The modern management of male reproductive and sexual health requires an in-depth knowledge not only of surgery but also of imaging, biopsy techniques, pathology, endocrinology, radiology and basic science. The andrology fellowship is designed to enhance the basic knowledge of the management of male sexual health and reproductive health acquired by a urology trainee, particularly in the non-surgical disciplines.
The existence of the fellowship is to augment and support Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Department of Urology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and to advance the field of sexual health and infertility consistent with the goals of the above-mentioned institutions.
Successful completion of a five or six year accredited program in urology is a prerequisite.
The andrology fellowship will enable the resident to acquire an advanced body of knowledge and level of skill in the management of reproductive and sexual health diseases in order to assume a leadership role in teaching and research in the field. This will include:
- an understanding of the classification and evaluation of erectile dysfunction;
- knowledge of the indications, techniques, and complications of radiographic evaluation of the arterial supply of the penis;
- an understanding of the basic techniques of testicular biopsy, evaluation and tissue processing, recognition of basic testicular pathology, and knowledge of pathologic prognostic factors;
- the ability to counsel patients on treatment options for therapy for erectile dysfunction and reproductive health abnormalities;
- an evaluation of erectile dysfunction and reproductive dysfunction in an office based setting;
- an understanding of the indications, complications, techniques, and results and biology of erectile dysfunction treatments;
- an understanding of the indications, results and basic biology of localized and systemic treatment for reproductive dysfunction; and
- an understanding of the biology, evaluation and treatment of local therapies to the penis and testis.
In addition, individuals completing this training program will be able to:
- evaluate the clinical literature on erectile dysfunction and reproductive health in a critical fashion and make contributions to the field;
- teach the specialty of andrology; and
- organize a multidisciplinary approach to erectile dysfunction and male infertility care.
- Evaluation and management of erectile function and dysfunction.
- Erectile dysfunction risk assessment.
- Male infertility risk assessment.
- Male infertility genetics.
- Screening and diagnostic radiographic and ultrasound techniques.
- Natural history and pathology of erectile dysfunction and male infertility.
- Selection of local therapy, contraindications and expected outcomes in treatment of erectile dysfunction.
- Selection of local therapy, contraindications for treatment of testicular failure and infertility.
- Consequences of systemic treatments on erectile function and testicular function.
- Effect of systemic chemotherapy and endocrine therapy on reproductive health and sexual health.
- Preoperative workup and postoperative management of surgical patients with sexual dysfunction.
- Preoperative workup and postoperative management of postsurgery testicular biopsy imaging techniques.
- Psychosocial and legal aspects of erectile dysfunction and reproductive health.
- Doppler ultrasound of penile arteries.
- Dynamic infusion cavernosography and cavernosometry.
- Penile reconstruction using a variety of autologous and non-autologous materials.
- Techniques for implantation of the complicated penile prosthesis and revision.
- Ultrasound and MR imaging of testicular and vasal abnormalities.
- Biopsy techniques of testis.
- Percutaneous and open sperm retrieval techniques.
- Management of varicocele techniques.
- Microscopic interpretation of testicular pathology.
The program will be directed by Dr. Kevin McVary (Director of Sexual Health at the Feinberg School of Medicine) and co-director Dr. Robert Brannigan (Director of Male Reproductive Health). The program will be in the Department of Urology under the general oversight of Chairman Dr. Anthony Schaeffer.
The primary faculty for the program will be Drs. McVary and Brannigan. Participating faculty will include Drs. Gonzalez and Schaeffer. Supervision of the fellow in non-surgical disciplines will be the responsibility of the individual in that section designated as the leader in treatment efforts in imaging, pathology, and reproductive endocrinology.
The fellow will not be responsible for the supervision of urology residents. Six months of the fellowship will be spent on sexual health rotations. The balance will be spent on reproductive andrology rotations. The integrity of the urology residency will be maintained during its respective rotations by scheduling fellows and chief residents to cover different attendings. At present many cases are done by attending staff due to lack of appropriate resident coverage; thus participation of the fellow in selected cases will not impact the operative experience of the urology residents.
Written applications, including a copy of the candidate's curriculum vitae and letters of recommendation, will be solicited. Appropriate candidates will be interviewed by Drs. McVary, Brannigan, Schaeffer, and other participating faculty. Applicants will be selected by the faculty committee based on past record of achievement, recommendations, and interview process, without regard to gender or race.
Fellows will be evaluated by participating faculty for each of the rotations in the program. In addition to this, an overall evaluation will be done by faculty to assess whether the fellow has met the goals for the curriculum and skills acquisition. The program director and faculty committee will meet with the fellow at three, six and eleven months to provide performance feedback.
Successful completion of the program will be contingent upon meeting curricular and skill requirements as judged by the evaluation. In addition, the trainee must complete at least one scholarly project suitable for publication, make one national presentation, and show evidence of teaching medical students and residents.
The fellowship will be part of the McGaw Medical Center Graduate Medical Education Program. All policies of the McGaw Medical Center Graduate Medical Education Program will apply to the fellowship, fellows and faculty. Fellows will be recommended for appointment to the urology faculty of Northwestern University at the level of Clinical Instructor. Any faculty appointment will be co-terminus with the duration of the fellowship.
If interested in applying for the andrology fellowship, please send letter of application, CV and three letters of recommendation to:
Kevin T. McVary, MD
(312) 503-3238
k-ross@northwestern.edu
