Paige De Rosa, MD (Uro 5)
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.
Undergraduate (Major): Bryn Mawr College (Biology, Environmental Studies)
Hobbies/Interests: Thrifting, exploring museums
Why the University of Iowa: Excellent case diversity; supportive resident team and faculty!
Why Iowa City: Coming home by riding my bicycle over the river, sitting on my porch at nights after having a great dinner downtown, browsing in Prairie Lights bookstore and being close enough to get to Chicago for the weekend
Ilana Bergelson, MD (Uro 5)
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Undergraduate: University of Chicago (Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Running, yoga, HIIT, Chipotle, my cats George Clooney and Bradley Cooper, visiting my favorite place on earth aka Trader Joe's
Why the University of Iowa: Amazing volume, great faculty, top training, and above all else - the residents are good friends both within and outside the hospital
Why Iowa City: Low cost of living and 4 distinct seasons
Jordan Richards, MD (Uro 5)
Hometown: Fargo, N.D.
Undergraduate (Major): Creighton University (Biology & Philosophy)
Masters: Duke University (Master of Biomedical Science)
Hobbies/Interests: Live music, working out, wake surfing, Green Bay Packers football, Duke basketball
Why the University of Iowa: Resident camaraderie, expansive department with all subspecialties, resident autonomy and caseload = amazing training!
Why Iowa City: Really enjoyed the town, culture and restaurant scene when I visited and am excited to explore more in the coming years
Charles Schlaepfer, MD (Uro 5)
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
Undergraduate (Major): Washington University in St. Louis (History)
Hobbies/Interests: I love to bake and managed to make all of my own bread for three straight years. I also love to build things and used COVID quarantine to come to Iowa to build new furniture and renovate my new house.
Why the University of Iowa: Excellent balance of lifestyle benefits and caring staff with excellent surgical experience.
Why Iowa City: Iowa City is affordable but surprisingly bustling
Joanna Orzel, MD (Uro 4)
Hometown: Mount Prospect, Ill.
Undergraduate (Major): Chemistry and Spanish
Hobbies/Interests: Yoga; baking; rollerblading; eating ice cream; buying indoor plants; and being a Costco member
Why the University of Iowa: Fantastic residents and faculty; night float, high variety and number of cases
Why Iowa City: Blue skies; open spaces; the ability to drive almost anywhere within the city in less than 15 min; and ability to own a house!
R. Grant Owens, MD (Uro 4)
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pa.
Undergraduate (Major): University of Scranton (Neuroscience)
Hobbies/Interests: Musical performance/production; athletics; time with friends and family
Why the University of Iowa: Variety and quantity of cases; all urologic subspecialties represented; resident camaraderie and faculty mentorship; prioritization of mental and physical health.
Why Iowa City: Friendly community; easy commute; ability to purchase a house; low-stress lifestyle
Reid Stubbee, MD (Uro 4)
Hometown: Wheaton, Ill.
Undergraduate (Major): University of Chicago (Chemistry)
Hobbies/Interests: Skiing; golf; cooking and grilling; Chicago sports; Hawkeye football and basketball
Why the University of Iowa: Excellent surgical training in all areas of urology; supportive and collaborative environment amongst residents and between residents and attendings
Why Iowa City: Hawkeye sports; easy access to all the amenities you need within 15 minutes
Adam Kemp, MD (Uro 3)
Hometown: Williston, N.D.
Undergraduate (Major): University of North Dakota (Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Formula 1, college hockey, skiing, biking, and hiking
Why the University of Iowa: Ability to train with all urologic subspecialties. Excellent residents, faculty, and operative experience.
Why Iowa City: Friendly people, bikeable city, and a lot to do on weekends.
Elise Myers, MD (Uro 3)
Hometown: Salina, Kan.
Undergraduate (Major): Biology
Hobbies/Interests: Laughing with friends and family; cooking & dining; cleaning & organization; everything pop culture; amateur floral design; learning how to DIY my way through homeownership
Why the University of Iowa: I immediately felt welcomed during my sub-internship by both the residents and faculty. Their teaching style is forgiving and positive, there's an incredible case diversity, the facilities are interconnected and modern—all in a city that revolves around the university and hospital system. I felt really supported here in every way and knew it was the place for me.
