Reconstructive Urologic Surgery Fellowship

The Center for Reconstructive Urologic Surgery is a regional, national, and international referral center dedicated to disorders of the male urethra and external genitalia founded by Dr. Leonard Zinman in 1973.

The fellowship is a one year clinical position, designed to provide expertise in adult reconstructive urology including:

  • Urethral reconstruction
  • Hypospadias
  • Rectourethral fistula repair
  • Robotic and open ureteral reconstruction
  • Buried penis repair
  • Gender affirming surgery and complications of gender affirming surgery
  • Peyronie's disease
  • Genital lymphedema
  • Surgery for penile and urethral cancer
  • GU prosthetic cases (AUS, male sling, IPP)

Fellows will participate in a high volume reconstructive practice with over 500 cases a year to choose from and GURS case log consisting of >300 procedures per year (>150 urethral reconstructions per year). In addition to a large surgical volume, fellows will participate in a weekly reconstruction clinic gaining experience in preoperative decision making and urethral imaging.

Goals & Objectives for Training

This fellowship provides robust exposure to complex reconstructive urologic and prosthetic surgery. The fellow will attain graduated responsibility in the operating room throughout the year. The goal of training is to obtain expertise in the pre-operative, operative, and post-operative management of adult reconstructive urology. Additionally, clinical research, surgical education and mentoring are emphasized with the goal of training individuals for a future academic career in reconstructive urology.

Clinical Responsibilities

The fellow needs to obtain a Massachusetts medical license and will function as a clinical instructor with hospital staff privileges. The fellow will run an independent clinic approximately three days per month. The fellow will operate three to four days per week and spend one day per week in our reconstruction clinic.

Research

Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in clinical research through Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, as well as participate in outcomes studies with the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons (TURNS) database.

Fellows will be expected to submit at least two abstracts to a regional or national meeting, and to submit at least one manuscript for peer-reviewed publication. Support is provided for travel to the annual meeting of the American Urological Association.

Teaching

Fellows will supervise residents in the operating room and are expected to participate in weekly departmental conferences including morbidity and mortality, GU radiology, indications, journal club and Grand Rounds.

Prerequisites

To be considered for our fellowship, the following prerequisites must be met:

  • Applicant must be eligible for medical licensure in Massachusetts prior to starting the fellowship and be a United States citizen.
  • Admission is contingent upon completion of a urologic training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
  • Applicant should complete all three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
  • Applicant must have three letters of support for the fellowship. One of these must be from his/her current program director.

Faculty
  • Alex J. Vanni, MD, FACS
    Program Director
  • Khushabu Kasabwala, MD
    Gender Affirming Surgery and Reconstruction
  • Andrew McCullough, MD
    Men’s Health and Sexual Medicine
  • Alireza Moinzadeh, MD
    Division Chair and Chief of Robotic Urologic Surgery
More Information & How To Apply

We participate in the AUA match for fellowships in genitourinary reconstructive surgery. Information is available from the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons.

For more information, please contact:

Alex J. Vanni, MD, FACS
Reconstructive Urologic Surgery Fellowship Program Director
Phone: 781-744-8420
Fax: 617-299-8255
Email Dr. Vanni

Joanne Messina
Senior Program Coordinator
Email Joanne Messina