Surgical Oncology Research Training at Indiana (SORTI)

SUMMARY Surgeon-scientists are an underrepresented population in academic medicine, and federally funded physician- scientist-led research has been in decline over the past decade. Substantial challenges are faced by surgical trainees seeking research training. Importantly, surgical resident training programs with ample protected time for

dedicated experiential research training have effectively contributed to the “pipeline” of successful, independently funded surgeon-scientists. These researchers have meaningfully impacted surgical oncology patient care and scientific knowledge. The proposed Surgical Oncology Research Training at Indiana (SORTI) program brings

together the extensive multidisciplinary oncologic expertise at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) and the Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center to create a multidisciplinary, two-year research training program consisting of (1) a Health Services and Outcomes Research (HSOR) Track and (2) a Basic Science and

Translational (BTS) Research Track. The SORTI program will draw upon the Department of Surgery’s 30-year experience of training in BTS oncology research and the 15-year surgical oncology HSOR resident training collaboration between the Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), the Regenstrief

Institute, and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Cancer Programs. Since 2011, SOQIC has trained 44 surgical research trainees who have gone on to oncology-focused academic careers. During a two-year, intensive training period (100% protected time), trainees in the SORTI program will be immersed in

multidisciplinary, experiential research training, using a team science approach, with tailored mentorship and focused didactic teaching (Master’s degree for those without prior advanced degrees). Each trainee will have an experienced and diverse Mentor Team (content and methodological experts), tailored to their training needs.

The SORTI program core curriculum will include courses in study design and analytic approaches, best practices and ethics in research, communicating research, and career development. Trainees will participate in the workshops, seminars, and research training opportunities at Indiana University and at relevant surgical and

oncologic professional societies. Trainees will design and execute research projects that culminate in presentations at major national conferences and publications in high-impact journals. Continuous monitoring and iterative program improvement will be achieved by engagement of a highly accomplished External Advisory

Committee and robust evaluation by Indiana University’s Center for Evaluation, Policy, and Research. The ultimate goal of the SORTI program is to increase the number of investigators who successfully achieve academic careers as independently funded surgical oncologic scientists. Indiana University School of Medicine

is uniquely positioned to assure the success of the SORTI program and continuing to develop future surgical oncology scientist leaders and mentors.