The MedStar Health—Georgetown University Hospital Residency Program in Urology
Our five-year, ACGME-accredited urology residency program continues its longstanding tradition of training and educating residents in all aspects of urology, providing a breadth of clinical experience, mentorship from interested faculty, and exposure to a variety of healthcare systems.
Our goals are to teach quality and compassionate clinical care, provide exposure to clinical research, and to stimulate an interest in the lifelong learning required of all of us. We are able to do this through stable, interested, and well-trained faculty. The relationship between faculty and residents has been and continues to be one of our strengths.
Global health
The Georgetown Urology department supports international health endeavors, and each resident has the opportunity to spend one week working in an international location where urologic services are severely lacking. Residents are encouraged to apply to IVUMed as well as other global health programs relevant to their individual interest.
Curriculum
Since July 2019, our urology residency has been a 5-year categorical program. During the PGY-1 year, urology interns will spend six months on the urology service. The remaining six months are spent developing important skills on general surgery services such as colorectal surgery, surgical ICU, and trauma.
Over the course of five years, residents will:
- Learn the clinical management of urologic patients and to perform all level-appropriate urologic procedures.
- Obtain exposure to urologic subspecialty areas early in residency. The urology resident rotations include exposure to all urologic subspecialties including pediatrics, reconstruction, infertility, stone disease, and oncology.
- Achieve a better understanding of radiology modalities and interventional radiology procedures.
- Establish comfort with advanced surgical technique in complex open and robotic surgeries. By the end of the fifth year, the chief is expected to be capable of running a busy urology service and to be confident in the wide spectrum of urological surgery, office practice, and training junior residents in urologic technique.
Rotations
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PGY-1
- Rotations (six months)
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
The first year resident learns basic management of urologic patients across all urologic disciplines. This rotation also offers a unique opportunity for the resident to partake in an intensive endourology experience with regular exposure to a variety of cases. There is also early exposure to robotics, urodynamics, reconstruction, and minor open surgical procedures. - MedStar Washington Hospital Center
This rotation offers the resident exposure to a variety of complex pathologies. The level-1 trauma bay ensures exposure to diverse presentations of blunt and penetrating urologic trauma. This rotation gives the resident an opportunity to establish independence both in the operating room and on the hospital floor. - General Surgery Rotations (six months)
First year residents will spend six months on general surgery services including trauma, plastic surgery, colorectal surgery, and SICU.
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
- Rotations (six months)
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PGY-2
- Rotations (four months each)
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
The second year resident learns basic management of urologic patients across all urologic disciplines. The resident has a unique opportunity to partake in an intensive endourology experience as well as gain exposure to robotics, urodynamics, reconstruction, and open surgical procedures. The resident also participates in clinics to learn outpatient decision making and consulting. - MedStar Washington Hospital Center
As the resident responsible for the consult service, this rotation offers the resident exposure to a variety of complex pathologies. The resident also manages the cystoscopy suite, gaining regular exposure to TURBTs, TURPs, and ureteroscopy. This rotation gives the resident an opportunity to establish independence both in the operating room and on the hospital floor. - Veterans Affairs Medical Center
The PGY-2 works alongside the chief at the VA. The resident runs weekly cystoscopy and prostate biopsy clinics and becomes skilled in performing these procedures. Additionally, they assist in all major cases and manage the consult service.
