SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (June 24, 2026) – HonorHealth and Arizona Center for Cancer Care are proud to announce the launch of Arizona’s first Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program. HonorHealth’s Breast Surgery Fellowship Program received accreditation from the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Society of Breast Surgeons to establish this new and in-demand program, which will be operated in close partnership with the Comprehensive Breast Center of Arizona (CBCA).
As the sponsoring institution for the fellowship, HonorHealth currently supports 21 residency and fellowship programs and serves as the primary clinical affiliate for the ASU John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering.
This achievement marks the culmination of a multi-year effort. HonorHealth Cancer Care is one of 68 accredited programs across the United States and Canada offering this specialized fellowship. Notably, it will be the first and only program of its kind in Arizona, expanding access to advanced surgical oncology training in the region.
The launch of this fellowship comes at a critical time for the healthcare workforce. A 2024 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges projects a significant physician shortage nationwide, estimating a deficit of 13,500 to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Of those, 10,000 to 19,900—up to 74% of the total shortfall—are expected to be surgeons, underscoring the urgent need for expanded surgical training programs, including specialty surgical care.
The HonorHealth Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program is designed to help address this shortage by training highly specialized surgeons in comprehensive breast cancer care. Fellows will receive multidisciplinary training in breast surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, breast imaging, genetics, survivorship, and psychosocial care.
“This fellowship represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing need for specialized breast surgeons,” said S. Brenda Moorthy, DO, FACS, oncoplastic breast surgeon at CBCA and program director of the Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program. “By providing advanced, multidisciplinary training, we are equipping future surgeons with the expertise needed to improve outcomes for patients with breast cancer.”
Dr. Moorthy added, “We are proud to bring this level of advanced training to Arizona for the first time. Working within state-of-the art Honor Health Cancer Care treatment centers, our program is uniquely positioned to provide fellows with comprehensive clinical exposure and the skills necessary to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across the full continuum of breast oncology.”
The approval of the fellowship program builds upon a longstanding partnership between Arizona Center for Cancer Care and HonorHealth. In 2017, the organizations joined forces to establish the HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network, creating an integrated model designed to expand access to high-quality cancer care across Arizona. Through this collaboration, patients have gained access to leading experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology and hematology, while HonorHealth continues to expand its outpatient cancer services throughout the region, creating one of the most comprehensive cancer care networks in Arizona.
Through its collaboration with HonorHealth, HonorHealth Foundation and the ASU Medical School, CBCA aims to create a robust educational environment that supports innovation, research, and excellence in patient care.
The first fellows will begin training in 2028 following the national match process. For more information, contact BSFellowship@honorhealth.com.