Urology Residency Training Program

Overview

Our Urology Residency Program integrates six months of preliminary training in general surgery and nephrology, one-year of dedicated research time, and four-years of focused training in clinical urology and renal transplantation. According to the Doximity Residency Navigator Survey, the Cleveland Clinic Urology Residency Program is one of the top ranked urology residency programs in the nation for reputation, research and size.

Our program offers robust, high volume clinical training in a tertiary care center with countless challenging clinical experiences spanning the breadth of sub-specialties. We also place a strong emphasis on research and offer numerous opportunities for basic, translational, clinical and outcomes research during the dedicated research year as well as throughout residency.

• Watch our latest video to hear what current residents have to say about training at one of the nation's top hospitals, living in Cleveland and more

Department overview

The Department of Urology within the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute offers a full range of urological and kidney care for adults and children. The departmental activities encompass a high-volume practice with challenging clinical cases, extensive basic and translational scientific activities, and in-depth laboratory research within an environment that nurtures the future leaders of its specialties. Cleveland Clinic is recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care.

All members of the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute are committed to maintaining an academic environment that fosters the finest urologic training. Our collegial atmosphere and ample support staff enable residents to balance clinical and investigative training with family and personal interests outside the hospital. Our residents also pride themselves on maintaining this balance and pursuing interests outside urology. This philosophy culminates in graduates with the confidence and skill set to thrive in both general and sub-specialized urological care in either academic or private practice careers.

The Department of Urology provides care in the following sub-specialties:

• Urologic Oncology.
• Minimally Invasive (Laparoscopic and Robotic) Surgery.
• Renal and Pancreas Transplantation.
• Prosthetics and Genitourinary Reconstruction.
• Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.
• Endourology and Stone Disease.
• Men’s Health.
• Pediatric Urology.
• Urologic Congenitalism.
• Male Fertility.

History of the program

The history of the Cleveland Clinic Urology department dates back to the 1890s, when the first nephrectomy in Cleveland was performed by Dr. George Crile. He would later go on to form the Cleveland Clinic with his partner Dr. William Lower, who became the first chairman of urology and a pioneer in suprapubic prostatectomy. The reputation of the department grew in the 1950s with the hiring of Dr. Eugene Poutasse, a pioneer in the field of renovascular surgery and a leader in renal artery bypass. Dr. Ralph Straffon then expanded upon this expertise and grew Cleveland Clinic into the world’s most prolific renal transplantation center of the time. This tradition continued with kidney and transplant urologist and department Chairman Dr. Andrew Novick, who is widely regarded as the father of partial nephrectomy. Since this time, the department has continued to grow and now employs over 50 urologists and leaders in every sub-specialty within urology.

Research at Cleveland Clinic

In addition to providing world class clinical care, Cleveland Clinic maintains a vigorous urological research environment for both clinicians and basic scientists alike. The research tradition at Cleveland Clinic began soon after its inception with pioneering work in the 1930s and 1940s by Dr. Goldblatt and Dr. Paige, whose names are synonymous with the renovascular hypertension models they developed. Dr. William Kolff, pioneer in the field of artificial organs and winner of the Lasker Award, was the first physician to design, build, and use a dialysis machine in humans to treat renal failure. Dr. Novick published over 500 peer-reviewed articles in the areas of renal transplantation and nephron-sparing surgery.

This legacy of highly innovative research continues today with numerous multidisciplinary urological research expertise in areas such as bioengineering and biomechanics, the microbiome, genomic medicine, and public health areas of focus. The Genitourinary Malignancy Research Center within the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute regularly produces high-impact manuscripts at the forefront of prostate cancer research.

 

Academic Overview

Resident Responsibilities

From the first day following internship, urology residents are entrusted with independently running their own inpatient services, under the supervision of chief residents. Each rotation comprises a different service tailored to a subspecialty of urology. As residents rotate through each service, they work directly with faculty in a preceptorship to gain experience managing urologic disorders in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Additionally, our residents rotate at Louis Stokes Veteran Affairs, Fairview Hospital, Avon Hospital and Hillcrest Hospital.

Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs

Residents rotate at the Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Hospital in both their second and third years of residency. The rotation offers junior residents a chance to run their own procedure and continuity clinics. Residents learn to master the basics of endourology and general urology in the operating room.

1.2 miles from Main Campus

West Side Rotation

This rotation includes operating at Fairview and Avon Hospitals as a first and fifth year resident. Case volume is comprehensive and includes general urology, robotic and laparoscopy, endourology and infertility cases. 

13.6 miles (Fairview) and 21.5 miles (Avon) from Main Campus 

Hillcrest Hospital

Hillcrest Hospital is a community hospital that boasts a high volume of urologic cases. Residents in their third and fifth years of training rotate here together. Daily surgeries include a variety of general urology, robotic, open, endourology and female cases.

