Mission:
The mission of the Division of Surgical Oncology/Endocrinology is: 1) to undertake the highest quality of surgical management, research and education in oncology and general surgery, and 2) to provide leadership at Fletcher Allen Health Care, the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the Vermont Cancer Center in the area of academic surgical oncology.

Clinical Service:The primary objective of the clinical program of the Division of Surgical Oncology/ Endocrinology is diagnosis and management of individuals with lumps, tumors or cancers, or being evaluated for them, with an emphasis upon surgical care as part of multi-disciplinary patient care. The clinical surgical oncology program is structured around several organ sites with an overriding emphasis on the evaluation and care of complex and unusual patient care problems affecting the breast, skin, soft tissue, gastrointestinal or endocrine systems.

Education:
The faculty and staff of the Division of Surgical Oncology participate in teaching programs of Fletcher Allen Health Care and the University of Vermont College of Medicine. It is the faculty's responsibility as teachers to pass on their skills and knowledge to the next generation of physicians and surgeons. On any given day, there may be medical students, surgical residents or primary care residents in the clinic assisting in patient care. These are highly selected individuals sworn to confidentiality and the ethics of medicine. The medical students are in training to become physicians. The residents are skilled physicians that have often completed many years of training on their way to becoming fully credentialed specialists. They are all members of the health care team and, under the faculty surgeon supervision, regularly contribute to patient care and management.

In addition, the faculty and staff of the Division of Surgical Oncology are regularly involved in teaching at local and national conferences and meetings targeting both continuing medical and professional education, and community and public education regarding cancer and cancer care.

Research:
The primary objective of the research program of the Division of Surgical Oncology is laboratory, pre-clinical and clinical research in cancer that impacts upon the surgical care of cancer patients, especially the patients under the care of the personnel of the Division of Surgical Oncology. The research is of the highest scientific and ethical caliber covering the spectrum from fundamental and translational investigations to pilot studies and to Phase I, II, and III clinical trials. All Division of Surgical Oncology faculty participate in the research activities and all research projects move towards and achieve peer-reviewed funding. Also, the Division of Surgical Oncology supports local and cooperative group trials and other oncologic research efforts of the other clinical oncology disciplines, other surgical divisions with oncologic interests, and the Vermont Cancer Center.

Please visit our academic site for specific research projects.

Faculty:
The faculty of the Division of Surgical Oncology/Endocrinology is made up of General Surgeons with training, commitment and expertise directed to support and lead the clinical and academic surgical oncology programs of the Division of Surgical Oncology. The Division of Surgical Oncology/ Endocrinology faculty emphasize the provision of services, support and facilities that enhance the overall clinical care of individuals and populations with cancer or at increased risk for the development of cancer.

If you would like to make an appointment, please call (802) 847-2262.

Seth Harlow, M.D.
Chief, Division of General Surgery: Oncology/Endocrinology