Overview
The Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for urologists seeking to specialize in Robotic-Assisted Surgeries and Minimally Invasive Urologic Oncology. Accredited by the Endourological Society, our program is recognized as a leader in this field. The program started in 1997 with a focus on laparoscopic surgery. Later, in 2004, one of the earliest robotic surgery fellowships was established, with Dr. Jihad Kaouk as the founding director. By 2008, the program had seamlessly integrated laparoscopic and robotic surgery, offering a comprehensive fellowship experience.
The RSMIOU fellowship program provides two distinct paths: a one-year focus solely on clinical experience or an extended option combining one year of clinical work with an additional year dedicated to research. Our fellowship program is committed to shaping the next generation of skilled and compassionate surgeons, well-prepared to provide the highest quality care to patients and to excel as leaders in the field of urologic oncology and robotic surgery.
In addition to the RSMIUO fellowship, Cleveland Clinic also offers a research-focused fellowship. This unique opportunity welcomes both U.S. graduates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with an interest in robotic surgery and minimally invasive urologic oncology. Selected participants will have the chance to collaborate closely with clinical fellows, access comprehensive databases, participate in national and international meetings, and take advantage of complementary courses offered by the Cleveland Clinic, all under the mentorship of our experienced faculty. Participants in this fellowship are not allowed to engage in direct patient care.
For valuable insights into life in Cleveland, we invite you to explore the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute’s website.
Curriculum
In the clinical rotations, fellows will be immersed in a dynamic environment, participating in approximately 700 robotic and minimally invasive oncologic cases ranging from routine to complex procedures. The training program presents a distinctive opportunity for participants to work with world-renowned robotic surgeons, fostering collaboration and hands-on learning in this cutting-edge field. This experience will not only allow the trainees to hone their technical skills but also strengthen their decision-making capabilities. Fellows also undergo four comprehensive rotations, encompassing medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology. This multifaceted approach is designed to expand their perspectives and deepen their insights into the diverse aspects of oncologic patient care. Moreover, the selected fellows will have the advantage of managing a personal caseload of general urology patients, aligning with their role as limited clinical practitioners at the Cleveland Clinic.
The research year of the RSMIUO fellowship is a deep dive into scholarly pursuits, offering trainees the opportunity to significantly contribute to the field. With access to a wide array of resources and mentorship, fellows are well-positioned to engage in impactful research activities. Historically, this has resulted in the production of over 20 peer-reviewed publications per fellow.
List of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Procedures:
Fellows in our program will gain expertise in a wide range of robotic and Minimally Invasive Urologic procedures, including but not limited to:
- Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.
- Robotic-Assisted Partial and Radical Nephrectomy.
- Robotic-Assisted Radical Nephroureterectomy.
- Laparoscopic Radical and Simple Nephrectomy.
- Robotic-Assisted Partial Cystectomy.
- Robotic-Assisted Radical Cystectomy with Intracorporeal Urinary Diversion.
- Robotic-Assisted Adrenalectomy.
- Robotic-Assisted Renal Transplant and Autotransplant.
- Robotic-Assisted Upper Urinary Tract Reconstruction (e.g., Pyeloplasty, Ileal ureter Ureterocalicostomy).
- Robotic-Assisted Lower Urinary Tract Reconstruction (e.g., Ureteral reimplantation, Boari flap, bladder diverticulectomy, augmentation cystoplasty, bladder neck reconstruction, Rectourethral fistula repair).
- Robotic-Assisted Simple Prostatectomy.
- High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound.
- Renal Thermal Ablation.
- MRI-guided transperineal prostate biopsy.
- MRI-guided transrectal prostate biopsy.
Unique surgeries offered by our program:
- Single-Port Robot-Assisted Partial Prostatectomy.
- Single-Port Robotic Extraperitoneal Kidney Transplant.
- Single-Port Robot-Assisted Kidney Autotransplantation for Nutcracker Syndrome.
- Transvesical and Transperineal Single-Port Robot-Assisted Prostate Surgery for Hostile Abdomens.
- Pediatric Single-Port Robotic Pyeloplasty.
- Low Anterior Access for Single-Port Renal Surgery.
Benefits of Our Program
- High-Volume Exposure: Our fellowship offers an unparalleled clinical experience, providing fellows with exposure to a diverse and significant number of robotic and minimally invasive procedures.
- Advanced Robotic Techniques: Fellows will have the opportunity to learn and perform cutting-edge robotic procedures, including single-port surgeries, promoting innovation and adaptability in the next generation of robotic urologists.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Throughout the program, the fellows will undergo specific clinical rotations with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. This approach enables a comprehensive understanding of patient care, ensuring a well-rounded and fully integrated learning experience. Additionally, trainees will actively participate in weekly academic activities, including tumor boards and Oncology conferences.
- Enhanced training opportunities: Fellows will have the unique privilege of engaging in hands-on experience at our animal lab, overseen by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Additionally, CCF boasts an exceptional Advanced Simulation Center, providing cutting-edge resources for training.
- Additional Educational Activities:
- VARSIT-E (Virtual Academy of Robotic Surgery, Innovation, Training, and Education) is set to launch in 2024. This cutting-edge platform is designed to engage fellows in a comprehensive range of activities, enriching their surgical education and expertise through advanced virtual resources.
