Urogynecology and Reconstructive (URPS) Surgery Fellowship Program

25

Active Clinical Trials

153

Peer-Reviewed Publications in Past 5 Years

24

Credentialed Expert Physicians/Researchers

19

Urology Residents/Fellows

About Our Fellowship

The Department of Urology at Houston Methodist Hospital, in conjunction with faculty from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Neurology, offers one of the most comprehensive and multi-disciplinary 24-month fellowship opportunities for urologists. This competitive fellowship offers multi-disciplinary training in voiding dysfunction and urinary tract and pelvic reconstruction. Candidates receive extensive training in prosthetics, soft tissue reconstruction, bowel reconstruction, with experience in colorectal, urogynecology, neuro-urology, plastics and reconstructive surgery. This training opportunity produces well-rounded and highly skilled reconstructive surgeons in the growing field of pelvic reconstructive surgery and neuro-urology, permitting them to pursue a career in academics or private practice.
Message From Our Program Director

We appreciate your interest in the Houston Methodist Urology Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery (URPS) Fellowship! As an established fellowship program for over 30 years, we are pleased to be a newly ACGME-accredited two-year program. Based at Houston Methodist—ranked as the #1 hospital in the state of Texas by U.S. News and World Report—we are leading in medicine by offering the latest and most advanced technology and treatment options. We combine the highest level of medical expertise with an unparalleled commitment to patient safety and compassionate care. Our program consists of four core faculty members, each specializing in a specific subset of URPS. Each subspecialty offers varied experiences in the URPS field, including running a subspecialty transitional urology clinic with Rose Khavari, MD, a neurourology expert who heads one of the few clinics in the country for helping young adults with neurourological congenital defects transition to adulthood. Other opportunities include managing a URPS community outreach clinic for women without insurance.

Our trainees also will acquire and demonstrate medical knowledge of neurologic and idiopathic disorders of the bladder and pelvic floor leading to incontinence, voiding dysfunction and pelvic organ prolapse. Incorporating the most current studies and standards of practice, our fellowship provides education from multiple renowned institutions and faculty from Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Neurology from Houston Methodist Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Fellows receive extensive training in prosthetics, soft tissue reconstruction and bowel reconstruction led by accomplished faculty who are leaders in their field, with experience in colorectal, urogynecology, neurourology, plastics and reconstructive surgery.

I encourage you to explore our website and view our video tour for a first glimpse of the impressive culture we commit to in our fellowship and at Houston Methodist. If you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact me directly. We look forward to seeing you in Houston!

Sincerely,


Ricardo Gonzalez, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Urology, Academic Institute
Department of Urology
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College

Our Team

Our Alumni


Primary Program Faculty


Kathleen Kobashi, MD, FACS
Female Pelvic Medicine, Reconstructive Surgery, and Neurology

Ricardo Gonzalez, MD
Pelvic reconstructive surgery and neuro-urology

Rose Khavari, MD
Pelvic reconstructive surgery and neuro-urology

Julie Stewart, MD
Pelvic reconstructive surgery and neuro-urology



Other Faculty and Collaborators


Danielle Antosh, MD
Uro-gynecology

Marianne Cusick, MD
Colorecotal surgery

Michael Snyder, MD
Colorectal surgery

Albina Heidebrecht, DPT
Pelvic floor physical therapy

Uchenna Ossai, DPT
Pelvic floor physical therapy

Our Alumni

2019 – 2020 Rachel Sosland, MD
2018 – 2019 Sanchita Bose, MD
2017 – 2018 Brandi Miller, DO
2016 – 2017 Laura Martinez, MD
2015 – 2016 Alex Kavanagh, MD
2013 – 2014 Robert Chan, MD
2012 – 2013 Julie Stewart, MD
2011 – 2012 Rose Khavari, MD
2005 – 2007 Henry Lai, MD
2003 – 2004 Ravi Mootha, MD
2001 – 2003 Richard T. Kershen, MD
2000 – 2002 Michael Gross, MD
1999 – 2000 Daniel Elliott, MD
1998 – 1999 Steven E. Mutchnik, MD
1997 – 1998 Stephen R. Kraus, MD
1996 – 1997 Young H. Kim, MD
1995 – 1996 Kevin G. Nickell, MD
1994 – 1995 John L. Hinson, MD

Eligibility and Application

Eligibility for application and acceptance to this 2-year Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery in Urology Fellowship requires graduation from a 5- or 6-year ACGME accredited Urology residency. Candidates must be Board Certified or Board Eligible for certification by the American Board of Urology. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States or Canada. Candidates must hold a full Texas Physicians Permit.