10.3 miles from Main Campus

Main Campus

The breadth of our urologic training comes from the Main Campus rotation, where residents spend the majority of their six years. In addition to the inpatient unit and outpatient clinics, residents at each level engage in surgical cases three to four days per week. At the junior level, an emphasis is placed on endourology, male genital surgery, and basic laparoscopy. Residents complete pediatric urology rotations during their second, third, and fifth years. During the later years, focus is shifted toward urologic oncology and reconstructive surgery with a balance of open, laparoscopic, and robotic procedures.

Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Rotation

Residents rotate on this unique rotation during the first three years of their residency training. Residents are an integral part of the transplant team, leading a multi-disciplinary inpatient team comprised of transplant nephrology, transplant pharmacy, social work, and transplant surgeons. Residents assist with both living and deceased donor transplants and have the opportunity to participate in organ procurements as well. Transplant procedures are solely performed at the main campus location. 

Call

PGY	Call
2	5-6 days/month
3	4-5 days/month
4	No Call (Research Year)
5	1 day/month
6	At home Chief Resident Call

*Call overview for in-house Main Campus call. Regional sites are home call.

Residents participate in education at least twice a week through a series of didactics, which include a weekly chief resident/core-urology curriculum conference, patient management conference, urodynamics conference, oncology journal club, urologic oncology indications conference. The education schedule also includes a monthly journal club, morbidity and mortality review, interdisciplinary oncology conference, and quality and patient safety conference.

Academic Leaders

Cleveland Clinic Urology Residency graduates finish with a diverse set of skills that facilitate successful careers in academia and practice. During the last 10 years, two-thirds of our residents have pursued competitive fellowships, with half of all graduates going on to academic careers. The academic environment in the Department of Urology fosters career development among future leaders in urology, as exemplified by recent graduates going on to fellowship training at institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, National Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Northwestern University, Mayo Clinic, Vanderbilt University, New York University, University of Toronto, and many more.

Resident Resources

Residents are supported through graduate medical education and departmental funding to attend meetings at which they have research projects accepted for presentation. Additionally, there is funding available to provide both academic and operative resources that facilitate resident education. Second year residents and chief residents also receive support to attend a didactic course each year.

Through Cleveland Clinic’s Educational Institute and in collaboration with surrounding academic institutions, highly motived residents have many opportunities to expand their professional expertise beyond that obtained in residency. These optional programs, for which limited tuition assistance is available from the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, are offered to interested residents beginning in the Research and Academic Skills Year (4th) and include:

• Clinical Research Scholars Program (CRSP)
  This program, offered at Case Western Reserve University, is a flexible program designed to provide MDs and PhDs in health-related disciplines with rigorous didactic education in clinical research methods coupled with an in-depth mentored investigative experience.
• More information is available from Case Western Reserve University's program page
• Cleveland Clinic Learning Academy (CCLA)
  CCLA is a tuition-free institutional program offering courses designed to enhance competency in key leadership skills, including business and change management, communication, emotional intelligence, finance, professionalism, strategic thinking/planning and talent development. Also available are specialty coursework series in diversity, inclusion and cultural competence, healthcare communication, and quality and patient safety/continuous improvement.
• Find information about these programs

Masters Degrees Available

Several other Master’s-level programs are also available, including:

• Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management (Baldwin Wallace University and Ursuline College)
• Masters of Public Health (Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University)
• Master of Positive Organizational Development (Case Western Reserve University)
• Master of Adult Education and Development (Cleveland State University)
• Executive Master of Business Administration in Ethical and Entrepreneurial Leadership (Ursuline College)

Information on these programs is available on the offering institutions’ websites.

Research and Academic Skills Year

The fourth year of residency is devoted exclusively to protected time to pursue both research endeavors and building of academic skills. During this year, residents have no clinical and only limited call responsibilities. They are devoted full time to a faculty-mentored project or projects in basic, translational or health services research. The academic skills curriculum is geared toward strengthening resident knowledge and skills on topics including manuscript preparation, grant writing, and presentations.

Basic and Translational Research Opportunities

Lerner Research Institute

The Lerner Research Institute is a complex of laboratories, classrooms, libraries and multimedia centers, has been designed to provide a dynamic center for Cleveland Clinic’s research and education activities. The Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute has several basic research laboratories where residents develop their scientific skills during the 12 months of the fourth year. These include:

