Harvard University Brigham and Women's Hospital (Longwood Area) Program

Survey Respondent:

Jerome P. Richie, MD, Department Chair

Survey Responses:

1. If you were an applicant, why would you choose to train in your residency program?
   
   * Diversity of urologic experience and subsequent ability to pursue any aspect of a career in urology after graduation from the program (including urologic oncology, pediatric urology, female urology, neurourology, infertility, erectile dysfunction, endourology, stone disease, laparoscopy & robotic-assisted laparoscopy, basic science research, and general urology)
   * Extremely high operative volume (consistently >90% nationally), with maximal resident involvement and independence (only 1 clinical fellow, at Children's Hospital)
   * Rotations at 5 hospitals, with focuses that include major academic (Brigham & Women's Hospital; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), pediatric (Boston Children's Hospital), veterans (Boston & West Roxbury V.A. Medical Centers), and private (Faulkner Hospital)
   * Approximately 40 attendings with a wide variety of academic and research interests
   o Specialists in urologic oncology, pediatric urology, female urology, endourology, laparoscopy/robotics, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and neurourology
   o Recent additions of 2 fellowship-trained laparoscopic/robotic adult specialists with 3 DaVinci robots among our institutions
   o Significant exposure to largest pediatric urology department in the country
   o Current attendings from our institutions in part responsible for 8 chapters in the 8th Edition of Campbell's Urology
   * Structured weekly didactic and participatory teaching sessions for all residents in addition to hospital-specific programs for those rotating at each institution
   * Access to numerous Harvard Medical School academic resources, as well as 4-month PGY-3 research rotation
   * Opportunity to experience living in Boston and working with diverse, well-rounded resident team
2. What is your program looking for in a graduating medical student?
   
   * Well-rounded background
   * Personable nature with capacity to work well and communicate effectively with other residents, attendings, and hospital staff
   * Intelligence and a critical/analytical approach to new challenges
   * Motivation and genuine enthusiasm for the field of urology
   
3. What part of an application do you consider most important in ranking applicants?
   
   All parts are important; any portion may be a strength or weakness for a given applicant.
4. What advice do you have for medical students hoping to match in Urology?
   
   * Gain exposure to programs outside of your home institution and/or region to achieve some perspective prior to applying or formulating your rank list.
   * Strengthen your C.V. by demonstrating academic aptitude and participating in activities/projects that show an active interest in urology.
   * Consider programs that provide a breadth of exposure to various aspects of urology (research interests, technology, institutional styles, attending techniques, specialties and general urology, academic and private practice interests, etc.) so that you can make an educated career choice with as many options as possible in the field.
   * Choose a program that is the best fit for you personally. Do not choose exclusively because of a name or reputation, or you may find yourself dissatisfied with your choice down the road.

Program Links:

Tags: