Urologic Oncology Fellowships
Urologic Oncology fellowships are generally either one or two years in length. One year is clinical and the other is a research year. For the rare three year program, there are two years of research. The clinical goals of these fellowships include a high level understanding of medical, radiation, pathologic, and surgical oncology, as well as surgical skills which include proper decision making and technical ability. The expectation is that you will be able to comprehensively manage highly complex oncologic patients at the conclusion of the fellowship. Additionally, the research component is often required with the goal of sparking interest in an academic career and to teach basic research skills. For many individuals, this is the launching point for a junior faculty position.
The main segregation of these fellowships is into the accredited and the non-accredited varieties. The accrediting agency is the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), which sets very specific requirements for programs to garner accreditation. These include: 2 year fellowship commitment split into 12 months each of clinical and research experience, a significant educational program, sufficient funds for fellows to attend meetings, sufficient urologic oncology faculty and patient load, and access to experts in other oncologic specialties. Currently, there are 21 SUO-accredited fellowships. An additional three programs have submitted applications to the SUO and are pending approval. There are around 14 non-accredited fellowships (programs can appear and disappear from year to year). Many of these are very good fellowship opportunities. Most are purely clinical (often 1 year in duration), though many have research opportunities available if so desired.
Why do a urologic oncology fellowship?
This fellowship should offer good surgical training both in terms of open and laparascopic/robotic skills, typically with a lot of volume. It allows clinical and surgical subspecialization which can be narrowed down as much or as little as you want. Some may go into academics and become pure "prostatologists" or even testis specialists, while others may still practice relatively broad-based urologic oncology in the community. Of course, this training would still be well-utilized as a general urologist in the community. Additionally, for those interested in an academic research-oriented career, the lab year provides a potentially important launching point.
Why not?
As with any fellowship, the commitment of 1-2 years is significant and some may feel they do not need the extra clinical and surgical training. Many programs are very rigorous--some are harder than residency. You can't ignore that many oncologic cases are very long and complex, so this needs to be considered as well. Finally, for those without any academic inclinations, realize that most urologic oncology programs have a significant academic bent.
Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) - Accredited Fellowships
(click on the red circle):
Duke University
Program Director: Judd W. Moul, MD
Professor and Chief, Division of Urologic Surgery
PO Box 3707, Room 1572C
White Zone Duke South
Durham, NC 27710
Phone: 919-684-5057
judd.moul@duke.edu
No comments from program.
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Program Director: David Y.T. Chen, MD
Department Chair: Robert G. Uzzo, MD
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497
Phone: (215) 728-2548
david.chen@fccc.edu
Comments from Program Director, David Y.T. Chen, MD: What are the strengths of your fellowship program (please provide an idea about the volume and the type of cases that are done at your institution): Our primary and secondary faculty are the clear strengths of our program. Our main faculty consists of 5 full time urologic oncologists, and we are currently considering the addition of a 6th faculty member by August 2010. Our faculty are all fellowship trained oncologists who have unmatched expertise in oncologic surgery, whether performed in traditional open fashion or via standard laparoscopic or robotic-assisted approaches. We offer an experience working with faculty who can address a surgical problem in whatever means is best suited for the situation, who are equally adept with minimally invasive or open surgical techniques. Significant emphasis is placed on organ/functional preservation and reconstruction, and on minimally invasive treatments to reduce the morbidity of our interventions. In 2008-2009, the center evaluated over 1400 new urologic cancer patients, performing over 600 major cancer cases. The institution annually performs greater than 250 renal surgeries (with nearly 90% either minimally invasive or nephron-sparing or both), greater than 250 robotic prostatectomies, roughly 50 cystectomies, and 15-20 RPLNDs. Our secondary faculty are nationally recognized experts in GU medical oncology and radiation oncology. Rotations with these specialists allow for an equally important experience in the non-operative treatments for urologic malignancy. Biweekly multidisciplinary conferences allow for regular discussion and provides a forum for reviewing the known (and unknown) in the management of GU malignancy, which today demands a thorough understanding of both the surgical and non-surgical roles of treatment. What do you look for in applicants who apply? Our program seeks applicants with a clear interest in developing and establishing a career as a urologic oncology expert. We aim to select individuals who will continue after their experience from our program to move on to faculty positions at other institutions, who during their fellowship will have built the foundation for a long-term academic focus, and who ultimately will advance the field of GU cancer care. We expect the candidate to have completed a US general urology residency program and have demonstrated academic effort and productivity. Applications to our program are reviewed on a continuing basis, with candidate selection made via the SUO match process. What research opportunities are available? The research year of the training program can be spent pursuing various different types of academic projects. The department maintains an R-01 funded laboratory, and multiple other cancer related, basic science and translational research opportunities exist throughout the center. The department has prospectively maintained bladder, kidney and prostate cancer clinical databases and is regularly active in both industry and cooperative group sponsored clinical trials. The choices of research focus can be readily tailored to match the fellow’s long-term interests. What career paths have your program's alumni chosen in the past 5 years? Our program received SUO recognition in 2008 and will graduate our first fellow in 2010, and he has already secured a position following fellowship graduation at a university hospital as their primary academic urologic oncologist.