• The Novick Center for Clinical and Translational Research facilitates interaction between researchers and clinicians across the departments of nephrology and urology. It also seeks to promote clinical and translational research and to help assure compliance with all federal and institutional regulations. The center allows for the necessary and efficient pooling of resources within the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute. Staff members work closely with the Lerner Research Institute to ensure regulations and mandates are followed and to review existing and future clinical studies for soundness, budget and required resources. The Novick Center also provides easy access to bio statistical support for study design, analysis and reporting.
• The Center for Male Fertility is performing extensive studies on protein expression and reactive oxygen species formation in human sperm and their role in male infertility. Additional areas of investigation include assessment of human sperm function after cryopreservation and methods of improving post-thaw semen quality in cancer patients.
• The Center for Pelvic Medicine and Surgery Laboratories (Margot S. Damaser, PhD) is recognized nationally as an elite group focused on characterizing the regulatory mechanisms of benign bladder conditions and pelvic floor injury and repair. Areas of investigation include biomechanical properties of the bladder and pelvic floor, diabetic cystopathy, inflammatory diseases of the bladder, and stem cell homing after pelvic injury.
• The Minimally Invasive and Robotic Research Laboratory is focused on identifying new minimally invasive and noninvasive treatments for urologic disease and transferring these technologies to the operating room. Research areas include intraoperative imaging techniques, transcutaneous CT- and ultrasound-guided surgery, and development of new laparoscopic technologies.
• The Transplant Research Group performs studies in basic science mechanisms of graft injury and acceptance using mouse models and studies in immune monitoring of kidney transplant patients for risk of acute and chronic rejection. Current basic science studies by the members of the group include investigating the impact of memory CD4 and CD8 T cells on allograft outcome. Also, we’re investigating strategies to improve the efficacy of ATG. The translational studies are focused on the activation of donor-reactive memory CD8 T cells, the development of improvements in the ELISPOT assay for immune monitoring, use of NanoString technology for non-invasive interrogation of markers indicating acute and/or chronic kidney graft injury. Also, we’re investigating the phenotype and activation capability of T and B lymphocytes in patients that currently have kidney graft survival and good function for more than 30 years.

Current Research Residents

The PGY 4 year of residency is devoted exclusively to research endeavors and building of academic skills. During this year, residents have protected time and are free of clinical and call responsibilities. They are devoted full time to a faculty-mentored research project, as well as to assisting in departmental quality improvement endeavors, as well as educating the medical students, surgery interns, and junior urology residents through lab-based and didactic sessions.

• Sonia Cornier Martinez, MD
  Research: Pudendal Nerve Regeneration via novel wireless bioresorbable electrodes for stress urinary incontinence management
  Principal Investigator(s): Margot Damaser, PhD
• Michael Gross, MD
  Research: Expanding use of catheter-free ambulatory cystometry (UroMonitor) to malepatients
  Principal Investigator(s): Margot Damaser, PhD
• Eiftu Haile, MD
  Research:  Answering Clinical Queries in Urologic Oncology Using A Large-Scale Cancer Database. Renal Parenchymal Volume Analysis in Standard v. Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy. Borderline Renal Function and Sarcopenia: Associations for Patients UndergoingRadical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer
  Principal Investigator(s): Robert Abouassaly, MD; Sri Sivalingam, MD; Nima Almassi, MD
• Ross Liao, MD
  Research: Identifying Genetic/Epigenetic Drivers and Lineage-Defining Pioneer Factors in theTransdifferentiation and Maintenance of Neuroendocrine Bladder Cancer using a Novel
  Orthotopic Murine Model
  Principal Investigator(s): Omar Mian, MD
• Jason Scovell, MD, PhD
  Research: Identifying Novel pVHL Dependent Drivers Critical for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Oncogenesis
  Principal Investigator(s): Abhishek Chakraborty, PhD
  
   

Research Laboratories

Throughout your residency, the following lab rotations are available:

• Angiogenesis Laboratory
  Director: Tatiana V. Byzova, PhD
  This laboratory is a leader in the area of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Research Program in the lab focuses on the mechanisms of tumor metastasis. Areas of investigations include: tumor angiogenesis, role for circulating tumor cells and their diagnostic value for predicting outcome in prostate and kidney cancer patients, mechanisms of cancer-induced thrombosis, role of circulating platelets in metastasis, discovery of new biomarkers for kidney and prostate cancer.
• Kidney Stones Laboratory
  Director: Aaron Miller, PhD
  This laboratory is focused on the interactions between the microbiome and urolithiasis. The research program in the lab consists in vitro, in vivo, and clinical arms to explore oxalate metabolism by complex microbial communities, host-microbe interactions associated with oxalate, and the application of high-throughput, multi-omics methods in the development of bacteriotherapies designed to inhibit recurrent stone formation and its complications.
• Pelvic Medicine and Surgery Laboratories
  Director: Margot Damaser, PhD
  This laboratory is recognized nationally as an elite group focused on characterizing the regulatory mechanisms of benign bladder conditions and pelvic floor injury and repair. Areas of investigation include biomechanical properties of the bladder and pelvic floor, diabetic cystopathy, inflammatory diseases of the bladder, and stem cell homing after pelvic injury.
• Urothelial Cancer Laboratory
  The Urothelial Cancer Laboratory is focused on understanding how chromatin modifier gene mutations affect urothelial carcinoma initiation, progression, and response to therapy. Chromatin modifiers genes are mutated in the vast majority of urothelial carcinomas. They encode proteins that can alter the configuration of the DNA-histone interface, and mutations in these genes can potentially cause changes in gene expression that support carcinogenesis. Our research utilizes both in vitro and in vivo models of chromatin modifier gene disruption to ascertain its functional consequence in the urothelium. Additionally, we are involved in a number of urothelial carcinoma translational and clinical research projects that utilize the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute’s infrastructure for tissue collection and clinical database management.

