oncology. Time is spent in the inpatient and outpatient setting and the OR. Students are exposed to the gynecologic oncologists’ true comprehensive care of patients.

A gynecologic oncologist is a specialized obstetrician/gynecologist. Therefore, gynecologic oncologists have had extensive training in providing care for women with and without cancer.

Gynecologic oncologists are trained in providing comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care. Gynecologic oncologists are unique among surgical oncologists in this regard. They are skilled surgical oncologists who also are trained in administering chemotherapy. Therefore, gynecologic oncologist is able to provide an outstanding degree of continuity of care for their patients. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a gynecologic oncologist can perform a staging laparotomy to surgically remove and determine the extent of the tumor. Following the surgery, he/she can review the pathological diagnosis and determine if additional treatment is required. If chemotherapy is indicated, the same gynecologic oncologist is capable of administering treatment. This allows the patient to form a long-term, meaningful relationship with her physician.

The gynecologic oncologist is prepared to provide important supportive services such as: pain management, management of medical or surgical complications from treatment, complications of the cancer, and hospice referral. Again, this benefits the patient.

Key Responsibilities of the student while on Elective

1. The student is expected to attend scheduled lectures Friday mornings, amongst others.
2. The student is expected to attend Tisch Hospital work rounds on a daily basis
3. The student is expected to attend and to be available for planned surgery throughout the week at Tisch and Tuesday at Bellevue dependent on scheduling.

Didactic Program

The student should attend the GYN Tumor Conference on Friday morning along with the gyn oncologic specific didactics, typically 9am-1pm on Fridays. Selected reading assignments will be made.

Method of evaluation

Students' performance will be evaluated by formal and informal conferences with attending and resident staff. Students must distribute an NYU evaluation form to each of the Attendings, both clinical fellows and the Tisch GynOnc residents. Home school evaluation forms are submitted to the course preceptor.

Scheduling Information

Months offered: Aug-Nov, Jan-Feb
Report to: Students should e-mail Gyn Onc Coordinator, Deirdre Stieglitz, Deirdre.Stieglitz@NYULangone.org, at least two weeks prior to the start of the rotation for logistics.
Students per Period: 1
Duration: 4 weeks

Note: For this specific elective, visiting student applications will be processed through AAMC’s Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program. The VSLO Application Service (aka VSAS) enables students to browse and apply for this elective.