Residency
Urology Conferences
The entire Section of Urology meets for weekly conferences from 6:30-8:30 a.m. each Wednesday at The University of Chicago Medical Center Main Campus. During this two-hour time period the following individual conferences are held:
Grand Rounds – (twice per month) - This conference is held twice a month and is organized by Dr. Gregory Zagaja. Grand Rounds is presented by outside speakers (from other urological programs in the area or other departments within The University of Chicago) approximately 6-8 times per year. A resident debated is conducted approximately every other month in which the two residents at the same level of training are assigned a controversial topic (such as RPLND vs. surveillance in stage I testis cancer) and are asked to argue opposite sides of the issue. Dr. Rinker-Schaeffer or another member of the basic science laboratory presents basic science topics approximately every other month.
Case Conference (twice per month) - The residents organize this conference and two to three cases are presented during one hour. A short history is given by one resident and another resident who is unfamiliar with the case is asked to request additional information and to review any available x-rays. This conference is designed to simulate the oral board examination and to give the residents experience presenting cases in an
organized manner, as well as to think through an efficient approach to the management of clinical problems. The faculty provide further insight into each case through the discussion that follows each case presentation.
Uropathology Conference (once every other month) - This conference is included as part of the Grand Rounds schedule. This conference is conducted by a faculty pathologist with expertise in urologic pathology, and each conference is organized around a particular subject or organ system.
Uroradiology Conference (once every other month) – This conference is also included as part of the Grand Rounds schedule and is conducted by Dr. Kate Feinstein, a faculty urologic radiologist. As with uropathology conference, each uroradiology conference is organized around a particular subject or organ system.
Morbidity and Mortality/Quality Assurance Conference (once per month) - This conference is organized by the chief residents who present all complications during the preceding month. This is done for the adult and pediatric service at The University of Chicago Medical Center, as well as for Weiss Hospital. All cases are presented and organized by the residents. Quality assurance issues are also discussed.
Journal Club (once per month) - At this conference, key articles from the urologic and general medical literature are reviewed by the faculty and residents. The chief residents select about ten articles with guidance from the faculty. Residents are responsible for reading all of the selected articles, which are generally chosen from the Journal of Urology and Urology. However, articles of special interest are often chosen from other journals. Each resident presents one or two articles for review at Journal Club and other residents and faculty then provide additional discussion of each article.
Urologic Oncology Conference (once per month) - This conference is held once per month and is attended by urology faculty and residents, along with members of the Section of Hematology/Oncology and the Departments of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Pathology. All problematic urologic oncology cases are reviewed and recommendations are made regarding patient management. The Urology residents generally present cases.
Harry Schoenberg Contest (once per year) - This annual two-hour conference is named in honor of the former Chief of the Section of Urology. Each resident makes a 10-15 minute presentation concerning the most significant clinical or basic research project that they have been involved with during the preceding year. Each resident is required to participate. A plaque with the winner’s name is kept in the administrative offices of the Section.
The following three weekly conferences are held at other times during the week:
Campbell’s Review (once per week) - This conference is held for 90 minutes on a weekly basis from 6:00-7:30 PM. The conference is led by the chief residents and is based on a chapter from Campbell's Urology supplemented by appropriate AUA updates. Each resident is responsible for reading the chapter and related material. One faculty member attends each week and provides additional discussion and insight regarding the topic.
Urology Research Conference (once per week) - This conference is mandatory for all laboratory personnel including the two urology residents in the laboratory. Progress and problems are reviewed and the various researchers, including the two urology residents rotating through the laboratory make individual presentations. Interesting articles from the basic science journals are also reviewed.