Prostate Cancer Laboratories

• Director: Hannelore Heemers, PhD
  Our laboratory's research program focuses on generating insights into the specific molecular mechanisms by which the androgen receptor drives prostate cancer progression. The long term goal of our group is to develop novel prostate cancer-selective forms of androgen deprivation therapy and to optimize and personalize the administration of available forms of androgen deprivation therapy. These goals are pursues through 2 lines of research that study coregulator-dependent direct mechanisms of androgen action and an SRF-dependent indirect mechanism of androgen action. Central to our research efforts are integrated approaches that combine an understanding of the basic mechanism of androgen-dependent gene transcription, systems biology approaches designed to answer specific questions, and clinical relevance of our research findings.

Institute Leadership

Georges-Pascal Haber, MD, PhD

Department Chair

Steven Campbell, MD, PhD

Department Vice Chair

Kenneth Angermeier, MD

Center Director

Drogo Montague, MD

Staff

Sarah Vij, MD

Staff

Awards & Scholarships

Cleveland Clinic Urology Diversity Scholarship

The Cleveland Clinic Department of Urology is working to further enhance its environment of inclusion and diversity where all are valued and respected. The Cleveland Clinic believes that a diverse clinical workforce is necessary to meet the needs of underrepresented communities and to allow us to reach our full potential. The promotion of cultural diversity and inclusion is a pillar of the Cleveland Clinic value system.

As an important part of residency recruitment initiatives, we are focused on developing a diverse generation of future health care leaders. The Cleveland Clinic Urology Diversity Scholarship is designed to help facilitate the participation of under-represented minorities in our Urology visiting clerkships to expose students to the exceptional training the Cleveland Clinic has to offer, and to allow candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their potential during a 4 week rotation.

To be eligible for this scholarship, medical students must be in good standing at a US medical school (outside of Northeast Ohio), and completed USMLE Step 1. The definition of underrepresented minorities will be the same as that recognized by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) as it relates to the US population.

Two Scholarships for the amount of $2,500 will be available to support the chosen medical student for rotation with us during July or August of each academic year. This funding can be used to cover application, travel, housing, and other costs.

If you are interested in being considered for the Cleveland Clinic Urology Diversity Scholarship please send the following documents to UrologyResidency@ccf.org.

1. CV (include USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 [if applicable] Scores)
2. Personal statement or letter of interest
3. One letter of recommendation from a clinical faculty member

Are you an out-of-state medical student that would like to learn more about our program or participate in an away rotation with us? If so, please reach out via email to UrologyResidency@ccf.org.

2022 - 2023 Award Recipients	Award
Shree Agrawal, MD	2023 Genitourinary Society and IVUMed supported Mission Trip to Rwanda 2023 Top 10 abstract Engineering Urological Society at AUA 2023 SUFU Resident Travel Award 2022 Best Moderated Poster Award – Societe d’International Urologie 2022 Societe d’International Urologie Resident Travel Award
Kristina Dortche, MD	2023 Alumni Association Graduate Level-One Award
Michael Gross, MD	2023 Poster of Distinction at American Transplant Congress
Eiftu Haile, MD	2023 Housestaff Professional Development Grant
Shelbey Harper, MD	2023 Best Bizarre and Interesting Case at OUS
Daniel Hettel, MD	2022 Urology Practice Most Impactful Article
Stacy Jeong, MD	2023 Best Podium Presentation at OUS
Kevin Lewis, MD	CCLCM Outstanding House Staff Preceptor for 3rd Year Medical Students
Patrick Michael, MD	2023 Poster of Distinction at American Transplant Congress
Bryan Naelitz, MD	CCLCM Outstanding House Staff Preceptor for 3rd Year Medical Students
Paul Oh, MD	SUPS/SMNA Surgical Lab. Selected to attend 2022 prosthetics surgical lab
Rathika Ramkumar, MD	2022-2023 Cleveland Clinic Robotic Skills Champion 2022-2023 Northeast Ohio Robotic Skills Champion
Jason Scovell, MD	2022 Urology Practice Most Impact
Ayo Sotimehin, MD	2022 SUFU Resident Travel Award
Glenn Werneburg, MD	2023 SUFU Resident Travel Award 2023 Urinary Tract Infection Global Alliance Travel Award 2023 Second place abstract at Annual Patient Safety Day 2023 Swiss Continence Foundation Award Jury Member 2023 Crile Traveling Research Fellowship Award. For the visitation and observation of clinical and research practice of Dr. Thomas Kessler, Balgrist University Hospital and University of Zurich 2023 Diokno-Lapides Award Grand Price Appointed to the Editorial Board of Neuro-Urology and Urodynamics Journal Elected to the Board of the International Neuro-Urology Society as Next-Generation Officer
Jason Scovell, Daniel Hettel, Robert Abouassaly, Nima Almassi, Ryan Berglund, Todd Breaux, Christopher Weight, Wahib Isac, Anna Zampini, Elizabeth Stark, Robert Rochelle, Aimee Kestranek, Mark Stovsky, and Eric Klein	2022 Urology Practice Most Impactful Article