Mayo Clinic
Program Director: Bradley C. Leibovich, MD
Associate Professor of Urology
Mayo Clinic
200 First Street, SW
Rochester, MN 55905-2981
507-284-3981
leibovich.bradley@mayo.edu
No comments from program.
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Program Director: Ashish M. Kamat, MD
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 1373
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-792-3250
akamat@mdanderson.org
No comments from program.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Program Director: Joel Sheinfeld, MD
1275 York Ave.
New York, NY 10021
Phone: 212-639-2593
sheinfej@mskcc.org
No comments from program.
National Cancer Institute
Program Director: W. Marston Linehan, MD
National Cancer Institute
Bldg. 10, Room 2B47
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-496-6353
linehanm@mail.nih.gov
No comments from program.
UCLA Medical Center
Program Director: Arie Belldegrun, MD
UCLA School of Medicine
66-118 CHS 173818
10833 Le Conte Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Phone: (310) 206-1434 or (310) 825-5056
abelldegrun@mednet.ucla.edu
No comments from program.
University of California - San Francisco
Program Director: Maxwell V. Meng, MD
1600 Divisadero Street Room A631
San Francisco, CA 94143
Phone: 415-885-3660
mmeng@urology.ucsf.edu
No comments from program.
University of Chicago Medical Center
Program Director: Gary D. Steinberg, MD
5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 6038
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-702-3080
Fax: 773-702-1001
gsteinbe@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu
Comments from Program Director, Gary D. Steinberg, M.D. Our Program is a 2-year SUO-accredited fellowship. What are the strengths of your fellowship program (please provide an idea about the volume and the type of cases that are done at your institution): The major strength of our program is the broad-based, comprehensive training provided. A full spectrum of major open, laparoscopic, and robotic cases are performed on a regular basis. Specifically, over 500 robotic prostatectomies and over 100 radical cystectomies are performed annually. In addition, we have a large volume of laparoscopic and open renal surgery. Greater than 150 laparoscopic and 50 open renal surgeries are performed annually. Fellows are trained by 5 to 6 faculty with expertise in urologic oncology and minimally invasive surgery. What do you look for in applicants who apply? Applicants who have demonstrated an interest in urologic oncology during their residency are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to train the future leaders in urologic oncology, and, therefore, we encourage our fellows to pursue a career in academic urology. Clinical and basic-science research are both performed during the fellowship, so an interest in these areas is recommended. As such, previous research experience is looked upon favorably. What research opportunities are available? Clinical research is available through various channels. Comprehensive databases for prostate, renal, and bladder cancer are maintained, allowing for outcomes research projects. In addition, Institutional-Review-Board (IRB) approved clinical studies are ongoing. Fellows are encouraged to write and direct an IRB-approved study. The fellows also work in the urologic oncology basic science laboratories. Projects are ongoing for bladder and prostate cancer. The Division of Urology also actively participates in large animal research studies and the fellows have the opportunity to collaborate on these projects. The research in the animal laboratory focuses on renal physiology and different technical aspects of laparoscopic renal surgery. What career paths have your program's alumni chosen in the past 5 years? The first SUO fellow began training in 2007 and will graduate in 2009. He plans to pursue a career in academic urologic oncology.
University of Indiana
Program Director: Michael Koch, MD
University Urologists P.C., Inc.
Indiana Cancer Pavilion/Dept. of Urology
535 N. Barnhill, Suite 420
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317-274-7338
miokoch@iupui.edu
No comments from program.
