Our Goal: To train future academic leaders in Gynaecologic Oncology.
Our Fellowship Training Program has clearly had global impact on the field of Gynaecologic Oncology,
through training of fellows who now practice in a number of countries (see map above). As a result
of these fellows’ academic appointments, their contributions to both research and education continue
to enrich the specialty of Gynaecologic Oncology, and thereby contribute to high quality care for women
with gynaecologic malignancies around the world.
History of the University of Toronto Gynaecologic Oncology Fellowship Training Program
Prior to the existence of formal subspecialty training in Gynaecologic Oncology in Toronto,
a one-year “fellowship” in radical pelvic surgery was offered by Drs. P. Vernon,
J. Bean, G. Lickrish, and R. Osborne, based at the Toronto General Hospital during the
1970s. Trainees included Anthony Silverstone (London, England), Ian Hammond
(Perth, Australia), and Peter Lenehan (Cork, Ireland).
Upon the return of Dr. A. D. DePetrillo from his Gynaecologic Oncology fellowship
training in California in 1973, a two-year fellowship was instituted in Hamilton at
McMaster University. The first fellows of this new program included Michael Taylor
(Sacramento, California), Bob Lotocki (Winnipeg, Manitoba), and Joan Murphy (then
from Vancouver, British Columbia, now in Toronto, Ontario).
The move of Dr. DePetrillo from Hamilton to Toronto in 1984 resulted in the
creation of the Division of Gynaecologic Oncology at the University of Toronto,
and subsequently, a formal two year training program in Gynaecologic Oncology was
offered. The initial trainees within this two-year program, Michelle Prefontaine
(Springfield, Massachusetts) and Barry Rosen (Toronto, Ontario), had completed
their first year of training in Hamilton, but completed their fellowship in Toronto
within the newly created program.
The first fellow to begin the formal training program in Toronto was Peter Mason
(London, England). Between 1985 and 2001, the Toronto program remained combined
with McMaster University in Hamilton, where fellows spent 6 months of their two-year
fellowship in Gynaecologic Oncology. In 2001, the 6 month rotation in Hamilton was
made a selective rotation for fellows, solely due to difficulties experienced by
some fellows associated with commuting between Hamilton and Toronto. Fellows often
still elect to spend some of their training period in Hamilton, as the result of
the excellent academic opportunity afforded them there.
In 1989, the subspecialty of Gynaecologic Oncology was formally recognized by the Royal
College of Surgeons of Canada, and the Toronto Gynaecologic Oncology Fellowship Program
became one of five recognized training programs across the country at that time.
Over the years, the program has had several program directors including Drs. A.D. DePetrillo,
J. Murphy, and R. Osborne, each of whom have contributed uniquely to its development.
Currently, the fellowship training program is directed jointly by Drs. A. Covens (TSRCC)
and S. Laframboise (PMH).
In 2002, as a result of the desire to contribute to the academic development of our
subspecialty, a third-year was formally added to the Toronto program, offering fellows
a year of protected time for academic enrichment in a field of their choice. The first
fellow in this formal three year program was Jason Dodge (Toronto, Canada). To date,
fellows have obtained academic experience within several fields including education,
epidemiology/health outcomes research, and basic sciences, some pursuing formal
Master’s degrees within these fields.
To date, the program has trained 48 fellows, who now reside in many countries around
the world. The program has achieved recognition by the Australian College of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in
the U.K. The Toronto program remains the largest of the seven currently Royal College
accredited Gynaecologic Oncology fellowship training programs in Canada.
top of page