Curriculum

The academic and teaching program in urology is composed of both didactic teaching conferences sponsored by faculty as well as study sessions organized by the chief residents. A sample of the academic schedule is as follows:

Academic Schedule

Grand Rounds

Grand Rounds conference is case-based and moderated by a chief resident. Each case presentation is followed by a short review of the relevant literature. Through an interactive format, the faculty asks challenging discussion and oral board exam type questions.

Pediatric Grand Rounds is held every third Thursday of each month and is moderated by the chief resident on the pediatric urology service. Similar to its adult counterpart, pediatric grand rounds is cased based and followed by a literature review. The pediatric urology faculty queries the residents to ensure salient information is discussed.

Morbidity & Mortality Conference is held the first Thursday of each month. Joint Grand Rounds as required by the ACGME/RRC and is a mandatory monthly joint conference for all Columbia affiliates (NYPH and SLRHC).

Chapter Review

A didactic conference reviewing relevant material in standard textbooks read in advance by the residents who should be ready to answer questions prepared by the assigned attending (either written or oral board exam-type). The assigned resident will prepare either a handout or a short summary outlining the most important information.

Tumor Board

This is a multidisciplinary conference attended by urology, radiology, pathology, oncology, & radiation therapy. The residents present uro-oncologic cases and discuss workup, treatment options, pathology, and future management. Each case is followed by a relevant literature review.

Journal Club

Journal club is held every third Thursday of each month and is moderated by an assigned attending. The residents critically review five to seven relevant articles selected from peer-reviewed journals.

Uroradiology Conference

Dr. Newhouse, the uroradiologist, moderates a weekly half hour session with the residents by discussing the images of all stages of urologic diseases through various radiologic modalities.

Visiting Professor

A major annual educational event lasting a day and a half, the Department of Urology invites a visiting professor who is an expert in his/her field. Traditionally, the residents take the visiting professor out to dinner the evening prior to the program. The academic program includes lectures, case presentations by residents, uroradiology hour, clinicopathological conference, professor quizzes, and review of clinical & basic urologic research. In addition to residents, fellows and faculty, alumni, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists all of whom share in interactive discussion, attend the visiting professor conference.

Vacations

National Meetings

Residents are encouraged to submit abstracts to the AUA as well as the Urology section of the AAP ( American Academy of Pediatrics). All residents with an accepted abstract to present will be allowed to attend the AUA (or equivalent national meeting) at the expense of the department. In addition, the PGY 4 residents attend the Clinical Pathways Course at the AUA.