Residents

Chief Residents

Daniel Gerber, MD
Hometown: Chicago IL
Undergraduate: Colgate University
Medical School: Georgetown University
Academic Interests: Oncology, robotics, endourology
Hobbies: Golf, hiking, ultimate frisbee, my dogs
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Terrestrial Brewing
Twitter Handle: @danger_ber

Daniel Hettel, MD
Hometown:  Whitehouse, Ohio
Undergraduate: University of Toledo
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Academic Interests: Urologic oncology
Hobbies: Golf, working out
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Cleveland restaurant scene/East 4th
Twitter Handle: @DanHettel

Kevin Lewis, MD, MA
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate: Northwestern University 
Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Genitourinary reconstructive surgery, global and public health, and clinical bioethics 
Hobbies: Triathlons, playing with my dogs, backpacking, and traveling 
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Biking through the Metropark trails
Twitter Handle: @KLewisMD

Glenn T. Werneburg, MD, PhD
Hometown: Hicksville, NY
Undergraduate: Stony Brook University
Medical School: Stony Brook University
Academic Interests: Molecular mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of urologic infection
Hobbies: Running, traveling, oenology
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: West Side Market, Phunkenship
Twitter Handle: @gwerneburg

Ao Zhang, MD
Hometown: Sichuan, China
Undergraduate: Tsinghua University
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Academic Interests: urological oncology, basic science urology research
Hobbies: Hiking
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Twitter Handle: @AoZhangUro

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5th Year Residents

Shree Agrawal, MD
Hometown: Edison, NJ
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Reconstructive urology, congenitalism, urologic cancer survivorship, medical and surgical education
Hobbies: Blogging, Orange Theory Fitness, cooking, and exploring the Cleveland food scene
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: The Flats near the Cuyahoga river, Cleveland Metroparks and local farmers’ markets
Twitter Handle: @ShreeAgrawal21

Madison Lyon, MD
Hometown: San Diego, CA  
Undergraduate: UCLA
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Surfing, cooking, snuggling my dog, hiking, harvesting veggies from my garden, pelotoning, and traveling
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Rocky River Reservation - paddle boarding, lake swimming, long bike rides, river-side walks all in one
Twitter Handle: @Madison_Lyon_MD

Patrick Michael, MD
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate: Auburn University
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Academic Interests: Urologic oncology, transplant, public health, public policy, healthcare outcomes
Hobbies: Auburn football, Kentucky basketball, watching movies, spending time with friends and family, audiobooks while cooking or running, drinking KY bourbon, and reading about Abraham Lincoln
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Maddie's house, Masthead, West 25th
Twitter Handle: @patmichael93

Paul Oh, MD
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
Undergraduate: Princeton University
Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
Academic Interests: Urologic oncology, infertility, microsurgery, robotics, surgical innovation 
Hobbies: Gym, DC sports, music
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Anywhere when it’s summer
Twitter Handle: @DoctorPaulOhMD

Ayodeji Sotimehin, MD
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Undergraduate: Emory University 
Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Robotic surgery, oncology, endourology, healthcare disparities in urology
Hobbies: Traveling, cooking, racket sports, kayaking, scootering, biking, relaxing
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Wendy Park, Edgewater Pier, E 55th St Marina Park, Maddie’s House
Twitter Handle: @AyodejiSotimeh1

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4th Year Residents

Sonia Cornier Martinez, MD
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Undergraduate: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus
Medical School: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus
Academic Interests: Female pelvic reconstruction, incontinence, endourology
Hobbies: Dog mom to Mila, foodie, new to hiking

Michael Gross, MD
Hometown: Huntington, NY
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Medical School: Stony Brook School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Prostate cancer diagnosis and epidemiology, partial gland ablation, administrative and claims-based data research, urodynamics and renal transplantation.
Hobbies: Cooking, skiing, choral music, The New York Times crossword, and travel
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Lakefront Nature Preserve
Twitter Handle: @grossmedicine

Eiftu Haile, MD
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, IL
Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Rush Medical College
Academic Interests: Racial disparities in urologic surgery, prostate cancer, post-prostate cancer surgery outcomes
Hobbies: Beach volleyball, hiking, trying out new restaurants
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Downtown restaurant scene
Twitter Handle: @eiftu

