Overview
Duration of 1 year. The educational program is based on Society of Urodynamics and Female Urology (SUFU) guidelines. It covers the following modules:
- Urodynamic Testing. Extensive urodynamic testing in the state-of-the-art laboratory using fluorourodynamics provides a thorough understanding of different disease processes.
- LUTS and Urinary Incontinence (male and female)
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Voiding Dysfunction (neurogenic and non-neurogenic)
- Genitourinary Reconstruction. GU reconstruction includes use of bowel, urethroplasty, and ureteral reconstruction.
These modules cover diagnostic evaluation and treatment of neurogenic bladder, pelvic floor dysfunction and prolapse, rectovaginal fistula, vesicovaginal and urethrovaginal fistula, and urinary incontinence and its different management modalities including behavior treatment, pharmacological treatment, biofeedback electrical stimulation, and surgical. The evaluation and treatment of anal incontinence is in collaboration with colorectal surgery. The educational activities cover the anatomy and pathophysiology of the bladder and the rectum. Urological reconstructive bowel surgery, male incontinence, urethral reconstructive surgery, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and bladder outlet obstruction are examples of the domain of this specialty. Monitoring outcomes of different treatments is an integral part of the curriculum. Practice management and coding is discussed on one-to-one basis, and included in the core curriculum. Clinical trial design and statistics are included in the educational activities.
In addition to the structured curriculum, other unique activities are integrated:
- Annual Female Pelvic Floor seminar and workshops enhance educational opportunity and exposure
- Monthly Journal Club meetings in combination with Urogynecology
- Monthly Pelvic Floor Disorders meetings in combination with Urogynecology and Colorectal
- Periodical research meetings
- One trip to related national meeting or seminar (requires approval of program director)
- Visiting surgeons (national and international) provide a healthy environment and a broader perspective for interaction
- The Research Fellows Program provides a stimulating and cooperative complimentary aspect of the fellowship
- Participation in house training programs
- Participation in the different clinical research projects on new medications and devices offers an up-to-date on the newest applications in the field.
Program Director
Sneha Vaish, MD
Goals & Objectives
- Provide advanced training in the specialty of female pelvic reconstruction and voiding dysfunction and GU bowel reconstruction.
- Attract and recruit qualified applicants
- Improve patient care and surgery using cost-effective and minimally invasive approaches
- Increase the basic science knowledge of pelvic anatomy, pathophysiology, and neurophysiology and monitor outcomes for different treatments provided
- Provide geographical outreach of services
The Program
On-call and Consult Responsibilities
On-call responsibilities are approximately 2-3 nights per week. The call is not in-house and typically one week every three weeks. The different staff members cover their own patients during the weekdays. The fellow covers consultations during the on-call days.
Research
Research is integrated with clinical work during the fellowship training. A reasonable schedule that allows a balance between clinical work, study, self-development, and research is emphasized. The fellow is expected to have at least one major project to complete and expected to present his/her work at the annual SUFU meeting.
Evaluations
Evaluation of fellow at least twice per year.
Evaluation of staff and program at least once per year.
Benefits
Benefits information including salaries, insurance information and more, can be found by visiting the Graduate Medical Education Benefits page.
Staff
Program Director
Program Coordinator
Vanessa Santos, BHSA
2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd.
Weston, Florida 33331
Phone: 954.659.5889
Fax: 954.659.6216
Email: santosv@ccf.org
Fellows
Class of 2018
Barbara Chubak, MD
