Program Overview
The University of Washington trains academic leaders in reconstructive urology. The fellowship, in its 17th year, continuously evolves in response to needs of patients and learners, and advances in surgery and technology. Building on a foundational understanding of injury mechanisms, ranging from acute trauma to the delayed effects of ionizing radiation and surgery, the program retains a significant focus on anterior and posterior urethra reconstruction. Additional emphasis areas include management of acute genitourinary injuries, genital reconstruction, and robotic upper and lower urinary tract surgery. The Fellow works closely with UW Medicine faculty members Hunter Wessells, Judith Hagedorn and Alexander Skokan, and Army urologist Jonathan Wingate. A structured educational program includes weekly conferences and daily interaction with urology residents, advance practice providers, and medical students. Surgical collaborations on complex reconstructive cases involve faculty in Trauma, Orthopedic, Colorectal and Plastic Surgery as well as surgeons developing a gender affirming surgery program. Experience with implants for ED and male urinary incontinence, rectourethral fistulae, Peyronie’s disease and urinary diversion completes the training. A portion of the Fellowship is devoted to scholarship. Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of the Urology Research Outcomes Collaborative and Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center.
Graduates
Graduates have advanced in academic departments, cancer centers, and community practice. Significant contributions to the field of GU trauma and reconstruction include their participation in AUA Guidelines, the TURNS Network, AUA Core Curriculum, as well as through NIH funded grants and leadership of centers of excellence in gender affirming surgery and new fellowship programs.
Program Graduates, 2005-present
The clinical fellowship includes year-long participation in complex elective genital and urinary reconstructive surgery and mentored graduated experience in acute injury management. The prospective fellow will have hospital staff privileges and a clinic of his/her own. A structured curriculum, weekly conferences, and close interaction with urology residents are provided.
Program Leadership
Hunter Wessells, MD, FACS
Program Director
Length of Fellowship
One year
Number of fellowships available
One position per year
Faculty
Since inception of this fellowship in 2005, the participating faculty has grown from one fellowship-trained reconstructive surgeon to four. Hunter Wessells, MD, FACS initiated the fellowship in 2005. Judith Hagedorn, MD, MHS, FACS, joined in 2016 and Alexander Skokan, MD and Jonathan Wingate, MD joined in 2020.
Goals and Objectives
The goal of advanced training in trauma and reconstructive urology is to impart further knowledge and skills beyond the expertise achieved during a urology residency program. The additional expertise should include critical analysis of complex clinical problems, development of advanced technical skills, and scholarship. The fellow should further enhance his/her skills in the planning of multidisciplinary approaches to patient care and mature his/her knowledge in clinical research methodologies.
After completing a one-year minimum fellowship in trauma and reconstructive urology, the graduate should demonstrate the following unique characteristics:
Ability to perform complex urethral and genital surgery with a clear understanding of the benefits and the technical limitations of surgical procedures;
Advanced expertise in the multidisciplinary management of patients with urologic trauma;
Knowledge and the ability to apply the critical principles of plastic surgery and urology imaging techniques
Extensive knowledge of and technical experience in lower urinary tract reconstruction and male incontinence surgery (AUS, male urethral sling);
Knowledge of the biology of injury and wound healing;
Comprehension of and facility with scientific methodology, study design, biostatistics, and data analysis;
Ability to manage academic or tertiary referral clinical practice and participate in continuing education.
Skills for self-education and collaboration in translational research.
Research Opportunities
The University of Washington is one of the top research institutions in the United States.
Research is encouraged under the supervision of an appropriate mentor. There are many opportunities for the fellow, and we fully support exploring new avenues for research based on the fellow’s desires/goals. Approximately 20% effort is allocated for research. The Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (HIPRC) allows fellows to participate in one of the leading institutions researching how and why people suffer injuries. There are many available databases for research projects – Harborview Medical Center Trauma Registry, National Trauma Data Bank, Crash Injury Research Engineering Network, Washington State Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System (CHARS), among others. The prospective fellow will be an integral part of the monthly research meetings which are attended by faculty, residents and medical students involved in reconstructive/trauma research projects.
Surgical Case Log
Application Requirements
Candidates must have completed an ACGME-approved residency in urology or the equivalent. The applicant must have passed all 3 steps of USMLE exam and be eligible for a WA State Medical License.
Application materials
- GURS Application Form
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal Statement
- At least 3 letters of recommendation (1) letter of support from their urology training program director recommending them for the fellowship and attesting to the candidate’s successful completion of the urology training program.
Application deadline: Thursday, February 1, 2024
Interview dates: Wednesdays, March 27 and April 3, 2024
Match date: Friday, June 28, 2024
All applications will be processed through the official UW Supported Hiring Portal, Interfolio to be considered.
For More Information
Virtual Open House: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 from 5-6pm PST
University of Washington Department of Urology
Box 356510
1959 NE Pacific St., BB-1114
Seattle, WA 98195-6510
Phone: 206-221-1509
Fax: 206-543-3272
urofellow@uw.edu