Faculty member receives inaugural teaching award in gynecologic oncology
Awards, Faculty, Fellows
Brenna Swift, an assistant professor in the ob-gyn department, is chosen by fellows in the gyn-onc program
(photo supplied)
Brenna Swift
By
Matthew Tierney
Brenna Swift has won the Excellence in Fellowship Teaching in Gynecologic Oncology. This is the first year of this award, presented by the Division of Gynecologic Oncology to an exemplary teacher of fellows, whether in the clinical/surgical realm, in research, or in both.
The recipient is chosen by graduating fellows at the end of their three-year fellowship in U of T’s gynecologic-oncology program.
“The enthusiasm that Dr. Swift brings to her teaching is evident to all who have seen her in action,” says Lilian Gien of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, also a professor and Division Head of Gynecologic Oncology in the ob-gyn department. “She forges a strong professional relationship with all her trainees, whether guiding them through a surgical technique, advising them on clinical management, or offering mental and emotional support. She continues to raise the teaching standards within our division. Congratulations, Brenna, on this well-deserved award!"
Swift says...
Teaching is very meaningful to me. I learn something every day from the fellows I work with, especially during our video-based surgical coaching sessions, when we discuss different approaches or techniques for performing a skill, or we problem-solve together to more efficiently complete a part of the surgical procedure.
I find sharing my thought process out loud in the OR, especially in challenging or complex cases, encourages fellows to actively participate in this problem-solving and deepens learning by revealing the reasoning behind surgical and clinical decisions.
Winning this award suggests to me that the fellows value video-based surgical coaching, which is really exciting. It’s a novel aspect of our fellowship curriculum that encourages self-directed learning and self-reflection, and will be useful for our fellows as they transition to staff gynecologic oncologists and continue learning throughout their surgical career."