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
- Rotations (four months each)
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PGY-3
- Rotations
- Children’s National Medical Center
To gain early exposure to pediatrics, residents spend two months rotating at CNMC, one of the most respected children’s hospitals in the country. CNMC has a distinguished pediatric urology team who sub-specialize in a variety of disciplines including nephrolithiasis, spina bifida and complex reconstruction. There is also the unique opportunity to work alongside residents from George Washington University and Walter Reed. The CNMC rotation is rooted in academic pursuit. Residents partake in weekly didactics as well as a weekly multi-disciplinary radiology rounds. They also have an opportunity to become involved in a variety of research endeavors, ranging from clinical trials to large population-based projects. - Shady Grove Fertility
Residents rotate at one of the nation’s top infertility centers. Residents learn the workup, diagnosis and management of male factor infertility. Residents learn how to perform a variety of andrology and microsurgical procedures such as vasectomy, testicular biopsy, varicocelectomy, and vasovasostomy. - MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
The resident spends four months at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital during the PGY3 year, where time is primarily spent in the operating room participating in complex cases such as robotic prostatectomy, HOLEP and PCNL. This is complimented by ample time in the outpatient setting to learn how to evaluate, counsel and treat patients with these disease processes. - MedStar Washington Hospital Center
The resident spends four months at MedStar Washington Hospital Center as a PGY3. Two months are spent on a reconstruction rotation, working exclusively with urologists who are fellowship-trained in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and Male Genitourinary Reconstruction and Trauma. During this rotation, residents learn the clinical diagnosis and management of pelvic floor disorders. The resident help perform procedures such as urethroplasty, prosthetic surgery, abdominal and transvaginal prolapse repairs, and procedures for the surgical management of incontinence. The remaining two months are spent participating in complex cases in urologic oncology, advanced stone disease and weekly resident clinic. - Urology Research
This year allows for an introductory month of the research rotation in which residents can work on project development and IRB submission. There is a dedicated research mentor to help guide residents through these processes and set them up for success to complete a project in the PGY 4 year. Residents have the flexibility to develop and complete a project in any subspecialty area of Urology with fellowship-trained mentors.
- Children’s National Medical Center
- Rotations
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PGY-4
- Rotations
- Children's National Medical Center
Residents spend four months rotating at CNMC, one of the most respected children’s hospitals in the country. CNMC has a distinguished pediatric urology team who sub-specialize in a variety of disciplines including nephrolithiasis, spina bifida and complex reconstruction. There is also the unique opportunity to work alongside residents from George Washington University and Walter Reed.
The CNMC rotation is rooted in academic pursuit. Residents partake in weekly didactics as well as a weekly multi-disciplinary radiology rounds. They also have an opportunity to become involved in a variety of research endeavors, ranging from clinical trials to large database-oriented projects. - National Institutes of Health
The two-month NIH rotation gives residents a truly unique opportunity to participate in the care of some of the most rare and complex pathologies in urologic oncology. Utilizing the most innovative and advanced surgical techniques, residents work with the NIH urology team to treat hereditary kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and advanced bladder cancer patients. In addition to learning advanced surgical skills (such as multi-tumor robotic and open partial nephrectomies), residents become adept in MRI-fusion prostate biopsy and are exposed to focal therapy for prostate cancer, robotic cystectomies for advanced bladder cancer, and other innovative cancer treatment modalities. The rotation offers endless opportunities for becoming involved in cutting-edge research. - MedStar Washington Hospital Center
The urology resident spends four months at MedStar Washington Hospital Center as a PGY4. Two months are spent on a reconstruction rotation, working exclusively with urologists who are fellowship-trained in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and Male Genitourinary Reconstruction and Trauma. During this rotation, residents will learn the clinical diagnosis and management of pelvic floor disorders. The resident will also help perform procedures such as urethroplasty, prosthetic surgery, abdominal and transvaginal prolapse repairs, and procedures for the surgical management of incontinence. The remaining two months are spent participating in complex cases in urologic oncology and advanced stone disease and weekly resident clinic. - Urology Research
This year allows for another two months of dedicated Urology research in which residents can complete their own research project. During this time residents should collect and analyze data and draft abstracts for presentation at regional and national conferences. The research should be completed by manuscript publication. There is a dedicated research mentor to help guide residents through these processes and set them up for success. Residents have the flexibility to develop and complete a project in any subspecialty area of Urology with fellowship-trained mentors.
