About the Program

The Endourology and Laparascopy Fellowship Program in the Department of Urology offers applicants two options for the focus of their fellowship training:

Combined Fellowship in Endourology (Endourology/Stone Disease, Robotics, and Laparoscopy)
Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Urologic Oncology Fellowship

Goals and Objectives for Training

The fellowship is a one-year certificate of training program that facilitates the development of academic and clinical excellence in the participant’s chosen area of focus. It offers advanced training in the surgical and medical management of complex urologic conditions, with significant experience in laparoscopy, including use of the da Vinci robotic surgical system for oncologic and reconstructive procedures.

Our fellow assumes the role of a junior faculty member, covering ORs, clinics, and the Iowa City VA Medical Center. The primary role of the fellow is to become adept in the clinical management of complex urologic disorders.

The fellow also contributes significantly to the training of residents and to the academic endeavors of the department. Fellows are involved informally in resident education during clinic and OR and are expected to provide formal didactic lectures and be involved in surgical skills simulation labs held throughout the year.

Research also plays a critical role in this fellowship. Participation in research is an important part of providing top-level care and of fostering trainees’ development for careers in academic medicine.

Areas of Focus

Surgical experience depends on the interest of the fellow, and there are multiple opportunities available.

Endourology/Stone Disease, Robotics, and Laparoscopy Fellowship

Fellows who choose the Endourology/Stone Disease, Robotics, and Laparoscopy Fellowship are expected to perform more than 200 laparoscopic and robotic procedures (roughly 50/50 split between upper and lower tract) as well as an additional 150 endourologic procedures (PCNL and ureteroscopy). Options are also available to learn MR-targeted prostate biopsy techniques and transurethral management of BPH, including Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and robotic simple prostatectomy. Our robotic experience also offers robust training in transperitoneal and retroperitoneal kidney surgery. The fellow will also be involved in all robotic reconstructive procedures, including pyeloplasty, reimplants, and buccal graft repairs.

Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Urologic Oncology Fellowship

Fellows who choose the Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Urologic Oncology Fellowship are expected to participate in approximately 250 oncologic cases, including upper tract (nephroureterectomy and transperitoneal/retroperitoneal renal surgery), lower tract, and percutaneous/transcutaneous ablation/focal therapy. The fellow will also attend multidisciplinary conferences (tumor board, MRI conference, Endourology Journal Club) and will complete structured clinical rotations in diagnostic radiology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, and pathology.