University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program

The Pediatric Urology Fellowship at the University of California, San Diego, in collaboration with Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, offers a comprehensive two-year, ACGME-accredited program dedicated to developing proficient pediatric urologists. The program is designed to immerse fellows in clinical practice and research, ensuring a well-rounded education and training experience.

About the Fellowship

The fellowship consists of two intensive years focusing on all aspects of clinical pediatric urology alongside residents from UCSD and the Navy. Most clinical activities occur at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego (RCHSD), a facility recognized as one of the top pediatric urology departments in the nation for consecutive years by US News & World Report 1.

Year One

The first year provides a rigorous clinical experience that encompasses the full spectrum of operative and inpatient pediatric urology. Fellows will have hands-on involvement in various clinical activities, including a multidisciplinary clinic for spinal defects that takes place two half days monthly. Each week, fellows are allotted a full research day to initiate clinical research projects.

The fellows are responsible for managing urology services and supervising the activities of residents. They will also lead weekly conferences to enhance their leadership and teaching skills. In the latter half of the year, participation in the Clinical Research Enhancement through Supplemental Training (CREST) program begins, equipping fellows with essential skills in clinical research, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, and grant writing.

Year Two

The second year focuses on expanding clinical practice experience with increased independence while still providing necessary supervision. Each fellow will manage their own designated clinic and take on operative cases that stem from their clinic activities. Additionally, fellows are expected to produce at least two research manuscripts during this year, leveraging designated research days for project development.

The continued participation in the CREST program fosters the completion of ongoing research inquiries and meeting ACGME training needs. A quality improvement project also needs to be accomplished during this period as part of the Inquiry program requirements.

Conference Schedule

Fellows engage in a robust conference schedule that includes:

• Pre-operative conferences
• Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conferences
• Journal Club
• Uroradiology discussions
• Uropathology reviews
• Pediatric ground rounds
• Research meetings

Application Requirements

To apply, candidates must complete the Universal Pediatric Urology Fellowship Application Form. Strong candidates are typically those with demonstrated interests in pediatric urology through research or clinical experience. Special application requirements may include specific residency training backgrounds and academic performance metrics. It is vital for applicants to familiarize themselves with the program's expectations and requirements.

Visa Support

The fellowship program provides visa support for international medical graduates and can sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas. This enables qualified international applicants to gain valuable training and experience within the U.S. healthcare system while advancing their careers in pediatric urology.

Competitiveness

The Pediatric Urology Fellowship at UC San Diego is competitive, attracting a diverse group of applicants, including DO graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). The selection committee typically reviews each application thoroughly, evaluating the candidate's clinical experience, research involvement, and personal statements to identify those who will achieve success in the field of pediatric urology.

Current Fellows and Alumni

The program has a notable history of alumni who are currently shaping the future of pediatric urology in various prestigious institutions across the country. This network of fellows provides excellent mentorship and often leads to collaborative opportunities in the specialty 2.