Research and Education Newsletter v35- Internal - Flipbook - Page 9
Division of Radiation Oncology Annual Research and Education Newsletter: Fiscal Year 2020
Laying the Foundation for the
Next Generation of Radiation
Oncologists
Image taken pre COVID-19 pandemic (07/11/2006)
EDUCATION
Our core value of discovery is marked in the richness and successes
of the educational programs we offer. From institutional leaders to
our Division Head of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Albert Koong, a focus
on education is vital to continuing our mission to end cancer.
Director of Medical Student Education in Radiation Oncology,
Jillian Gunther, M.D., Ph.D., has her own reasons for educating
the next generation. Like all physicians, she was once a medical
student and discovered her passion for radiation oncology through
educational opportunities. “I love working with medical students
because they are sincerely excited to learn about our field,” says
Dr. Gunther. “It’s a good reminder of why I love what I do and why I
decided to pursue radiation oncology in the first place.”
The Radiation Oncology Medical Student Elective Rotation is one of
the educational programs that Gunther leads. Students interested
in the field of radiation oncology are encouraged to apply for an
opportunity to have firsthand exposure to the remarkable work of
our physicians and better understand the role radiation therapy
plays in the treatment of cancer. “I value the opportunity to help
reframe the design and execution of these programs. “We’ve tried
to recreate many of the components of our typical elective in the
virtual environment,” Gunther explains. “We’ve established several
didactic sessions that are held virtually for students to view and
now have a weekly virtual lecture series that still provide faculty
the ability to teach the important aspects of radiation oncology,”
she says. Numerous virtual events have enabled students to
interact with our residents, faculty, and residency program staff.
Another exciting new offering that Gunther champions is the
Radiation Oncology Medical Student Summer Research Program.
This research fellowship is for those who have completed
their first year of medical school and are considering a path in
the field of radiation oncology, with a focus on students from
underrepresented minority groups. The curriculum will include
introductory lectures on science and medicine, a faculty mentor,
participation in a research project, and observation of clinical
activities. “We are very excited about this program and look
forward to mentoring our first students in 2021,” Gunther says.
“I love working with medical students because they are sincerely excited to learn about our field.”
guide students along their path to residency and aid them in
achieving their goals,” says Gunther. Participating in this elective
rotation will give students the chance to learn the basic principles
of radiation physics, radiobiology, and radiation safety; to interact
with patients from consultation to treatment; and to improve
interpersonal communication skills and professionalism. This is an
important offering as some of these students are likely to be future
residents learning alongside our faculty and staff.
Despite the challenges of the novel coronavirus, this academic
opportunity and others still remain as the results of efforts to
Gunther has a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to share when it
comes to a career in medicine. “For those interested in radiation
oncology, I advise that students first focus on gaining skills to
become an excellent physician and oncologist, then a radiation
oncologist,” Gunther says. “There are important lessons to learn
in every experience a student encounters, whether it be in the
classroom or in the clinic. These opportunities help shape future
oncologists at the number one cancer hospital in the nation,” she
says. “These young students have so much potential to change our
field for the better. This is the overarching goal – continuance of
new discoveries in cancer care to ultimately serve our patients.”
9