Ross Liao, MD
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Urologic oncology, prostate cancer biology, upper tract urothelial carcinoma
Hobbies: Tennis, table tennis, running, cookingl
Favorite Spot in Cleveland:Mentor Headlands, West Side Market, Edgewater Park 
Twitter Handle: @rossliao

Jason Scovell, MD
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergraduate: Baylor University
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Academic Interests: I am currently interested in kidney cancer and hope to one day improve survival for patients with this disease. I am also passionate about male infertility and reproductive health
Hobbies: Golfing, hiking, and spending time with my wife and two hyperactive but wonderful dogs
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: The Metroparks!
Twitter Handle: @JasonScovell

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3rd Year Residents

Shelby Harper, MD
Hometown: Waco, Texas
Undergraduate: Wesleyan University
Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Education & mentorship, all things urology, basic science research (particularly interested in inflammation)
Hobbies: Lots of running, baking to offset all the running, hiking, reading, spending time with my fiancé and golden retriever
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Cleveland Metroparks
Twitter Handle: @ShelbyUro

 

Annalise Ionson, MD
Hometown: Welland, Ontario, Canada
Undergraduate: Princeton University
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Sexual health, reconstruction, medical education, health equity, quality improvement, patient-reported outcomes 
Hobbies: Thrift shopping, hiking/running, road-biking, hunting (for donuts), patio season, cuddling dogs
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Cleveland Metroparks, especially North Chagrin (still discovering all 24,0000 acres of them!), Mitchell’s
Twitter Handle: @AnnalieseIonson

Bryan Naelitz, MD
Hometown: Amherst, Ohio
Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Academic Interests: Andrology, male fertility, urologic oncology, hormonal drivers of urologic malignancies
Hobbies: Running, Exploring Cleveland MetroParks, Hiking, Reading The New Yorker
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Cultural Gardens
Twitter Handle: @BlitzUro

Kassandra Zaila Ardines, MD
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Undergraduate: Hamilton College
Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Academic Interests: Andrology, GU reconstruction, DEI initiatives and medical education
Hobbies: Charcuterie boards, dog mom to Cooper
Twitter Handle: @ZailaKassandra

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2nd Year Residents

Mahmoud Abou Zeinab, MD
Hometown: Saida, Lebanon
Undergraduate: Lebanese American University
Medical School: LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Minimally invasive surgery, urologic oncology, education, innovation, research
Hobbies: Tennis, travel, family, exploring nature
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Lakewood Park, Mitchell’s Ice Cream
Twitter Handle: @mabouzeinab

Kristina Dortche, MD
Hometown: New Haven, Connecticut
Undergraduate: UCONN
Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Pediatric urology, equitable healthcare in medicine, AI-based healthcare tool outcomes
Hobbies: Sleeping (former hobby), building IKEA furniture, visiting botanical gardens,photography, traveling
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Luca!

Stacy Jeong, MD
Hometown: San Jose, California
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Reconstructive urology, medical education
Hobbies: Cooking/eating/baking/thinking about food in general, visiting all the Cleveland breweries, historical fiction, fitness
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Mitchell's, Lakewood Steps, Zhug...the list goes on
Twitter Handle: @stacyjeong1

Saveliy Kelebeyev, MD
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Undergraduate: Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College
Medical School: Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Academic Interests: All things urology, education, research, innovation
Hobbies: Basketball, football, painting, dancing, trying new food, traveling
Twitter Handle: @SavKeleb

Jacob Knoor, MD
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Academic Interests: Bladder cancer, surgical health disparities, device innovation
Hobbies: Rec league soccer, grilling, breweries, anything with my dog Leo
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Literary Tavern, the Tremont neighborhood
Twitter Handle: @jacobknorr10

Sean McSweeney, MD
Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Academic Interests: Urologic oncology, prostate cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, robotics
Hobbies: Working out, live music, Packer and Badger football, good food, reading, spending time with loved ones
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: West Side Market, Cleveland Botanical Garden
Twitter Handle: @SeanTMcSweeney

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1st Year Residents

Eulalia Amador, MD 
Hometown: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Undergraduate: Universidad Catolica De Santiago De Guayaquil
Medical School: Universidad Catolica De Santiago De Guayaquil
Academic Interests: All things urology, global health
Hobbies: Baking, cooking, embroidery, growing house plants, and hiking the metroparks with my dogs
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: West Side Market

Prajit Khooblall, MD
Hometown: Canfield, Ohio
Undergraduate: Youngstown State University
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Academic Interests: Device innovation, urologic oncology, endourology, medical education
Hobbies: Soccer, tennis, video games, admiring small dogs
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Edgewater Park
Twitter Handle: @prajstatectomy

