The Northwestern McGaw Center for Medical Education Fellowship in Genitourinary Reconstruction and Prosthetics
General Program Description
The Northwestern McGaw Center for Graduate Medical Education Fellowship in Genitourinary Reconstruction and Prosthetics is a 1 year, mentored, graduated experience focusing on reconstructive urologic surgery, including pre-operative evaluation, intra-operative familiarity with surgical reconstructive techniques, and postoperative management. The existence of this fellowship is to augment and support Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Department of Urology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and to advance the field of urologic reconstruction.
Qualified fellowship candidates must complete a 5- or 6- year urology residency training program, and be in preparation for candidacy to the American Board of Urology.
Objectives
The Genitourinary Reconstruction and Prosthetics Fellowship will enable the resident to acquire an advanced body of knowledge and level of skill in the core urologic reconstructive procedures, such as:
- Management of complex urethral stricture disease utilizing anastomotic and substitution urethroplasty;
- Management of male stress urinary incontinence and proficiency in artificial urinary sphincter implantation;
- Management of rectal-urethral fistula and urethro-cutaneous fistula disease; and
- Management of upper urinary tract stricture reconstruction.
The fellow will also be involved in related clinical research activities during the training period. He or she will be expected to participate in research to expand the understanding and treatment of patients requiring reconstruction of the genitourinary system. He or she will work closely with the faculty in the Department of Urology to design and implement his or her research projects, with the expectation those projects will culminate in presentations at national meetings and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
The GU Reconstruction and Prosthetics fellow will train at two sites: Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Jesse Brown Veteran’s Administration Healthcare system. The fellow will spend one and one half (1.5) days per week at the VA Hospital, and three and one half (3.5) days per week at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. One half day (.5) per week will be allocated for clinical research in each of these locations.
Organization and Faculty
Under the direction of Chris M. Gonzalez, MD, MBA, the Northwestern University Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship (NU GRSF) program provides specialized urologic care to patients in need of reconstructive urologic surgery. We have the pleasure of serving a diverse group of patients referred to us locally as well as nationwide. We have also developed the first genitourinary reconstructive fellowship in the Chicago area and also within the VA health care system in order to serve the nation’s Veterans with similar problems.
The recent development of the Northwestern University Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) has greatly facilitated the ability to track patient outcomes following reconstructive surgery. This data has allowed the NU GRSF to optimize patient care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Veterans Administration Jesse Brown Division. Furthermore the data derived from our extensive surgical experience has been used to publish numerous manuscripts within the field of genitourinary reconstruction. The following link lists the numerous publications generated from the NU GRSF over the past ten years.
Relationship to the Urology Residency
The fellow will not be responsible for the supervision of urology residents. The integrity of the urology residency will be maintained during its respective rotations by scheduling fellows and chief residents to cover different attendings. At present many cases are done by attending staff due to lack of appropriate resident coverage; thus participation of the fellow in selected cases will not impact the operative experience of the urology residents.
Evaluation
Fellows will be evaluated by participating faculty for each of the rotations in the program. In addition, an overall evaluation will be done by faculty to assess whether the fellow has met the goals for the curriculum and skills acquisition. The program director and faculty committee will meet with the fellow at 3, 6 and 11 months to provide performance feedback.
Successful completion of the program will be contingent upon meeting curricular and skill requirements as judged by the evaluation. In addition, the trainee must complete at least one scholarly project suitable for publication, make one national presentation, and show evidence of teaching medical students and residents.
Administrative Structure
The fellowship will be part of the Northwestern McGaw Medical Center Graduate Medical Education Program. All policies of the Northwestern McGaw Medical Center Graduate Medical Education Program will apply to the fellowship.
Application and Selection Process
To apply for the Genitourinary Reconstruction and Prosthetics Fellowship, please provide the following materials:
- Application (pdf)
- Curriculum Vitae
- A copy of USMLE transcripts. USMLE Step 1, 2, and 3 examinations must be successfully completed prior to the beginning of fellowship training
- At least three (3) letters of recommendation; these letters must be sent directly to Dr. Gonzalez by your references. One of these letters should be from your urology residency program director
Appropriate candidates will be interviewed by Dr. Gonzalez and other participating faculty. Applicants will be selected by the faculty committee based on past record of achievement, recommendations, and interview process, without regard to gender or race.
Please send the required materials to the following address:
Chris M. Gonzalez, MD, MBA
c/o Kelly Ross
303 E. Chicago Ave., Tarry 16-703
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 503-3238
k-ross@northwestern.edu
