The field of urology doesn’t have the same high level of glamour as some other specialties, but I think that’s what makes it so worthwhile. With so many patients suffering from incontinence and erectile dysfunction, there are very few doctors who can make such a positive impact on their patients’ lives. I want to help people, and I enjoy helping people with problems that other doctors don’t want to treat, so urology was the natural choice for me. And if you ask any of my patients, I’m sure they would agree!
Growing Up In Nebraska:
I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended the University of Iowa where I majored in biology and minored in chemistry. My time at Iowa was the most formative of my life and helped me decide to become a urologist.
One day during my sophomore year, Dr. Irwin Gross, professor emeritus of urology, came to speak with us about his work.
He described how he was able to help prostate cancer patients avoid surgery by using injections in their prostates that would shrink the tumor enough so that it could be removed through less invasive means–a procedure called Prostate Brachytherapy.
Going To College – Where Did You Go? What Did You Study?
I attended the University of Iowa and graduated with the highest distinction with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. I was selected for membership in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. As an undergraduate, I served as President of the Student Government, Vice-President of the Biology Club, and Secretary of the Chemistry Club. I was also awarded Phi Beta Kappa honors and scholarships to attend medical school at Indiana University Medical School.
My First Internship Experience:
My second internship experience was in the urology department at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This experience opened my eyes to the many nuances of urology. From the initial evaluation and diagnosis to treatments and follow-up care, urologists play an important role in improving patient outcomes through highly focused interventions. Furthermore, as an intern, I learned about all aspects of urology including kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urinary tract infections (UTI), bladder cancer, and neurogenic bladder. This is when I realized that it was really difficult for me to decide on what specialty to pursue as a career because there were so many avenues available.
My Second Internship Experience (The Reason Why I Became A Urologist):
During the second summer of my internship, I had the privilege of working in the urology department at Georgetown University Hospital. This was truly my first experience with urological surgery. The surgical cases were interesting, and the staff was caring and supportive. As an intern, our responsibilities were mostly limited to scrubbing and assisting in the operating room. There were two cases that stand out in my mind as being life-changing experiences for me. The first case was a radical prostatectomy, which is one of the most commonly performed surgeries on men in this country because it is so successful at curing prostate cancer.
Becoming Licensed To Practice Medicine:
In order to practice medicine in the United States, doctors must be licensed to practice medicine by the state or jurisdiction in which they reside. Obtaining licensing requires that an individual graduate from medical school and pass a series of exams, such as the USMLE. For those who are already licensed in another jurisdiction, one may transfer their license to practice in another state or country. Individuals who wish to become physicians typically have eight years of undergraduate education and four years of medical school.
The Rise of Surgical Specialties:
In 1857, the first American medical school opened in Philadelphia. The new school focused on surgery and had no formal courses in any of the medical sciences that were important to medicine at that time, such as anatomy or physiology. It was not until over two decades later that schools offered formal training in those disciplines. Even then, surgeons often had little interest in mastering these other skills. Yet by 1900, surgery had become the dominant form of medicine, largely because surgeons were able to use their technical skills to perform feats that could not be accomplished by other means. As surgical techniques became more sophisticated and available, so too did surgical specialties develop around them.
40 Years Later – Lessons Learned From Doctors Around The Country:
I am honored and humbled to have been asked to share some of the lessons that have shaped my 40-year career as a urologist.
I’ve learned that no matter how bad things get, there is always something to be grateful for. I’ve learned that you don’t always get what you want, but you usually get what you need. I’ve learned that if it seems too good to be true, it usually is (though not always!). I’ve learned that if you don’t like what people are saying about you behind your back, then the problem isn’t them – it’s you!
