Program Design
The four-year urology program is designed to provide both research and clinical experience for the urology trainee. The R-2 year of training provides six months in the research laboratories under the direction of Dr. Levin, studying bladder development and dysfunction with exposure to biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology. Other research projects may be designed specifically by the resident and faculty, if particular research topics are defined (for example, molecular pathology and biomarkers in cooperation with the Division of Pathology or biomechanical engineering topics in conjunction with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).
The research resident also has some clinical responsibility at the VA Medical Center and learns cystoscopy and prostate biopsy, as well as outpatient evaluation and management. The other six months of the R-2 year are spent on the clinical service at the Albany Medical Center. This experience prepares residents to evaluate and treat patients with urological problems. Residents gain experience in all forms of cystoscopy (flexible and rigid, stone manipulation, optical urethrotomy) and training in the use of the resectoscope. In addition, they assist in transurethral resections of the prostate and resection of bladder tumors, as well as assist and perform open surgical procedures commensurate with their abilities.
The R-3 and R-4 years at the Albany Medical Center are spent on both the Adult Urology and Pediatric Urology rotations. Each resident is paired with a faculty mentor for a complete range of operative and office experiences in the specialty services of endourology, neurourology, and urologic oncology. Residents expand their skills in ureteroscopy, laser lithotripsy, minimally-invasive procedures for prostate disease, and gain increased exposure to open surgical cases.
The pediatric urology service exposes the resident to the full range of pediatric and reconstructive urology cases. In addition, residents gain experience in the evaluation and management of pediatric patients through active participation in the pediatric urology office practice.
Other integral rotations include the St. Peter's Hospital rotation where the resident functions as a senior resident. Residents accept responsibility for the evaluation and treatment of urology patients. They also assist and perform endoscopic and open procedures under the supervision of the attending staff. These residents also have dedicated clinic time to evaluate patients in the outpatient setting.
Residents spend the final year as chief resident at AMC. Responsibilities include day-to-day management of the inpatient and consultation services, resident assignment, and coverage of surgical cases.
Chief residents coordinate the teaching activities for the service including conference preparation and provide active mentorship to junior residents. They assist and perform all urological procedures.
Throughout the training program the residents gain experience with the St. Peter's Stone Center and are certified in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The residents learn the application of medical lasers (CO2, Nd:YAG, KTP, and Holmium), as well as diagnostic ultrasound and laparoscopy. Access to minimally invasive surgical techniques such as microwave thermotherapy, prostate brachytherapy, laparoscopic, and hand-assisted laparoscopic urological procedures is provided to all residents. The residents also have 24-hour access to the Minimally Invasive Surgery Training Center to gain proficiency in laparoscopic techniques and familiarity with new instrumentation.
Ambulatory Care Experience
Broad-based clinical experience is gained throughout the program through resident participation in the offices of full-time staff members at AMC, clinical faculty at St. Peter's Hospital, and the Veteran's Administration Medical Center Urology Clinic.
