Combined Urologic Oncology & Minimally Invasive Urology Fellowship

Fellowship Program Structure

This program is intended to train individuals who have completed urology residency for independent academic careers in Urologic Oncology, including advanced minimally invasive techniques. Clinical training for approximately 18 months will be complemented by approximately 18 preceding months of laboratory or clinical research (3 years total). Because the research portion of the fellowship is NIH-funded, only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible. At the completion of the fellowship we would intend to provide the opportunity for certification by both the Society of Urologic Oncology and the Society of Endourology, depending on the particular interests of the candidate.

Description of Core Clinical Program

Clinical activities comprise approximately 18 months of the fellowship, depending upon which research option is elected (see below). Clinical work is divided into three segments: upper tract, prostate, and bladder. Equal time is spent on each rotation, in 2 month blocks. Full participation of the residents in operative cases be maintained. We apply graded responsibility for the cases in which the fellow participates. The fellow is given staff privileges. Over the course of the clinical training, the fellow will evaluate, manage and perform oncologic and minimally invasive procedures with gradually increasing independence.

Description of Core Research Program

There are broad opportunities for collaboration within the department, the U-M Medical School and the greater University of Michigan. There are three M.D. faculty members with primary focus on outcomes research, and there is one Ph.D. faculty member with primary focus on Biostatistics and Epidemiology. We have a close collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering. There are two options for the research portion of the fellowship, with enrollment in one of our NIH-funded training grants.

M.P.H. Degree
 During the first year of fellowship, the fellow takes classes in the School of Public Health towards a master's degree in Public Health, with emphasis on clinical outcome research. Additional independent clinical research performed during the subsequent two years of clinical surgical experience completes the requirements for an M.P.H. degree. This option prepares the fellow for a career in academic urology with expertise in clinical outcomes research.

Basic Science
 On a more traditional academic fellowship program there are 18 months of basic science research in one of the many laboratories of the Department of Urology and associated faculty. This would be followed by 18 months of clinical surgical experience. This option prepares the fellow for a career in academic urology as a clinician-scientist.

Additional information about both options is available upon request (see below)

Conferences

Fellows participate in conferences and seminars conducted within the University of Michigan Health System. These are designed to enhance the fellow’s expertise in clinical urology, research ethics and basic science research. They include weekly conferences in Urologic Oncology, Pediatric Uroradiology, Uropathology, Urology Grand Rounds and Urology Research Literature Review. Fellows are expected to attend a series of six presentations under a University of Michigan program entitled "Research Responsibility Curriculum."

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:
· Be committed to an academic research career in urology
· Provide evidence of excellence in academic and other endeavors
· Have completed an accredited urology residency program
· Be a United States citizen or a permanent resident

Application Process

All applicants are required to submit an application package which includes their curriculum vitae, a one-page cover letter stating their career goals, three letters of support and the completed application (PDF version / MSWord version). Applicants that receive a favorable review will be invited for an interview at which time official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts should be submitted. Requests for more information and a mailed application should be directed to:

J. Stuart Wolf, Jr., M.D.
Dept. of Urology
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
Taubman Center 3875
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0330
Phone 734-764-8397
Fax 734-936-9127
E-mail: wolfs@med.umich.edu

The University of Michigan is a non-discriminatory Affirmative Action Employer and strongly encourages minorities and females to apply.

David Bloom, M.D.   Department Chairman
David P. Wood, M.D.  Director, Urologic Oncology
J. Stuart Wolf, Jr., M.D.   Director, Minimally-Invasive Urology