Residency Program: PTAPM Cancer Prevention and Control Track

One resident per year is selected to be the recipient of the American Cancer Society’s Physician Training Award in Preventive Medicine (PTAPM). This award program is intended to encourage and assist the development of promising individuals who will pursue careers in preventive medicine, and is designed to create a cadre of physicians trained in preventive medicine and with the potential to become leaders in research, education, and intervention in the area. Under the guidance of faculty preceptors residents will: become competent in research and teaching methods; understand the fundamental issues of cancer prevention and control; gain practical research experience; and gain proficiency in clinical skills relating to cancer risk assessment, screening procedures, behavior and lifestyle modification and other approaches to providing primary and secondary cancer preventive care found effective in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services and in American Cancer Society publications. In addition, the program encourages residents to: develop and submit applications for independent funding; present research findings at regional or national research meetings; and publish in peer reviewed journals.

an image is hereCandidates nominated for support via the PTAPM must state their commitment to a career in preventive medicine with an emphasis on cancer prevention and control. During the two-year period of the award, residents must complete the residency requirements in preventive medicine. It is expected that all awardees will take and pass the boards in preventive medicine. In the academic phase of the award, residents pursue a Master’s degree in public health or the equivalent, including course work in cancer prevention and control. In the practicum phase, residents must participate in field training that will develop clinical and research skills in cancer prevention and control.

During the term of the award, each resident must initiate, and, if possible, complete a research project in cancer prevention and control. All awardees are expected to become involved as American Cancer Society Division or Unit volunteers.

The following eligibility requirements must be met:

  • Nominated residents must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or its possessions and territories, or must have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence at the time of application. Permanent residents must submit, along with the application, notarized evidence indicating that the candidate is in possession of an Alien Registration Receipt Card or has been approved for the issuance of such card as evidenced by an official passport stamp of the United States Immigration Service and that the form number of the card is I-551.
  • The candidate must have an MD, DO, or equivalent degree.
  • The candidate must have completed the clinical year of a residency program in preventive medicine, or have at least one year of postgraduate clinical training.
  • The candidate must be accepted by or applying to the sponsoring residency program.
  • It is preferred that the candidates not have completed more than half of the required academic work at the beginning of the award period.

If a residency candidate wishes to be considered for the PTAPM, he or she should indicate as much in any initial contact with the Residency Program Director (Dorothy S. Lane, MD, MPH – dlane@notes.cc.sunysb.edu ), Residency Program Coordinator (Lisa.Reagan@stonybrook.edu), or in any mailed application correspondence.