Description of Training

The goal of this fellowship is to establish the basis for future thought in the care and robotic treatment of Genito-Urinary cancers. Duke's high-volume surgical practice offers exposure to and proficiency in the treatment of the following conditions using multiple robotic platforms (multiport, SP…) and approaches (intra-, extra-, retro-peritoneal…):

-from basic to advanced robotic urethral, ureteral, bladder/bladder neck reconstruction -the diagnosis and management of cancer arising from the genitourinary tract -the medical and surgical treatment of marked BPH -focal therapy techniques for image-targeted cancer treatment of prostate and kidney cancer -the creation of continent and non-continent urinary diversions

This fellowship provides a heavy emphasis on clinical experience exposing the fellow to routine and complex urologic cancer conditions. This exposure includes education in the multidisciplinary approach including radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and medical oncology. Fellows will participate in multi-disciplinary tumor boards and clinics, which will provide exposure to the disciplines and thought processes of treatment of even the most complex cases. This experience is rounded out by the opportunity to rotate with dedicated uro-oncologists and radiation oncologists during the one-year fellowship. Surgical training during the clinical year will focus very heavily on exposure to advanced robotic surgical procedures. Emphasis is made on the treatment of prostate, kidney, bladder cancers, which are the most common in our field.  There also will be a component of training related to the robotic reconstruction of the ureter and bladder. The Fellowship is structured to encompass a combination of clinical/surgical (80%) and research (20%) training over a one-year period. Research opportunities are numerous and include image-guided ablative cancer therapies, advancements in prostate and kidney cancer treatment and AI in education and robotic surgery.  Upon successful graduation of the fellowship the fellow receives a certificate from Endourology Society and from Duke University. Our goal is to provide trainees with opportunities to develop the clinical, surgical, and research skills needed to be a leaders in their fields.

Fellows will primarily work with Drs. Polascik, Morgan, and Gahan to gain a broad experience in the minimally invasive treatment of urologic cancer as well as some benign disease with enhanced exposure to upper and lower tract ureteral reconstruction. The fellow will have the opportunity to learn focal therapy techniques for image-targeted cancer treatment in a safe and effective gland-preserving manner.  There is a wide array of research opportunities in these arenas as well.  The Fellow is also an important part of the Endourologic training program for our residents including assisting in teaching and contributing to journal clubs and resident teaching conferences. The Fellow will be employed as a junior faculty member and will be responsible for 2-4 weeks of faculty call per year.

Note: If a combined two-year MIS Onc and stone pathway is desired, we will happily accept applicants to a two-year track as well. 

Laboratory Facilities and Research Supervision

Full research facilities are available at Duke. We have NIH funding to cover the cost of performing studies which focus on prostate cancer imaging, focal therapy of prostate cancer, prostate cancer outcomes, kidney cancer outcomes, and minimally invasive surgery.  More, the Duke University Medical Center Vivarium with full veterinary and technical support is located immediately adjacent to the Medical Center.

Research is focused on clinical outcomes and human and animal-based research related to the care of the urologic cancer patient.  The research training will provide the Fellow with a valuable educational experience that will result in peer reviewed publications. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to work with one of several individuals engaged in either the basic science or translational research. Research training will include instruction in evidence-based medicine, clinical trial design, biostatistics and grant writing. Per Society requirements, our Fellows must submit and/or publish at least one first-author article in the subject matter of oncology to the Journal of Endourology.

Surgical Volume

Robotic nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy- 30-40/year Robotic partial nephrectomy/nephrolithotomy- 30-40/ year Robotic cystectomy/other-15-20/year Robotic radical prostatectomy- 90-110/year Robotic simple prostatectomy- 60-80/year Ureteral reconstruction (pyeloplasty, reimplant, buccal ureteroplasty, ileal ureter,  U-U…)- 30-50/year

Application Process: All applicants should submit a letter of intent, current curriculum vitae, and letters of recommendation as outlined on the Endourology Fellowship website. Applicants selected for a formal interview will be contacted. Interviews will be held either by online meeting or during the American Urological Association Annual Meeting.

Please note that due to current restrictions in North Carolina, we are not able to accept International Medical Graduates who are not US citizens or permanent residents.