- The Single Port Advanced Research Consortium (SPARC), established in 2018, promotes collaborative research among various institutions to propel advancements in robotic surgery. Fellows in this program will participate in cross-institutional projects, contributing significantly to the evolution of the field.
- Access to Complimentary Courses: As part of our commitment to empowering aspiring professionals, Cleveland Clinic provides an array of free courses, meticulously curated by our experts. These invaluable resources encompass a wide range of subjects, including the discipline of biostatistics.
- Leadership Development: The fellowship fosters leadership skills, encouraging fellows to take on clinical, educational, and research responsibilities, preparing them for future leadership roles in academia or practice.
- Networking Opportunities: Fellows will have the chance to interact with experts in the field through national and international conferences, expanding their professional network and promoting fruitful collaborations.
- Medical Art Department: Cleveland Clinic takes pride in its distinguished Medical Art Department, home to a team of renowned medical illustrators. By combining artistry with in-depth Urology knowledge, our publications not only meet the highest standards of quality but also become powerful educational tools for Urology practitioners, students, and the broader community.
Meet Our Faculty
Research-Focused Fellowship
This program invites candidates with a keen interest in these cutting-edge fields. Participants in the fellowship benefit from an immersive research environment, collaborating closely with both clinical fellows and experienced faculty. The program provides access to extensive and specialized databases, offering a rich resource for research endeavors. Additionally, fellows participate in both national and international conferences, presenting a platform for broader engagement with the global urological community. The Cleveland Clinic further enhances the learning experience with complementary educational courses. Guided by the expertise of the Clinic's faculty, participants are nurtured in a supportive and intellectually stimulating setting, fostering significant advancements in Robotics and Urologic Oncology.
How to apply
Interested applicants should contact:
Jihad H. Kaouk, MD
Director, Center for Robotic & Image-Guided Surgery
Fellowship Program Director, Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Urologic Oncology
Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute
9500 Euclid Ave. Q10
Cleveland, OH 44195 USA
216.444.2976
kaoukj@ccf.org
Melanie Symons
Education Program Coordinator
Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute
9500 Euclid Ave. Q10
216.445.4096 Fax: 216.636.4492
urologyfellowship@ccf.org
Publications, Videos and Awards
Access some of our team's publications below:
- Dr. Jihad Kaouk's Google Scholar profile.
- Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber's Google Scholar profile.
- Dr. Robert J Stein's PubMed publications.
Some of the most recent awards and honors achieved by our team:
- Top Ten Submissions: Low Anterior Access for Retroperitoneal Single-Port Robotic Partial Nephrectomy, KS Awards 2023, Belgium, October 2023.
- Third Prize Poster: Complications of Single-Port Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: A Multi-Institutional Report from the Single-Port Advanced Research Consortium (SPARC), ERUS 2023, September 2023.
- Best of Robotics Theater: Epidural Anesthesia Without Mechanical Ventilation in Single-Port Transvesical Radical and Simple Prostatectomy, AUA 2023, Chicago, April 2023.
- Best Video Abstract: Single-Port Kidney Auto-Transplantation (SP-KAT) with Boari Flap Ureteral Reimplant: Description of our Novel Approach, AUA 2023, Chicago, April 2023.
- Best Podium Presentation (by Ethan Ferguson): Epidural Anesthesia without Mechanical Ventilation in Single-Port Transvesical Radical and Simple Prostatectomy, OUS 2023, Colombus, March 2023.
- First Prize Video: Single-Port Transvesical Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy, SURS World Congress of Robotic Surgery 2022, Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC, December 2022.
- International Innovations Award 2022, Vattikuti Foundation, November 2022.
- First Prize, Vattikuti Foundation KS International Robotic Surgery Video Awards: Single-port Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation Extraperitoneal Approach, September 2022.
- AUA2022 award winning poster on Single-port Transvesical vs Multiport Robotic Simple Prostatectomy: A MultiInstitutional Matched-pair Comparison. Invited to contribute an article to AUANews, May 2022.
- Best Surgical Movie Award: Single-Port Transvesical Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: Description of technique, AUA 2022, New Orleans, May 2022.
- Best Poster Abstract: Single Port Transvesical Partial Prostatectomy: Feasibility and Initial Outcomes, Engineering and Urology Society (EUS), New Orleans, May 2022.
- Best Paper Award: Single Port Robotic Transvesical Partial Prostatectomy: Feasibility and Initial Outcomes, Engineering & Urology Society-AUA, New Orleans, 2022.
- Societe Internationale d’Urologie Olympus 2019 Best Video Award Runner up: Single Port Transvesical Simple Prostatectomy, Athens Greece, 2019.
- Best Surgical Movie Award: Robotic Single-Port Retroperitoneal Partial Nephrectomy, AUA 2018.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply in their senior resident year (one year prior to graduation) through the Endourological Society.
Contact information
Jihad H. Kaouk, MD
Director, Center for Robotic & Image-Guided Surgery
Fellowship Program Director, Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Urologic Oncology
Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute
9500 Euclid Ave., Q10-1
Cleveland, OH 44195 USA
216.444.2976
kaoukj@ccf.org
Melanie Symons
Education Program Coordinator
Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute
9500 Euclid Ave. Q10
216.445.4096 Fax: 216.636.4492
urologyfellowship@ccf.org
For any further questions or details, please email the Urology Fellowship Coordinator at UrologyFellowship@ccf.org.
