Urology Residency

Welcome to the Loyola Medicine's Urology Residency Program

I am very fortunate to lead the Department of Urology at Loyola Medicine which has a rich tradition of excellence in patient care, research, and postgraduate training. It is an honor to build upon this historic program, which celebrates its 103rd year of quality urologic care and training. From the first chairman, Dr. Frank M. Phifer, to our most recent past chairman, Dr. Robert Flanigan, a tradition of excellence persists.

The Department’s research efforts continue to thrive in clinical, translational, basic science, and health services. Overall department research efforts yielded 40 peer reviewed published manuscripts within the past year, and 14 original abstracts at this year’s AUA national meeting in New Orleans. Loyola Urology remains a national leader in translational research involving the urinary microbiome, and its effect on urologic disease processes including lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), erectile dysfunction, bladder cancer, urethral stricture, women’s health, and prostate malignancies. In the area of bioengineering, Dr. Alberto Colombo, a LUC Research Associate, has developed a novel penile prosthetic prototype with Dr. Kevin McVary. This collaboration with university engineers led to the formation of the Loyola Center for Innovation. This group of surgeons and material science engineers strive to generate value through the identification of unmet clinical needs with the creation of useful medical devices to improve patient care.

The residency training program remains strong under the guidance of Dr. Kristin Baldea and Dr. Thomas Turk. Congratulations to Dr. Baldea who was recently elevated to Program Director for the Department of Urology. She did an outstanding job for us as Associate Program Director and we look forward to her leadership in the years to come. A special thanks to Dr. Tom Turk who served as Program Director for the past 15 years. Tom’s leadership in this role was instrumental in the success and stability of the training program over the past several years. Tom will now serve as Associate Program Director for the department.

We retain the protected year of research where residents are encouraged and supported to pursue hypothesis-generated ideas with faculty mentorship and guidance. The diversity of training remains amongst the best offered in the country with rotations at Loyola University Medical Center, the Hines VA, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, and Lurie Children's Hospital. Loyola University Medical Center is a level one trauma and burn center which provides our residents the experience to diagnose and manage patients with genitourinary trauma and burns in both an acute and delayed setting. The training experience at the Hines VA remains outstanding under the leadership of Dr. Jeffrey Branch and direction of Dr. Grace Delos Santos and Dr. Larissa Bressler.

Led by Dr. Marcus Quek, we continue to offer the highest level of surgical care for all genitourinary malignancies. Our multidisciplinary team, which includes dedicated urologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and nursing, provides an individualized approach to cancer care. We employ the latest innovations in diagnostics, state-of-the art therapeutic techniques, and accessibility to clinical trials to provide optimal outcomes for our patients. Providers at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center in Maywood and the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center in Melrose Park provide easy and timely access for consultations. Urology has a strong leadership and research presence within the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center with Dr. Michael Woods serving as Director of the Clinical Trials Office.

Dr. Gopal Gupta, Director of the Society of Urologic Oncology fellowship at Loyola, has been a leader in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - ultrasound fusion guided biopsy techniques and advanced molecular imaging modalities (fluciclovine PET) for prostate cancer detection and staging. All of our fellowship-trained urologists, including Dr. Alex Gorbonos, Dr. Marcus Quek, Dr. Gopal Gupta, and Dr. Michael Woods, have extensive experience with robotic surgery with proven oncologic outcomes while preserving urinary and erectile function commensurate with high quality care.

Since the publication of the landmark study led by Dr. Robert Flanigan identifying the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, Loyola has been a center of excellence for kidney cancer. Our urologic oncologists have been at the forefront of surgical innovation, employing techniques such as robotic-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal enucleation for small renal masses, percutaneous cryoablation, as well as taking on the most complex locally advanced tumors involving vascular structures and adjacent organs.

Our comprehensive multidisciplinary bladder cancer program is one of the most robust in the Midwest. Loyola is one of the few centers in the Chicagoland area offering fluorescence-enhanced (Blue Light) cystoscopy for the diagnosis and management of urothelial bladder cancer. We are also one of the highest volume centers in the area performing radical cystectomy for high-risk invasive bladder cancer and we offer all forms of urinary reconstruction tailored to the individual patient. Our standardized enhanced recovery protocols and extensive experience with the disease has led to improved perioperative outcomes, reduced hospital stays, and decreased readmissions.