- Children's National Medical Center
- Rotations
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PGY-5 (Chief Resident)
- Rotations
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
During this rotation, the chief resident takes ownership of the service, overseeing the management of consults and floor patients. The chief spends the bulk of the rotation in the operating room performing advanced oncologic procedures such as partial nephrectomy and robotic cystectomy with intracorporeal conduit creation as well as complex female and male reconstruction cases. The chief resident also oversees academic conferences such as M&M, resident didactics, and Grand Rounds. - MedStar Washington Hospital Center
During this rotation, chief residents spend their time in the operating room performing advanced urologic surgeries such as robotic cystectomy, pan-urethroplasty, complex partial nephrectomy, and advanced open surgery. The chief resident oversees a weekly resident clinic and manages academic conferences such as tumor board, M&M, and indications conference. - Veterans Affairs Medical Center
The chief resident works alongside a junior resident. During this rotation, the resident develops independence in various facets of urologic practice. At the VA, the chief establishes continuity of care by seeing patients in clinic, performing their work-up, booking them for surgery, completing the surgery, and managing them in the post-operative period.
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
- Rotations
Research
Our urology department places a large emphasis on providing great research opportunities to residents. With the move to a five-year program, residents will now have a dedicated research block during the residency with a month rotation in the PGY-3 year and a 2 month rotation in the PGY-4 year. During this time residents should collect and analyze data and draft abstracts for presentation at regional and national conferences. The research should be completed by manuscript publication. There is a dedicated research mentor to help guide residents through these processes and set them up for success. Residents have the flexibility to develop and complete a project in any subspecialty area of Urology with fellowship-trained mentors.
The program also hosts quarterly department-wide research meetings and a monthly urologic oncology research meeting. During those conferences, faculty present ongoing research projects and current clinical trials. Residents can also propose their research ideas to the department.
Each year our residents’ research is presented at the Mid-Atlantic regional AUA meeting as well as the national AUA conference. Residents have also presented at various subspecialty society meetings including the Society of Urologic Oncology, Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction, the Society of Pediatric Urology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Diversity and inclusion
The MedStar Health Department of Urology is dedicated to providing clinical care and promoting training environments that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We partner with community organizations to provide urologic care to patients who are underinsured or without insurance at all, as well as those patients who have historically lacked access to the subspecialty care they need.
We also serve the international community through the MedStar Georgetown Advocacy and International Services Program, which facilitates transportation, lodging, financial arrangements, and interpretation services for our patients seeking care at MedStar Health from outside the country.
We are committed to developing a residency program that reflects the diversity of our communities and the diversity we envision in the future leaders within the field of urology.
*New* DEI Scholarship – Apply Now!
The Urology Department at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is focused on creating a working environment that is diverse and equitable. This year, in conjunction with the MedStar Health Working Group for Racial Justice, the Urology department will be providing several scholarships to visiting 4th year medical students who are under-represented in medicine (URM) and wish to participate in a 4-week away rotation at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
The scholarship provides a $1,500 stipend to help cover travel and housing costs associated with away rotations.
Application Requirements:
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Must be a rising 4th year medical student (domestic LCME-accredited medical school) applying to Urology residency the upcoming year
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Must be under-represented in medicine (URM)
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CV
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Medical School transcript (unofficial)
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Letter of recommendation
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Personal Statement, 300 words or less, explaining how your background contributes to diversity in Urology
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Step 1 Score/Pass Report
How to Apply:
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Please send an email to ryan.a.hankins@medstar.net with subject line “URM Scholarship Application, (Insert Name)”
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Attach all required documents to the email
Any visiting medical student to Georgetown SOM & MedStar Health must come through VSLO/VSAS for a defined (and approved) clinical rotation as posted in the VSAS course catalog (available early March), so please refer to the "Visiting Students" section for additional information.
Training locations
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd. NW
Washington, D.C., 20007
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW
Washington, D.C., 20010
Washington DC VA Medical Center
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C., 20420
Children’s National Health System
111 Michigan Avenue NW
Washington, D.C., 20010
The National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Visiting students
Away rotations are coordinated through the Georgetown University School of Medicine (GUSOM) using the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program. Electives are offered to 4th-year medical students enrolled in U.S. LCME-accredited institutions and osteopathic students.
