Description of Program:
We offer one-, or two-year fellowships in either the Endourology and Stone Disease program or the Combined program. The fellowship training is focused on advanced minimally invasive urology as well as the medical and surgical management of urinary stone disease. Many aspects about the fellowship can be tailored to the individual’s career goals.
Clinical Experience:
The University of Kentucky (UK) Urology Department is a tertiary referral center with a large mix of complex cancer and stone patients.
Our faculty perform a variety of advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, including: MIS total and partial nephrectomy, retroperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy, robotic pyeloplasty, MIS adrenalectomy, robotic radical prostatectomy, robotic simple prostatectomy, robotic sacrocolpopexy. UK currently has several dual console DaVinci Xi robotic machines as well as a single port robot.
We perform a high volume of stone surgical procedures including PCNL, ureteroscopy, shockwave lithotripsy, and MIS stone procedures. The faculty obtain the percutaneous access for almost all cases using a variety of techniques including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and endoscopic assisted techniques. In addition, we work very closely with our nephrology colleagues in the multi-disciplinary care of stone patients and have monthly joint conferences with nephrology.
We additionally perform a variety of surgical procedures for BPH including: HOLEP, robotic simple prostatectomy, Rezum, PVP, and TURP.
Core Faculty:
Fellows will primarily train with the Endourology and Urologic Oncology faculty members including Drs. John Roger Bell, Donald P Bell, Jason Bylund, Patrick Hensley, Rebekah Keller, Frances Martin, and Stephen Strup.
Fellowship Goals:
The specific goals for the fellow will depend on training program the fellow chooses (Stone/Endourology vs Combined). Fellows are also expected to enter with the skills and knowledge of a junior faculty member as they will be considered a Clinical Instructor. The fellow will supervise residents in the operating room, in clinic, and while serving as the attending on call. Annual salary and benefits are consistent with a clinical instructor. The fellow should be prepared to be involved with resident and medical student education. Our fellowship experience provides an excellent way to transition from the role of trainee to independent practice in whatever setting the fellow may choose. There will be no primary call for the fellow. The fellow will take attending-level call in a shared pool with other faculty members.
Training Resources:
Fellows will have 24/7 access to our simulation center which includes laparoscopic and DaVinci robotic training simulators.
Research:
Research requirements as laid out by the Endourological Society will be required for all fellows. The fellow is welcome to join with faculty members on their research projects or initiate projects of their own design and choosing. The fellow will be expected to present this research at academic meetings. Access to local and national databases are provided as is access to statistical analysis, a medical illustrator, video editing assistance, and poster/document printing.
Application Process and Requirements:
Applicants must be US citizens or green card holders. In addition, they must complete an accredited urology residency in the U.S. This fellowship participates in the Endourological Society fellowship match program and will typically perform interviews at the AUA Annual Meeting. Unfortunately, due to the mechanism of payment, we are unable to accept any applicants who will be coming on any form of visa.
Previous Alumni:
Jenne Myers (Garrett) – 2006 – Private Practice – Tuscon, AZ
Eric Gerber – 2007 – Private Practice – San Diego, CA
Chad LaGrange – 2008 – Chair, Department of Urology, University of Nebraska
Jay Page – 2010 – Private Practice – Sandy, UT
Jeremy Johnson – 2015 – Private Practice – Lafayette, IN
Jason Bylund – 2012 – Vice Chair, Department of Urology, University of Kentucky
Amul Bhalodi – 2017 – Private Practice – Lexington, KY
Andrew Harris – 2019 – Associate Chief of Staff Operative Care, VAMC Lexington
Nicholas Freidberg – 2022 – Private Practice – Austin, TX
Miguel Rodriguez-Homs – 2024 – Private Practice – Portland, OR