Julie Klock, MD 
Hometown: River Forest, IL
Undergraduate: University of Chicago
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Academic Interests: All things urology, surgical outcomes, medical/surgical education
Hobbies: Running, tennis, cycling, cooking
Favorite Spot in Cleveland: Edgewater Park
Twitter Handle: @urolojulie

Sydney Narveson, MD
Hometown: Rosemount, Minnesota
Undergraduate: University of Minnesota
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Academic Interests: Quality improvement, human factors engineering, medical education, healthcare disparities
Hobbies: Cooking (& eating), reading, watching Minnesota sports, card games
Twitter Handle: @SydneyNarveson

Sina Soltanzadeh Zarandi, MD
Hometown: Tehran, Iran
Undergraduate: University of California, Davis
Medical School: University of California, Irvine
Academic Interests: Advanced robotic urological surgery, andrology, and medical device development
Hobbies: Stand-up comedy, squash, and supporting Arsenal  Favorite Spot in Cleveland: West Side Market
Twitter Handle: @sszarandi

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Past Residents

Name	Fellowship	Current Position
Pedram Aram (2023)		Faculty, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
Rebecca Campbell (2023)	Urologic Oncology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic
Maxx Caveney (2023)		Facult, Urology Partners of North Texas, Fort Work Texas
Brendan Frainey (2023)	Pediatric Fellowship, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Rathika Ramkumar (2023)		Private Practice, California
Diego Aguilar Palacios (2022)		Faculty, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, Texas
Darren Bryk (2022)	Andrology Fellowship, University of Virgina
Michele "Mike" Fascelli (2022)	Gender Reaffirming Surgical Fellowship, Oregon Health & Sciences University	Faculty, Cleveland Clinic
Sij Hemal (2022)	Minimally Invasive Urological Surgery Fellowship, University of Southern California
Prithvi Murthy (2022)	Urologic Oncology Fellowship, Moffitt Cancer Center
Molly DeWitt Foy (2021)	Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, University of Minnesota	Faculty, Cleveland Clinic
Kyle Ericson (2021)		Faculty, University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio
Scott Lundy (2021)	Male Infertility/Andrology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic	Faculty, Cleveland Clinic
Anup Shah (2021)		Community Practice
JJ Haijing Zhang (2021)	Urologic Oncology Fellowship, UCLA
Daniel Sun (2020)		Community Practice, San Francisco
Andrew Nguyen (2020)		Clinical Faculty, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Abhinav Khanna (2020)	Urologic Oncology Fellowship, Mayo Clinic	Faculty, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Alice Crane (2020)	Transplant Fellowship, Maryland
Ben Abelson (2020)	Pediatric Fellowship, Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee	Community Practice, Phoenix, Arizona
Anna Zampini (2019)	Endourology Fellowship, Mt. Sinai, New York	Faculty, Cleveland Clinic
Nitin Yerram (2019)	Oncology Fellowship, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland	Faculty, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Andrew Y. Sun (2019)	Andrology and Male Infertility Fellowship, UCLA - Los Angeles, California	Private Practice, Methodist Health System, Dallas, Texas
Paurush Babbar (2019)	Male Reconstruction Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio	Private Practice, The Urology Group, Cincinnati, Ohio
Hans Arora (2019)	Pediatric Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago at Northwestern, IL	Faculty, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Yaw Nyame (2018)	Urologic Oncology, University of Washington, Washington	Faculty, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Bryan Hinck (2018)		Faculty, University of Minnesota
Daniel Greene (2018)		Private Practice, Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, California
Bradley Gill (2018)		Faculty, Cleveland Clinic
Nima Almassi (2018)	Urologic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York	Faculty, Cleveland Clinic
Sam Haywood (2017)	Oncology Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York	Faculty, Cleveland Clinic
Iryna Makovey Crescenze (2017)	Female and Reconstructive Urology Fellowship, University of Michigan, Michigan	Faculty, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
Chad Reichard (2017)	Oncology Fellowship, MD Anderson, Texas	Private Practice, Urology of Indiana, Greenwood, Indiana
Christine Tran (2017)		Private Practice, Northern Virginia
Sarah Vij (2017)	Male Infertility and Andrology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio	Faculty, Cleveland Clinic
Benjamin Cohen (2016)		Private Practice, Baltimore, Maryland
Juan Jimenez (2016)		Private Practice, Cleveland, Ohio
Ganesh Kartha (2016)		Private Practice, Louisville, Kentucky
Catherine Seager (2016)	Pediatric Urology Fellowship, Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts	Faculty, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
Raman Unnikrishnan (2016)		Private Practice, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Chris Brede (2015)		Private Practice, Michigan
Kiranpreet Khurana (2015)	Male Reconstructive and Andrology/Infertility, New York University, New York	Private Practice, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Pennsylvania
Greg Lieser (2015)		Private Practice, Texas
Ben Larson (2015)		Private Practice, California
Karin Westesson (2015)		Private Practice, Montana
Kevin Chandler (2014)		Private Practice, New York
Brandon Isaryawongse (2014)		Private Practice, California
Devon Snow (2014)	Pediatric Urology, Chicago Children’s Hospital/ Northwestern University	Private Practice, Swedish Medical Center-First Hill, Issaquah, Washington
Ina Wu (2014)		Faculty, University of Nebraska
Yuka Yamaguchi (2014)	Male Reconstruction and Andrology/Infertility, New York University	Private Practice, Sutter Health, Palo Alto, California