University of Miami
Program Director: Mark S. Soloway, MD
PO Box 016960
Miami, FL 33101
Phone: (305) 243-6596
msoloway@maimi.edu
No comments from program.
University of Michigan
Program Director: Cheryl Lee MD
Professor of Urology
1500 East Medical Center Dirve
3875 Taubman
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 763-9269
ctlee@med.umich.edu
Comments from Program Director, Cheryl T. Lee, MD: The Urologic Oncology Fellowship at the University of Michigan is accredited by the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO). The fellowship is designed to train individuals for independent academic careers in Urologic Oncology, including advanced minimally invasive techniques. One year of clinical training will be complemented by either 1 year of laboratory or 1-2 years of clinical research, totaling 2-3 years of training, tailored to suit the individual needs of the applicant. Successful completion of the fellowship will result in certification by the SUO.
For more information about our program, please visit us at:
University of Texas Health Science Center
Program Director: Ian M. Thompson, MD
UTSHCSA-Division of Urology
7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 7845
San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
Phone: 210-567-5644
thompsoni@uthscsa.edu
No comments from program.
University of Toronto
Program Director: Laurence Klotz, MD
Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Dr., Suite #A140
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5
Phone: 416-480-4673
Laurence.klotz@sunnybrook.ca
No comments from program.
University of Washington Medical Center
Program Director: William J. Ellis, MD
Box 356510, BB-1115
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-3918
wjellis@u.washington.edu
No comments from program.
University of Western Ontario
Program Director: Joseph Chin, MD
800 Commissioners Road East
Suite C3-120C
London, Ontario N6A 4G5
Canada
Phone: 519-685-8451
jchin@lhsc.on.ca
No comments from program.
Vanderbilt University
Program Director: Michael S. Cookson, MD
A-1302 Medical Center North
21st and Garland Streets
Nashville, TN 37232-2765
Phone: (615) 343-5604
michael.cookson@vanderbilt.edu
No comments from program.
Program Director: Wade Sexton, MD
12092 Magnolia Drive
Suite 4035
Tampa, FL 33612
Phone: 813-745-8535 (Mary Ostien, Fellowship Coordinator)
Fax: 813-745-5996
wade.sexton@moffitt.org
mary.ostien@moffitt.org
No comments from program.
North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System
Program Director: Manish Vira, MD
450 Lakeville Road, Suite M41
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Phone (516) 734-8500
Fax (516) 734-8537
mvira@nshs.edu
No comments from program.
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Program Director: Norm D. Smith MD
Tarry 16-703
303 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago IL 60611
Phone (312) 695-6125
Fax (312) 908 -7275
n-smith3@northwestern.edu
No comments from program.
Program Director: James L. Mohler, MD
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263
Phone: 716-845-3389
Fax: 716-845-3300
james.mohler@roswellpark.org
Comments from Program Director, James L. Mohler, MD. The Department of Urologic Oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute is accepting applications for three different fellowships: One (1) year clinical fellowship. Two (2) year fellowship that includes a one (1) year clinical fellowship in minimally invasive urologic oncology and one (1) year fellowship in translational science. Three (3) year academic fellowship that includes a one (1) year clinical fellowship in minimally invasive urologic oncology and two (2) year fellowship in translational science. Surgical training will focus upon: robotic radical prostatectomy and cystectomy and laparoscopic nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, adrenalectomy and nephroureterectomy. The Department performed 94% of its urologic oncology cases using minimally invasive procedures and has a virtual reality training laboratory and education program. Research training can be one or two years duration. An NIH T32 grant supports two years of full-time laboratory cancer research in one of 5 areas of scientific study: 1) molecular & cellular biology, 2) immunology, 3) genetics, 4) pharmacology & experimental therapeutics, or 5) cancer prevention & epidemiology. An institutional grant supports one year of full time research in translational research, clinical trials, or outcomes research. Trainees attend a multidisciplinary course in Oncology, biostatistics and ethics. Applicants should be US Citizens, enrolled in, or have completed, a Urology residency in an accredited program and be eligible for licensure in the state of New York. Minority and female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Please send a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to: James L. Mohler, MD, Department of Urologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, e-mail: James.Mohler@RoswellPark.org
University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center
Program Director: Shandra S. Wilson, MD
4200 East Ninth Avenue, Box C-319
Room 4515
Denver, CO 80262
Phone: 303-315-8972
Fax: 303-315-7611
shandra.wilson@UCHSC.edu
No comments from program.
