Career Path Education Series

Every summer, Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Office of Academic Affairs hosts a series of free weekly one-hour long seminars aimed at educating the community about careers in science and healthcare.  During each seminar, one or two specialists from across the Center share their stories and answer questions about their training and career path. Careers in health care, science, communications, community engagement, marketing and much, much more are represented.

The 2024 series will consist of 4 sessions starting the week of July 15th!

Please check back for speaker information and links to register! 

Monday, July 15, 2024 - Noon

Click HERE to view the recording of this session

Kara Stromberg, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES - Director of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrition Research - MORE

Title: Nutrition is More Than a Trend

Nutrition is something that everyone has an opinion about. It’s trendy! Come learn about registered dietitians – the board certified nutrition experts – who are involved in research, high-level client and patient care, and FOOD! We will discuss the role of the registered dietitian, and Kara’s career path to becoming a dietitian who is active not only in research and patient-focused care, but also a leader in state and federal nutrition advocacy. LinkedIn 

Click HERE to view the recording of this session

Eric D. Tetzlaff, MHS, PA-C - Assistant Professor; Academic Clinician - MORE

Title: There is no ‘I’ in team but there may be a PA

Eric Tetzlaff, PA-C is a Physician Assistant (PA) at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in the Department of medical oncology. Eric’s first experience working in healthcare was his first job out of college as a session assistant at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. It was there, where he was introduced to the PA profession and the field of oncology. Over the course of his career, he has focused on patient care while also finding opportunities to participate in clinical research, education and leadership of national organizations while advocating for PA profession. Eric will discuss his experience as he transitioned from an administrative healthcare pathway to a clinical role and the life of a PA in oncology.  LinkedIn

Friday, July 19, 2024 - Noon

Click HERE to view the recording of this session

Andres Correa, MD - Assistant Professor; Director of Research, Department of Urology - MORE

Title: Let Your Family Guide You: Impact of Family in Your Career Choices 

Andres Correa, MD is an associate professor of Urology and program director for the Society for Urologic Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. During his presentation, Dr. Correa will touch on:  family influence on career choices, the importance of core values on career decisions, and tips and tricks for growing your professional family. LinkedIn

Click HERE to view the recording of this session

Pedro Torres-Ayuso, PhD - Assistant Professor, Cancer and Cellular Biology - MORE

Title: My journey towards an academic cancer research career

Pedro Torres-Ayuso, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Cancer and Cellular Biology at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. In his talk, he will discuss three key components that have helped his land into my current position: curiosity, support, and MENTORS.

Monday, July 22, 2024 - Noon

Click HERE to view the recording of this session

Lilian Shin-Cho, PhD - Assistant Professor, Cancer Prevention and Control - MORE

Title: Channel Challenges into Passion 

Lilian Shin-Cho, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control program at Fox Chase Cancer Center. She conducts research on interventions aimed to increase the mental and emotional well-being of Asian American cancer patients and caregivers. During her presentation, she will share how she channeled academic and professional challenges into her career’s passions. LinkedIn

A recording of this session is available upon Request

Nkemdilim Mgbojikwe, MD, SFHM -  Associate Chief Medical Officer; Associate Professor, Department of Medicine - MORE 

Title: The Road Less Travelled 

Nkemdilim (Nkem) Mgbojikwe, MD, SFHM, is a trained Hospitalist and currently serves as the Associate Chief Medical Officer and as an Associate Professor of Medicine at Fox Chase Cancer Center. During her presentation, Dr. Mgbojikwe will discuss her career path and some pearls of wisdom that she has learned along her journey. 

Friday, July 26, 2024 - Noon

Click HERE to register for this session

Melissa McShane, MD - Assistant Professor; Associate Program Director, Hematology Oncology Fellowship Training Program - MORE

Title: Balancing the benefits of saying YES with overcommitment: navigating the complexities of a career path in academic medicine

Melissa McShane, MD, is a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer and the associate program director for the Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Fox Chase Cancer Center. During her talk, Melissa will discuss her path to medicine and specifically medical oncology, specialization in breast cancer, and her role in medical education. She will emphasize her experience with balancing the importance of saying yes to new opportunities but also knowing when overcommitment can cause more harm than good.

Wencesley Paez, MD, MS - Director, Clinical Research Operations - MORE

Title: Clinical Research as a Career: Bridging Education, Experience, and Mentorship 

Learning the craft of a clinical research professional involves a multifaceted approach, combining rigorous academic training, practical work experience, and invaluable mentorship. Educational programs provide a strong foundation in research design, biostatistics, and ethical considerations, while practical experiences in clinical settings offer real-world insights into patient care and data management. Mentorship from experienced professionals further enriches this learning journey, offering guidance, support, and industry-specific knowledge to help aspiring clinical researchers excel through the complexities of clinical trials and professional development. During his presentation, Wencesley (Wen) Paez, MD, MS, the Director of Clinical Research Operations at Fox Chase Cancer Center, will discuss how his journey has culminated to recent and current professional opportunities.