Hearst Foundations award $200,000 to advance surgical oncology training at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

Major gift will expand the nation's only fellowship program of its kind, preparing next generation of cancer care providers

1/6/2026

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center has received a $200,000 gift from the Hearst Foundations to expand its Advanced Practice Surgical Oncology Fellowship program – the only program of its kind in the United States.

"Our connection with Banner Health stretches over more than a decade," said Hearst Foundations Executive Director Paul "Dino" Dinovitz. “The Hearst Foundations identify and fund leading institutions across the country to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. We are pleased to support the Advanced Practice Surgical Oncology Fellowship program because it provides a powerful way to elevate cancer care in the state.”

A growing challenge

Cancer affects one in three Americans and ranks among the leading causes of death. The American Cancer Society forecasts nearly 2 million new cancer cases and 610,000 cancer deaths in the United States this year alone.

While advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and precision medicine have improved survival rates, they've also created new challenges. As cancer rates rise and treatment options grow more complex, demand for highly skilled, multidisciplinary cancer care teams has intensified. Yet a significant gap remains in specialized training opportunities for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) – essential members of oncology care teams.

Comprehensive training for complex care

The rigorous 13-month postgraduate program prepares Advanced Practice Providers to deliver specialized, high-quality surgical oncology care. Fellows participate in the care of at least 250 patients, assist in a minimum of 175 surgeries, and complete more than 2,000 hours of mentored clinical training across diverse settings.

The Hearst Foundations' support will enable Banner MD Anderson to expand the program's capacity, training more fellows to meet growing national demand.

"This is an invaluable gift to our organization – and to the future of cancer care in Arizona," says Matthew Callister, MD, Banner MD Anderson's senior physician executive. "As cancer diagnoses increase, so does our need for expertly trained surgical oncology APPs who can deliver advanced care within collaborative, team-based environments."

For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/services/cancer.