For international student inquiries Please contact Dr. Irma Frank, the Senior Associate Dean for International Programs, for further information. Dr. Frank can be reached at franki@georgetown.edu.
Diversity Scholarship - Apply Now!
The Urology Department at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital is focused on creating a working environment that is diverse and equitable by supporting members of all ages, ethnicities, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds pursuing Urology. This year, in conjunction with MedStar Health Academic Affairs, the department will be providing 3 scholarships to 4th year medical students who are applying to Urology residency and wish to participate in a 4-week away rotation at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
The scholarship provides a $1,500 stipend to help cover travel and housing costs associated with away rotations. Students of diverse backgrounds/under-represented in medicine (URM) are encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements:
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Must be a rising 4th year medical student (domestic LCME-accredited medical school) applying to Urology residency the upcoming year
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CV
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Medical School transcript (unofficial)
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Letter of recommendation
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Personal Statement, 300 words or less, explaining how your background has led you to appreciate the difficulties faced by the medical underserved in Urology and how your participation in this program will enhance your professional interests and further your career goals.
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Step 1 Score/Pass Report
How to Apply:
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Please send an email to ryan.a.hankins@medstar.net with subject line “URM Scholarship Application, (Insert Name)”
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Attach all required documents to the email
Overview of 2024-2025 visiting student policies and procedures:
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Any visiting medical student to Georgetown SOM & MedStar Health must come through VSLO/VSAS for a defined (and approved) clinical rotation as posted in the VSAS course catalog (available early March).
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Visiting students will be able to submit applications starting April 1, 2024.
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Applications will be reviewed by departments starting April 1, 2024 and will be processed on a rolling basis. Decisions will be conveyed to applicants by the GUSOM via VSLO.
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In-person visiting rotations will be offered only for rotations that begin on or after July 1, 2024, not prior.
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MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Department of Urology will NOT be offering a virtual course for credit during the 2024-25 academic year.
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Please see the most current visiting student policy for more details and timeline for the 2024-2025 academic year; this policy is outlined, along with additional information, on the GUSOM visiting student website.
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Elective rotation directors and administrators review applications and accept/deny students. Accepted students are onboarded through the Office of Medical Education and the MedStar Department/service line that is hosting the student.
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Contacting the GUSOM or Department of Urology will not expedite the processing of your application. All visiting students will be notified by the Office of Medical Education (through VSLO) as to your application status. If you have specific questions that are not in regard to your application status please direct your inquiries to the Office of Medical Education at medicaleducationoffice@georgetown.edu.
As outlined above, the VSLO application portal will open April 1, 2024 for application submissions and we will begin reviewing applications at that time. Please do not call or e-mail the GUSOM or Urology department regarding the status of your application; once the placement of our students is complete, the GUSOM will begin notifying visiting students of application decisions on a block-by-block basis (no less than 30 days prior to the rotation start). Per the GUSOM, in-person visiting rotations will be offered only for rotations that begin on or after July 1st, 2024, not prior. Please see VSLO for the list of Urololgy elective rotation blocks available in 2024-2025 (available starting April 1, 2024).
If you are placed in an elective, you will be notified via VSLO email. You will receive further information from the course administrator/director closer to the rotation start date. If you have not heard from your elective administrator/director within one week prior to the start of your scheduled rotation date, please email the Office of Medical Education at medicaleducationoffice@georgetown.edu..
Please refer to the Policy on Visiting Students (Eligibility & Requirements) prior to applying through VSLO.
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Instagram: GeorgetownuroresTwitter: @GUUrology
Contact us
Please feel free to contact us with any questions about our residency program.
Kim Hall
Urology & Orthopaedic Surgery Program Coordinator
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road, NW – 1PHC
Washington, D.C., 20007
Directions
We are located at 3800 Reservoir Road NW, right next to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., easily accessible by car or by public transportation.
The links below contain driving directions, maps, parking information, and public transportation information.