To apply, please submit the following information to Diana Benito:
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Personal Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation

Houston Methodist is committed to improving the health of our patients, employees, and communities around us. As a health care provider, it’s our responsibility to promote a healthier environment for our employees.


Responsibility
  • Drug and Tobacco Screening- Job seekers will be tested for nicotine and drug usage during the post-offer physical. If a job seeker tests positive for nicotine use, including nicotine gum and patches, the offer will be rescinded, and individuals will be given the opportunity to participate in a free Houston Methodist-provided tobacco cessation program. Job seekers wishing to reapply after testing positive for nicotine may do so 90 days after the date the initial offer was rescinded. If the job seeker tests positive for drug use, the offer will be rescinded. Job seekers wishing to reapply after the drug screening is positive may do so one year after the date the initial offer was rescinded.
  • Background Check - Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check.

Interviews

Offers for interviews will be made via email starting in March. Applicants are invited and highly encouraged to visit Houston Methodist Hospital and our program in person. However, if this is not possible, an interview could be arranged at meetings such as SUFU, AUA, AUGS or ICS.

We will enter the match formally in 2024 for our 2025 position.

Our Fellows
Annie Chen, MD

Curriculum

Click here for current resident rotation schedule.


Program Structure

Fellows will acquire and demonstrate medical knowledge of neurologic and idiopathic disorders of the bladder and pelvic floor leading to incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and pelvic organ prolapse based on the most recent literature and standards of practice. Trainees will understand the presentation of a wide range of pelvic floor disorders and their non-surgical and surgical management options as outlined below.

  • Presentation and treatment options for disorders of pelvic floor support, musculature and innervation:
    • Pelvic organ prolapse: anterior (cystocele), posterior (rectocele) and uterine/vaginal vault prolapse
    • Defecation disorders and chronic constipation
    • Pelvic pain and dyspareunia
    • Transvaginal compartment prolapse and vault suspension repairs
    • Trans-abdominal vault suspension techniques
    • Minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) prolapse repair
  • Presentation and treatment options for female and male stress urinary incontinence, including:
    • Injection of urethral bulking agents
    • Pubovaginal/midurethral sling procedures
    • Male artificial urinary sphincter placement/male sling procedures
  • Presentation and treatment of disorders of the bladder and urethra:

    • Repair of lower urinary tract injuries from synthetic mesh
    • Repair of urethral diverticulum
    • Repair of vesicovaginal fistula
  • Comprehensive video-urodynamic studies
  • Botulinum toxin intradetrusor injections
  • Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation
  • Sacral neuromodulation
  • Augmentation cystoplasty
  • Urinary diversion
  • Patients with congenital genitourinary abnormalities and participate in our monthly transitional urology clinic
  • Disorders of the detrusor muscle, urinary sphincter, central nervous system and afferent and efferent neuronal pathways that innervate the bladder, including conditions such as:
    • Neurogenic bladder
    • Overactive bladder and urinary incontinence
    • Male and female voiding dysfunction


Academic and Research Structure

The fellow candidate will participate in monthly journal club meetings and weekly didactic conferences specific to the area of pelvic floor reconstructive surgery and neuro-urology. Fellows will have the opportunity to mentor and teach medical students and residents and present at departmental grand rounds. We strongly encourage and support the fellow's participation in basic science and clinical research. All faculty members will provide opportunities for the fellow to choose and be involved in multiple research projects.

Get In Touch

Program Contact

Diana Benito
Department of Urology
6560 Fannin St., Scurlock Tower 2100
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.441.1038
Email: adbenito@houstonmethodist.org

Program Director

Ricardo Gonzalez, MD
Department of Urology
6560 Fannin St., Scurlock Tower
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.441.6455

Upcoming Academic Events

Grand rounds, tumor boards, regularly scheduled series and case presentations are offered in multiple clinical disciplines and Houston Methodist locations.
Fundamentals of Responsible Conduct of Research
Houston Methodist Research Institute

Feb 24 @ 11AM

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Statistical Rx: Powered by R

Ahmad Ibrahim, MD

Feb 24 @ 12PM

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55

Grand Rounds conducted in 2023
These educational events are held according to varying schedules by departments and divisions within the Houston Methodist Academic Institute

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