Curriculum

PGY-1 lays the foundation for comprehensive urologic patient care and includes broad exposure via a curated group of rotations. Four months are spent in urology training (General Urology 1 Rotations) at the Bethlehem and Anderson Campuses.  Seven months are spent in high-yield General Surgical rotations which cover surgical principles, perioperative care, and technical skills. Rotations include:

• General Surgery
• Acute Care/Trauma
• Surgical Oncology
• Colorectal
• Surgical Intensive Care
• Pediatric Surgery

Finally, one month is spent on Anesthesia and one month of Interventional Radiology.

In the PGY-2 year, rotations increase to 4 contiguous months in duration in order to maximize continuity of patient care and increase the comfort of the trainee with our attendings and hospitals. Rotations include General Urology 2 at both the Bethlehem and Anderson Campuses. At Bethlehem, the PGY-2 contributes to inpatient care and serves as the primary operative resident in a high volume of endourologic cases. At Anderson, the PGY-2 operates at the inpatient OR, begins bedside assist during robotics cases, and participates in outpatient clinic and procedures. This year also includes the Junior Pediatric rotation at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), during which time residents are provided with housing in Center City Philadelphia and are exempt from St. Luke’s calls.

In the PGY-3 year, the trainee steps into a leadership role and dives more heavily into subspecialty care in Robotics, Reconstruction, and Outpatient Surgery. The Junior Robotics/Reconstruction Rotation provides opportunity for console time during robotic prostatectomy, partial and radical nephrectomy. This resident also completes training in Reconstructive and prosthetic procedures during this rotation. These rotations are split between the three primary sites. This year is rounded out by the General Urology 3 rotation at the Allentown Campus. This includes inpatient care, Endourology, Robotics cases, and a high volume of prostate biopsies (including transperineal and fusion approaches).

In this year, the trainee steps into a senior/Chief role, which includes subspecialty training in Pediatrics and Female Pelvic Medicine, and dedicated research time. During the Senior Pediatric rotation, the PGY-4 serves as a senior resident at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for four months. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery is a 2-month outpatient rotation performed through collaboration with our Urogynecology colleagues at the Allentown Campus. The PGY-4 trainee also completes a Chief of Endourology rotation, dividing their time between the three inpatient sites, surgery center, and outpatient clinic to maximize expertise in advanced endourologic care — including percutaneous nephrolithotomy. This year also includes two months of dedicated time to participating in research.

In the final program year, trainees serve as Chief of Robotics and Chief of Oncology. Each of these 4-month rotations are focused on mastering advanced surgical and clinical skills and running the respective inpatient service. This year also includes a 4-month Administrative Rotation in which the trainee utilizes their learned leadership skills to assign junior residents to cases and assign themselves to cases in their desired subspecialty of interest prior to graduation.