Loyola’s Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) Division, led by Dr. Elizabeth Mueller, is a joint venture between the departments of Urology and Obstetrics/Gynecology that is focused on the medical and surgical treatments of women’s pelvic floor conditions. Since its inception in 2000, the division has participated in numerous NIH funded research initiatives that have resulted in ground-breaking clinical trials. The FPMRS division trains future leaders in FPMRS who have completed a urology or obstetrics/gynecology residency in their American Board of Urology (ABU) and American Board of Obstetrics/Gynecology (ABOG) approved fellowship. In addition, all residents from both departments rotate on FPMRS during their residency. In collaboration with Loyola’s basic scientists from the departments of Microbiology and Immunology, the division has formed the Loyola Urinary Education & Research Collaborative that is recognized as a leader in understanding the urinary microbiome and its relationship to health and disease.

In coordination with Lurie Children's Hospital the pediatric urology division provides state of the art family centered care for children and adolescents with congenital and acquired conditions of the kidneys, bladder, and genitalia. We have a comprehensive voiding dysfunction program employing minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment modalities including an effective biofeedback program and Botox bladder injections for complex voiding problems. We also have an active minimally invasive program including robotic surgery for urinary tract reconstruction and endoscopic management for urinary tract stones, vesicoureteral reflux, and congenital obstructions in infants. Dr. Derek Matoka, Dr. Diana Bowen and Dr. Catherine Seager lead these efforts for the Department.

The Loyola Medicine Men’s Health Center opened its doors in Burr Ridge in 2020, the first of its kind amongst academic medical centers in the Chicagoland area. The Center provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care surrounding men's health. On site expertise provides novel diagnostic and treatment options for men with enlarged prostate, LUTS, low testosterone, sexual dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, and infertility. Cancer survivorship care through the Center provides men with treatment options, including prosthetics, for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. The Center is led by Dr. Kevin McVary, an internationally recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, and andrology. The Loyola Medicine Men’s Health fellowship training program is led by Dr. Ahmer Farooq, a nationally recognized expert in men's health, BPH and sexual dysfunction. The most recent addition to the Loyola Medicine Men’s Health Center is Dr. Denise Asafu-Adjei. She is the new director of male reproductive medicine, and we look forward to her contributions in men’s health, sexual dysfunction, male fertility preservation, public policy and health care disparities. The department of urology also has internationally recognized expertise in genitourinary reconstruction for men with urethral stricture, previous hypospadias repair related complications, pelvic fracture related urethral injury, concealed penis, and urethral fistula. This effort is led by Dr. Chris Gonzalez.

As the Loyola Medicine Department of Urology enters its’ second century of leading-edge patient care, urologic training, and translational research, I remain very optimistic regarding the future of the department and its’ continued growth and accumulation of expertise.

Sincerely,

Chris M. Gonzalez, MD, MBA, FACS 
Albert J. Jr. & Claire R. Speh Endowed Professor 
Chair, Department of Urology 
Stritch School of Medicine 
Chief of Surgery 
Loyola University Medical Center 
Maywood, IL

Rotations/Teaching

Loyola's Urology residents spend time at several hospitals during their training, all within close proximity of each other: Loyola University Medical Center, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, Loyola Medicine Children’s Hospital and Lurie Children's Hospital.

Evaluation Process

The evaluation process consists of the bi-annual faculty review by all attendings involved with the individual resident using an evaluation tool. These evaluations are reviewed with the residents twice a year by the Program Director.

Residents are required to participate in the in-service examinations of the American Board of Urology. Although a passing score is not required for graduation, grades are used to establish promotion and academic probation.

Call Schedule

On weeknights, a Junior Resident (PGY-1, PGY-2, or PGY-3) takes primary in-house call, followed by a guaranteed post-call day-off; a Senior Resident (PGY-5 or PGY-6) provides back-up.

On weekends, a Junior Resident (PGY-1, PGY-2, or PGY-3) takes primary home call; a Senior Resident (PGY-5 or PGY-6) provides back-up.

Departmental Conferences

Application Process

Selection of resident candidates is done via holistic review of applications and a virtual interview with full-time urology faculty and residents. Candidate applications and interviews are completed in the fall and winter of the fourth year of medical school.

The Urology Residency Program at Loyola Medicine participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Please contact your medical school Dean's office for more information.

Loyola Medicine's Department of Urology participates in the AUA Residency Matching Program for Urology. Visit their website for more information and to register.

For more information about the Loyola Urology Residency program, please contact:

Susan DiSalvo 
Residency Program Coordinator 
Fellowship Coordinator

Phone: 708-216-8467 
E-mail: sdisalvo@lumc.edu