Lahey Clinic Program

The Urology Residency Program at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center is an extensive 5-year training curriculum designed for three residents each year. This program trains residents in various sub-specialties, integrating clinical experiences with comprehensive educational offerings. Located in Burlington, Massachusetts, approximately 17 miles northwest of Boston, this program benefits from the proximity to a rich educational and medical environment.

The residency is structured around clinical rotations in hospitals that feature both outpatient clinics and operating rooms. This design allows residents to engage actively in patient evaluations, operative procedures, post-operative care, and hospital follow-ups. Training is further enhanced by the newly renovated emergency department, which sees over 40,000 visits annually, providing a diverse range of cases for residents.

Training and Rotations

The Urology Residency spans five clinical years, each with specific rotations designed to ensure progressively greater responsibility in patient care:

• PGY-1 (Internship): Interns rotate through urology, general surgery, surgical ICU, and other subspecialties, with six months dedicated to urology service and six months to general surgery and other specialties.
• PGY-2 (Junior Resident): Focuses on basic urology, with six months spent in research and six months at Lahey Hospital. This year is pivotal for developing skills in endoscopy and robotics.
• PGY-3 (Junior Resident): Residents engage with more complex endoscopic procedures and gain additional community practice experience through rotations at Winchester Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.
• PGY-4 (Senior Resident): Majority of training occurs at Lahey focusing on pelvic and advanced reconstructive surgery, with two months at Winchester Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.
• PGY-5 (Chief Resident): As chief residents, they refine major operative skills and supervise junior residents, receiving an immersive experience in surgical education.

Curriculum and Educational Opportunities

The educational component is robust, including at least 50 scheduled conferences monthly in subjects from morbidity and mortality to surgical grand rounds. The Richard B. Cattell Memorial Library supports resident education with over 1,500 textbooks, 180 journal titles, and Tufts University resources available online. Residents benefit from hands-on training in the Surgical Simulation Center, which emphasizes robotic and laparoscopic techniques.

Research and Mentoring

Research is a critical aspect of the residency with residents encouraged to participate in various projects. Each resident is matched with a mentor, facilitating support in both educational and psychosocial aspects. This mentoring relationship is critical to developing both personal and professional skills.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The program emphasizes a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within clinical and educational environments. There are initiatives to ensure the workforce reflects the diversity of the surrounding community, promoting healthcare equity and cultural competency among residents.

Application Process and Requirements

Lahey's Urology Residency has specific application requirements designed for assessing a broad pool of candidates fairly. Applications should be submitted via the ERAS system and must include:

• Completed ERAS application form
• Curriculum vitae with personal goals
• Dean's letter
• Three letters of recommendation
• Medical school transcript
• USMLE Step 1 and 2 scores

Interviews are typically held in person and are a critical aspect of the selection process.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program sponsors J-1 visas for international medical graduates, making it an attractive option for DO and IMG applicants. The residency is known to be highly competitive, selecting only three residents each year from a large applicant pool.

Residents at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center gain a comprehensive education and clinical training, preparing them for successful careers in urology and its subspecialties.