The Washington University fellowship in Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery is an ACGME-accredited three-year program for individuals who have completed residency training in obstetrics and gynecology or urology at an ACGME-approved program. The ideal candidate for this program is strongly interested in pursuing a career in academic urogynecology, including excellence and leadership in education, research, and patient care.
The curriculum is designed to provide board training and experience in clinical care and research for women with pelvic floor disorders. Clinical rotations include in-patient and outpatient urogynecology, urology, gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, pelvic floor physical therapy, and geriatrics. Both surgical and non-surgical approaches to treatment are emphasized. Fellows develop surgical expertise which includes abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic/robotic approaches to pelvic floor disorders. Certificate in Clinical Research, Masters in Clinical Research, other degree, or, T32 Fellowship position may be available.
Fellowship Virtual Interview Dates:
2023 Interviews are currently closed.
Program
The primary goal of the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital URPS fellowship is to provide fellows with advanced training and experience in the clinical care of women with pelvic floor disorders and in the theoretical and practical aspects of basic science, translation and clinic research.
The fellowship program consists of:
- 18 months of Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
- 2 months of female urology
- 1 month of colorectal surgery
- 2 weeks gastroenterology
- 2 weeks geriatrics
- 1 week of physical therapy
- 12 months of research (in one-month blocks)
- Independent practice (throughout the fellowship)
The fellows’ clinical experience will allow them to provide high-quality care to women and consultative services to professional colleagues regarding pelvic floor disorders. Their research experience will enable them to contribute to the advancement of the field, pursue independent research careers, and serve as research mentors to others.
Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (18 months)
URPS rotations involve both four-week dedicated rotations on the outpatient and inpatient URPS services. Clinical sites for these rotations include Washington University Medical Campus / Barnes-Jewish Hospital, as well as Barnes West County and Missouri Baptist Medical Center.
Female Urology (2 months)
The Urology rotation is a dedicated four-week rotation during which fellows work in both the outpatient and in-patient setting with female urology faculty and will be integrated into the urology inpatient team.
Colorectal Surgery (1 month)
The colorectal rotation is a dedicated four-week block during which fellows will rotate with faculty members of the Section of Colorectal Surgery in the Department of Surgery. The Colorectal rotation has both in-patient and outpatient components in which the urogynecology fellows will be exposed to the depth and breadth of patients seen and operated on by a busy referral CRS service, participate in the anal physiology lab, and participate in the COPE conference.
Gastroenterology (2 weeks)
The GI rotation occurs during a two-week outpatient urogynecology block. Fellows gain valuable experience on their gastroenterology rotation in evaluating and non-surgically managing women with irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, dyschezia, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, and other pelvic floor disorders presenting as posterior compartment conditions. The experience includes exposure to testing for anorectal and defecatory dysfunction including endoanal ultrasound, anal manometry, surface electromyography, single-fiber electromyography, pudendal nerve testing, and defecating proctography. Testing such as endoanal ultrasound, anal manometry, neurophysiologic testing and clinical consultation for selected patients is currently available in the Digestive Disorders Center at Barnes Jewish Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center.
Geriatrics (2 weeks)
Geriatric Medicine is a two-week block rotation in the first year. This rotation is designed to expose trainees to numerous aspects of clinical care, education, and research methodology for older adults. The trainee will participate in outpatient comprehensive geriatric assessment. We hope that this rotation will provide a framework and foundation for the future care of the older adult patient.
Physical Therapy (1 week)
The PT rotation is shared with geriatrics in year one. Fellows will shadow the physical therapists to observe the evaluation and treatment of patients with pelvic floor disorders.
Research Training (12 months)
Opportunities may be available for candidates to pursue a certificate or master’s degree in clinical research through the Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences during fellowship training.
T32 Fellowship
The NIH/NIDDK-sponsored “Clinical Outcomes Research Training in Female Lower Urinary Tract Disorders” T32 training program is an interdisciplinary effort between the Divisions of Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology) and Public Health Sciences (Department of Surgery) at Washington University School of Medicine. Scientific research collaboration is fostered by training the T32 postdoctoral fellows (MD and PhD) and Ob/Gyn clinical fellows. The trainee positions for the T32 program are currently filled.
Educational opportunities
Didactic training in clinical outcomes research methodology & full range of female lower urinary tract disorders. The URPS fellows participate in the following educational conferences, seminars, and lectures weekly:
- Fellow didactics include:
- quality improvement seminars
- research in progress seminars
- journal club
- comprehensive Urogynecology topics
- Preoperative conference
- OB/GYN Grand Rounds
- Professional Development Series
- COPE (Center for Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disorders)
Faculty
Urogynecology: Chiara Ghetti, MD, MSc; Jerry Lowder, MD, MSc, Sara Wood, MD
Urology: Henry Lai, MD
Colorectal: Radhika Smith, MD
Gastroenterology: Prakash Gyawali, MD
Geriatrics: Ellen Binder, MD
Pelvic Floor PT: Tracy Spitznagle, PT, DPT, WCS
Research: Siobhan Sutcliffe, PhD, ScM, MHS
Contacts
Program Director: Chiara Ghetti, MD, MSc
Fellowship Program Administrator:
Charron Ford
About the Division of Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery »
Our Current Fellows
Sarin Soyemi, MD
Clinical Fellow, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Began Fellowship 8.1.2024
Graduates 7.31.27
Hunter Terry, MD
Clinical Fellow, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Began Fellowship 8.1.2023
Graduates 7.31.26
How to apply
All completed applications will be considered for an interview. The program coordinator will send interview invitations directly to candidates via ERAS. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the program coordinator.
Apply to the program through ERAS.
Requirements for ERAS application consideration:
MyERAS Application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Medical School Transcript
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
- Personal Statement (including a description of research experience and interests, career goals, and rationale for pursuing formal mentored training in clinical outcomes research for female lower urinary tract disorders)
- Photo
- USMLE Transcript
- One Letter of Recommendation from the Residency Director or Department Chair
- Two Letters of Recommendation
Go to T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship
Go to American Urogynecologic Society Key Dates
Application Deadline:
Program not participating in 2024 Match.
Next Interview Dates in 2025.