Medical Oncology: Welcome
The Division of Medical Oncology is a dynamic and rapidly evolving specialty that provides a wide range of opportunities in research, teaching, and creative professional activity. While one of the newest subspecialties within the Department of Medicine, it has quickly expanded and — with over 100 members — is now one of the larger divisions in the department.
Over 50% of the division members have university position descriptions as clinical-investigator, reflective of the central role that clinical research plays in cancer care. The clinician-QI (Quality & Innovation) is a growing university position demonstrating a strong commitment to systematically improving the way we deliver care to our patients. Our division consists of faculty with full-time and part-time academic appointments working close in partnership with our adjunct faculty caring for our medical oncology patients in the community setting. Medical Genetics, whose expertise in molecular genetics plays a critical role in the treatment of oncology patients and patients with other heritable conditions, are an integral part of our division. The number of clinician teachers in our division has grown substantially in recent years. We now have 20 clinician-teachers and clinician-educators combined, and they play a pivotal role in the education of the next generation of trainees within both oncology and non-oncology fields including primary care, surgery, and medical subspecialties.
Key features of the division are the Medical Oncology Training Program (MOTP) and the fellowship opportunities. The University of Toronto is the largest of the 13 accredited training programs in medical oncology in Canada, and under the leadership of Program Director, Dr. Raymond Jang, has been growing in popularity in recent years. There are over 50 accredited postgraduate fellows working at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. We are fortunate to have outstanding teachers and researchers in the division that are attracting the best and brightest trainees from across Canada. The education and mentorship of our trainees is supported both by our clinician-educators, clinician teachers, and our clinical-investigators. The program is dedicated to developing trainees for academic research positions as clinician-scientists and clinician-investigators and we are seeing great results as their work is recognized at international meetings. Locally, our trainees have an opportunity to hone their presentation skills by engaging in an abstract competition. The successful candidates are invited to present at our Medical Oncology Annual Research Day.
In early 2021, the Division of Medical Oncology engaged in a strategic planning refresh. The many challenges presented by the pandemic provided an opportunity to imagine the future of patient care while recommitting to teaching excellence, faculty and trainee wellness. The strategic planning process was highly inclusive and actively sought out the input and direction from the members of the Division. Together, members of our division identified the three following priorities and, in so, charted the course for the next five years.
- Promote and actively support our faculty with their careers.
- Create a clinical and academic culture that is built on faculty wellness, collaboration, and connection.
- Drive academic innovation and excellence in our education, research, and patient care.
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Questions? We want to hear from you!
- Medical Oncology Training Program: Walaa.Kheir@uhn.ca
- Fellowships: Lianne.Mulveney@uhn.ca
- Department Division Director and all other division related matters: Jennifer.Ryan@uhn.ca