University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Program

The mission of the UT Southwestern Urology residency program is to match exemplary physician-graduates from diverse backgrounds while providing an educational experience that cultivates highly skilled, knowledgeable, compassionate, and resilient urologists. The program prepares residents to lead and excel in patient care, service, education, and research. A balanced approach is adopted to ensure graduated clinical responsibilities alongside faculty supervision, organized conferences, and mentored research opportunities. Residents benefit from comprehensive surgical training, working with renowned specialists in urology subspecialties.

Approximately 50% of program graduates pursue additional fellowship training, while the others enter the workforce as general urologists. Residents receive ample opportunities to develop clinical and surgical skills in a supervised environment, fostering independence and confidence.

Residents experience diverse clinical rotations across various hospital settings, enhancing their exposure to complex urological conditions from various socioeconomic backgrounds throughout North Texas. Key training institutions include:

• William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital
• Children’s Medical Center Dallas
• Parkland Health and Hospital System
• John Peter Smith Hospital
• Dallas VA Medical Center

This variety ensures that residents can thrive post-training by offering a rich blend of experiences in high-volume and busy tertiary care environments.

PGY-1 Year

The first year encompasses an internship that combines six months in urology with training in general surgery and surgical subspecialties, including trauma and ICU. Basic surgical skill development is facilitated at the UT Southwestern Simulation Center.

PGY-2 Year

The second year emphasizes diagnostic skills in urology, including endoscopy and ultrasound techniques, with practical experiences provided through rotations at multiple facilities such as Children’s Medical Center and Parkland.

PGY-3 Year

Residents gain exposure to various surgical techniques, including open and robotic surgeries, with rotations encompassing the VA Medical Center and John Peter Smith Hospital. The curriculum includes outpatient blocks aimed at enhancing specific urology interests, coupled with mandatory research participation.

PGY-4 Year

In the fourth year, residents act at a Chief Resident level, spearheading complex urological procedures and acting as senior residents at key training hospitals. This experience solidifies their role in managing tertiary care clinics and performing advanced surgical techniques.

PGY-5 Year

The final year entails directing inpatient services across all collaborating hospitals, allowing chief residents to master robotic surgery, advanced oncology, and complex reconstructive surgeries. This capstone experience provides tailored surgical encounters aligned with residents’ career aspirations.

The residency program adopts a thoughtfully scheduled call system aimed at minimizing the mental and physical burden on residents while maximizing educational value. The schedule includes in-house night calls followed by designated off days, and home-calls during less frequent rotations. Detailed arrangements vary by rotation and year, ensuring call duties remain manageable.

The program encourages active engagement in research, along with participation in various conferences for continual learning. Weekly and monthly sessions, including the Resident Core Conference and Grand Rounds, provide vital educational opportunities. The program also hosts visiting professorships to foster exposure to leading experts in urology.

Residents receive mentoring from faculty members dedicated to ensuring that each participant has a conducive learning environment where they can interact across various subspecialties, including pediatric urology, oncology, and more.

Interested applicants can apply through ERAS, with requirements including a complete application, three letters of recommendation, USMLE transcripts, and a personal statement. The program's approach towards applicants is holistic, and there are no strict cut-offs; however, competitive applications are encouraged, especially for IMGs and DOs.

UT Southwestern offers competitive salaries for residents, beginning with $66,918 in the first year and scales up to $80,521 by the fifth year. Residents enjoy benefits like paid time off, health and life insurance, retirement plans, and malpractice coverage from the start of their residency.

The program supports visa applications, offering sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visas to international medical graduates. This facilitates access to a diverse pool of candidates, enhancing the overall learning environment.