The SGO Leadership, Engagement, and Action in Diversity Program | Margaret Liotta, DO & Travis T. Sims, MD, MPH

Margaret Liotta, DO

We are excited to announce that the application for SGO’s LEAD (Leadership, Engagement, and Action in Diversity) Program is now open. This is a formalized pipeline program intended to build greater diversity within the gynecologic oncology community and is specifically directed to trainees from groups historically underrepresented in medicine.

The SGO State of the Society survey published in 2020 indicated only 4% of the gynecologic oncology physician workforce (21 individuals out of 557 survey respondents) identified as Black or African American, 4.49% (25 individuals) identified as Hispanic, and even fewer identified as American Indian/Native American.

This data demonstrates that our society has a long way to go in meeting our own strategic mission and vision to diversify the workforce of gynecologic oncologists. Early exposure to our subspecialty through the electives listed below will spark interest in the field, preparing students for competitive training programs, successful residency and fellowship matches, and fulfilling careers caring for patients with gynecologic cancers.

Travis T. Sims, MD, MPH

The LEAD pipeline program, created by the SGO Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity Committee, is designed as a year-long mentoring program ending with an in-person capstone event at the 2024 SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. This program is fully dedicated to formalizing, improving, and strengthening the pipeline of URiM trainees in preparation for a successful match to gynecologic oncology fellowship with the express goal of diversifying our field. The LEAD pipeline program will provide URiM trainees with sponsorship, mentoring, resources, and a network to support their development as a future gynecologic oncologist. Those accepted will be matched with not only a mentor, but with other trainees who share their interests.

The application for mentees will be accepted June 8 – July 27, 2023. If you are interested in learning more, please contact DIHE@sgo.org.

If you are interested in being a LEAD program mentor, please email Enishia Valentine-Davis. Chosen mentors will be responsible for enriching and supporting the pipeline and will be matched with trainees who will learn much from your experience.

Mentor Commitments:

• Invest in the success of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students, residents, and post residency applicants who are planning to apply in gynecologic oncology
• Attend monthly mentoring sessions from September 2023 – February 2024 with the following goals:
  • Personal development and growth
  • Application preparation/guidance
  • Research mentorship (example review an IRB protocol, workshop an idea, connect young researchers with resources)
  • Personal statement development
• Attend a day-long mentorship session at the 2024 SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer, Friday, March 15, 2024 in San Diego, CA
• It is not necessary to personally be part of an URiM group.

Thank you for your interest in the SGO LEAD Program!

Margaret Liotta, DO, is an Associate Professor at Loyola University Medical Center. She also serves as the Division Director of Gynecologic Oncology. She is very involved in teaching medical students and residents and is dedicated to cultivating diversity at all levels in this field.

Travis T. Sims, MD, MPH, is assistant professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. As a gynecologic oncologist Dr. Sims is committed to providing exemplary evidence-based patient care, advancing his specialty through research/clinical investigation, and educating the next generation of surgeons/oncologists.