Why Iowa City: It's reminiscent of where I went to undergrad in Lawrence, Kansas. Iowa City feels like a home away from home, except with a little more snow.
Ben Plambeck, MD (Uro 3)
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
Undergraduate (Major): University of Nebraska—Lincoln (Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my wife and 2 boys, piano and guitar, eating, working out, outdoor/lake activities, Husker sports, anything Star Wars, video games.
Why the University of Iowa: Excellent case volume and surgical training with outstanding faculty in all urologic subspecialties; incredible work-life balance (great for families); night float!; best resident camaraderie around; faculty mentorship.
Why Iowa City: Nice people; great place to raise a family; super easy commute; lots of fun stuff to do (nearby lakes, hiking/biking trails, etc.) and great restaurants to try.
Victoria Gonzalez, MD (Uro 2)
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla.
Undergraduate (Major): University of Oklahoma (Chemical Engineering)
Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, Oklahoma football, DIY crafts/projects, video games, going to Trader Joe's
Why the University of Iowa: Representation of all urologic subspecialties, supportive faculty and residents, night float
Why Iowa City: Affordable, everything is easily accessible with short commutes, lots of sports, friendly people
Andrea Rossman, MD (Uro 2)
Hometown: Mequon, Wis.
Undergraduate (Major): Duke University (Biomedical Engineering)
Hobbies/Interests: Farmers' markets, water skiing and wakeboarding, coffee and pastries
Why the University of Iowa: Research opportunities, all specialties represented, VA and private practice experiences
Why Iowa City: Very cute college town, nature close by, proximity to family, ease of living and homeownership
Brent Yelton, MD (Uro 2)
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Undergraduate (Major): Kalamazoo College (Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Trail running, hiking, kayaking, climbing, or anything outdoors
Why the University of Iowa: Faculty who specialize in every subspecialty within the field of Urology. This program also has a group of residents who care about each other.
Why Iowa City: Iowa City has incredible trails and outdoor spaces. Iowa City is a perfect size town for me. There is an abundance of things to do, but also without the traffic of a major city.
Joseph Kim, MD (Uro 1)
Hometown: West Lafayette, IN
Undergraduate (Major): Indiana University (Biology and Exercise Science)
Hobbies/Interests: Powerlifting, watching Notre Dame football, and hanging out with my two golden retrievers
Why the University of Iowa: Best people and program design
Why Iowa City: Good food and affordability
Lars Neuenschwander, MD (Uro 1)
Hometown: Pullman, WA
Undergraduate (Major): Washington State University (Bioengineering and Spanish)
Hobbies/Interests: Anything and everything outdoors: backpacking/hiking, skiing, running, sailing, scuba diving, fly fishing. Love to travel.
Why the University of Iowa: Friendly faculty, wonderful residents, well-rounded program with exposure to all urology subspecialities
Why Iowa City: Small town atmosphere, Midwest charm, and affordability/accessibility
Tutku Tazegul, MD (Uro 1)
Hometown: Bursa, Turkey, and Cedar Falls, IA
Undergraduate (Major): University of Minnesota (Biomedical Engineering)
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking/camping, gravel biking, cooking, and spending time with family and friends
Why the University of Iowa: Great group of residents, supportive and skilled faculty, night float, dedicated urology facilities and support staff
Why Iowa City: Easy commute, affordable, access to trails for running and biking, close to family and friends
Jack Vercnocke, MD (Uro 1)
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Undergraduate (Major): Michigan State University (Human Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Pickleball, hiking, water sports, hockey, watching football, and bar trivia!
Why the University of Iowa: Access to training in a variety of subspecialties and practice environments along with a program that supports its residents!
Why Iowa City: It affords the ability to own a home in close proximity to the hospital and easy access to many beautiful outdoor spaces. Also minimal traffic!