Featured Resident

A Year of Experiences in Reconstructive Urology in Rwanda and Beyond

Shree Agrawal, MD

I completed my undergraduate and medical education in Cleveland, Ohio at Case Western Reserve University. During that time, as I learned and interacted with faculty and trainees at Cleveland Clinic, I became inspired by the mission of Cleveland Clinic to put patients first. As I transitioned to applying to residency, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the cutting edge approaches and passion for advancing urologic care within the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute. Being able to train here as a resident has exceeded my expectations and has been a profoundly rewarding experience. I have felt supported in my academic, surgical, and global health pursuits, as I found my passion for genitourinary reconstruction and genitourinary cancer survivorship.

As a research resident, I had the opportunity to participate in an IVUMed mission trip co-sponsored with the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons in Kigali, Rwanda in my research year. I was able work with my mentor, Dr. Hadley Wood, a Cleveland Clinic alumnae and genitourinary reconstructive surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, who has previously facilitated workshops with IVUMed in Kigali, Rwanda. With her encouragement and the support of my department, I was able to travel to Kigali for one week and work alongside residents and faculty at CHUK – The University Teaching Hospital of Kigali. We worked with two additional reconstructive urologists, Drs. Liem Snyder and Frank Burks, as well to serve the patients and surgeons in Rwanda. We partnered with surgeons across the country in Rwanda and performed pre-selected complex reconstructive cases, teaching different approaches and peri-operative management strategies. We primarily focused on post-traumatic pelvic fracture urethral injuries, complex urethroplasties, congenital and transitional urology, and urologic fistulae management. Through the IVUMed mission of “Teach One, Reach Many”, we were able to engage surgeons in the techniques required for genitourinary reconstruction with many feeling comfortable with independently managing more complex conditions.

Working shoulder to shoulder with fellow trainees in Rwanda and finding kinship with the faculty was a cherished personal experience. The team in Rwanda demonstrated the same commitment to putting their patients first and in serving the best urologic care to their growing patient population. With only 10 urologists in the country, they were eager to grow and develop their field and skillset. I felt I learned even more from our colleagues abroad about resilience and approaches to care in a resource-poor environment. In the challenging moments in the operating room, we learned how to repurpose surgical tools and find creative solutions. In my current and previous experiences abroad, I returned appreciating the tools we have at our disposal to treat our patients.

The relationships we developed with the staff in Rwanda were meaningful for both of our teams. There was a deep appreciation for the resources and time we shared in performing and teaching reconstructive cases. I felt so grateful for the opportunity to serve another patient population and to play a small part in developing a urologic program. After attending this workshop as a resident, I am eager to continue my involvement with IVUMed throughout my career.  I found this experience to be reinvigorating for my approach to clinical care. It prompted me to be intentional about resource utilization, find innovative alternatives to peri-operative problems, and learn how to better address global health disparities.

In addition to this global experience during this past year, I was able to receive the Cleveland Clinic George and Grace Crile Traveling Fellowship Award, which facilitated an observership elective at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to better understand the barriers and strategies in providing longitudinal genitourinary cancer survivorship care. This dedicated time to understand how to implement a cancer survivorship program was invaluable. These combined experiences reaffirmed my desire to apply for a genitourinary reconstructive fellowship this year with a focus on implementing a novel approach patient-centered cancer survivorship care.

I truly appreciate the opportunities I have been supported in and sponsored for by the Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute in my personal and professional endeavors. I would not be the urologist I am today without the experiences throughout my training at Cleveland Clinic. I am excited for what lies ahead as I continue my residency and beyond!

Living in Cleveland

Cleveland, an ethnically diverse mid-sized city located on Lake Erie, features a host of cultural and recreational attractions. Cleveland Clinic is located near the University Circle area, which is the major cultural center in Cleveland. This area also features the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art, several other museums, and Case Western Reserve University. Downtown Cleveland is approximately 2 miles from the Cleveland Clinic campus.

• Learn more about the city we call home

Interview Dates

Important Dates

Monday, November 13, 2023
Cleveland Clinic Urology Residency Program—Virtual Interviews

Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Cleveland Clinic Urology Residency Program—Virtual Interviews

Monday, December 4, 2023
Cleveland Clinic Urology Residency Program—Virtual Interviews

Monday, December 11, 2023
Cleveland Clinic Urology Residency Program—Virtual Interviews