University of Kansas Medical Center
Program Director: Jeffrey M. Holzbeierlein, MD
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Mail Stop 3016
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: 913-588-7571
Fax: 913-588-0603
jholzbeierlein@kumc.edu
No comments from program.
Program Director: Christopher Robert Porter, MD
1100 9th Avenue
C7-URO
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-341-0560
Fax: 206-223-7650
urocrp@vmmc.org
No comments from program.
Non-Accredited UO Fellowships
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
No comments from program.
No comments from program.
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Flordia
Contact Information:
Nic Muruve MD, Program director.
Email: muruven@ccf.org
Ph; 954-659-5188
Fax: 954-659-5189
Comments from Program Director, Nic Muruve, MD.
What are the strengths of your fellowship program? Fellowship includes exposure to all aspects of uro-oncologic surgery including robotics, laparoscopy and open surgery. The fellowship will emphasize a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment, clinical research and management of the urologic cancer patient. Volume of cases at our institution is quite comprehensive and includes robotic surgery (prostate, kidney, bladder and some none cancer cases e.g. pyeloplasty). Laparoscopic (Adrenal, nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy) and open cases (complex partial nephrectomy, cystectomy, retroperitoneal tumors). Fellows are exposed to all aspects of oncology and get a good general exposure to urologic cancer care so as to be able to handle any oncologic problem that is presented to them.
What do you look for in applicants who apply? We look for applicants that seek to learn how to best manage urologic tumors. Urologic oncology often requires a multidisciplinary approach and those individuals who are team players, innovative, and caring towards their patients. In order to be accepted into the Cleveland Clinic fellowship, applicants must have completed an ACGME accredited urology residency and be able to work fulltime in the US as a legal resident.
What research opportunities are available? All fellows complete a clinical research project during their year.
What career paths have your program's alumni chosen in the past 5 years? Our fellows have moved on to both private and academic positions.
Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
No comments from program.
No comments from program.
Spectrum Health Cancer Program, MI
Comments from Program Director, Brian Lane, MD, PhD. Spectrum Health is accepting applications for a one-year research fellowship position in Urologic Oncology. This fellowship is designed to train an individual for a career in Urologic Oncology and will be tailored to meet the specific interests of each fellow.
Spectrum Health has the highest cancer volumes in West Michigan, providing multidisciplinary care of patients with kidney, prostate, bladder, testicular and adrenal cancer. This one-year research fellowship will include participation in research with Dr. Lane and other research mentors. We are currently involved in ongoing clinical, translational, and outcomes-based research in kidney, prostate, and advanced GU cancers. The fellow will also participate in urologic oncology tumor boards, multidisciplinary clinics, and collaborations with partners from Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and the Van Andel Research Institute. The fellow will also participate in the Center for Personalized Cancer Care, which offers targeted therapeutics to patients according to their specific genomic alterations.
Please direct all inquiries to:
Brian Lane, MD, PhD
Chief of Urology, Spectrum Health Medical Group
Betz Family Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, Spectrum Health Cancer Program
For more information, visit http://www.spectrumhealth.org/urologic-cancer#
St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City (institution has applied for SUO accreditation)
No comments from program.
No comments from program.
University of Illinois at Chicago
No comments from program.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
No comments from program.
No comments from program.
University of Southern California
No comments from program.
University of Virginia Health System
No comments from program.
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Comments
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland OH
The urologic oncology fellowship is a 3-year program. Fellows will be engaged in 2 years of basic science or outcomes research with a faculty mentor. We have an active clinical, translational, and outcomes-based research programs for prostate, kidney and bladder cancer. Fellows will also participate in a weekly GU oncology didactic lecture series covering all the major topics in genitourinary oncology as well as a monthy GU oncology case conference and twice monthly GU oncology tumor board. The clinical year is divided between the urologic oncology and minimally-invasive urology services. The Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute is among the highest volume centers nationwide for kidney, prostate, bladder and testicular cancer. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and 2 letters of recommendation (1 preferably from the residency program director) to Andrew J. Stephenson, M.D., 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk Q10, Cleveland, OH, 44195. Inquires may be sent to Dr. Stephenson at stephea2@ccf.org.