Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship

Nawar Latif, MD, MPH, MSCE – Program Director

Nawar Latif, MD, MPH, MSCE
Program Director

University of Pennsylvania Health System — Department of OB/GYN
Jordan Center for Gynecologic Cancer at Penn
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
3400 Civic Center Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Please direct all fellowship application inquiries to Denise.Curley@pennmedicine.upenn.edu. 

Program description

The University of Pennsylvania Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship is a three-year ACGME-accredited training program dedicated to developing the next generation of gynecologic oncologists, physician-scientists, educators, and leaders in academic medicine.

As one of the original gynecologic oncology fellowship programs approved by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penn has a longstanding tradition of excellence in patient care, education, and scientific discovery. The fellowship combines rigorous surgical training, multidisciplinary oncology care, and protected research time within one of the nation's leading NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Mission

Our mission is to cultivate excellence in clinical care, scientific innovation, education, and leadership by training gynecologic oncologists who will advance the field through outstanding patient care and impactful research.

Research year

The fellowship includes one year of fully protected research. Each fellow completes a fully protected research year designed to foster scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and academic productivity. Fellows work alongside nationally recognized investigators within a robust research infrastructure that supports laboratory, translational, and clinical investigation. Research opportunities include:

  • Tumor immunology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Molecular genetics
  • Translational therapeutics
  • Clinical trials
  • Clinical epidemiology
  • Health services research
  • Cancer genetics
  • Bioethics and health policy

Fellows have access to:

Dedicated resources—including biostatistics, clinical research coordinators, regulatory support, grant development, and laboratory personnel—allow fellows to conduct high-impact research and develop successful academic careers. Fellows are expected to present their work at regional and national scientific meetings and are encouraged to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Clinical training years

The remaining two years are dedicated to comprehensive clinical training across the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, and Chester County Hospital. Fellows rotate through inpatient and outpatient services, participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning conferences, complete a dedicated Surgical Intensive Care Unit rotation, and gain experience in pathology sign-outs and cancer genetics clinics.

Clinical training is designed to increase throughout fellowship. Early training emphasizes supervised operative technique, perioperative management, and multidisciplinary decision-making. As fellows advance, they function with increasing autonomy, serving as surgical educators for residents, leading inpatient management, coordinating complex oncologic care, and mentoring junior trainees. This graduated responsibility prepares fellows for independent academic or community practice while fostering leadership, professionalism, and effective team-based care.

Clinical training emphasizes:

  • Minimally invasive and robotic surgery
  • Complex cytoreductive surgery including upper abdominal procedures
  • Radical pelvic surgery
  • Bowel and urinary tract surgery
  • Perioperative management
  • Systemic therapy administration and treatment planning
  • Radiation oncology principles
  • Cancer genetics and hereditary cancer syndromes
  • Palliative and supportive oncology

Didactic curriculum

Protected didactic curriculum is integrated throughout all three years and includes:

  • Weekly didactic lectures
  • Journal Clubs
  • Quality Improvement conferences
  • Oral board-style case conferences
  • Research workshops
  • Annual in-service examination
  • Advanced Surgical Cadaver Course

Teaching and professional development

Teaching is an integral component of the fellowship. Fellows actively supervise and educate obstetrics and gynecology residents and medical students in the operating room and clinical setting. Through progressive leadership responsibilities, structured mentorship, and scholarly activity, fellows develop the skills necessary for successful careers as academic gynecologic oncologists, physician-scientists, and leaders in women's cancer care.

Current fellows

  • Allan Huang, MD
  • Ann Cathcart, MD, PhD
  • Tal Cantor, MD
  • Brittany File, MD
  • Angela Liang, MD
  • Katherine Klein, MD 

Prerequisites

Must have completed an ABOG approved residency in obstetrics and gynecology and be eligible for a Pennsylvania state medical license.

Number of First Year Positions: 1 

Application requirements

  • Application Deadline: per ERAS
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Four letters of recommendation (one should be from the your department chair)
  • Completed fellowship application
  • Applications are only accepted through ERAS 

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