Clinical Experience
The curriculum is designed to provide broa
d training and experience in clinical care and research for women with pelvic floor disorders. Clinical rotations include inpatient and outpatient urogynecology, urology, and gastroenterology. Surgical approaches to pelvic floor disorders include abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic procedures. The fellows will average 70-75 surgical cases per month.
The primary site for care is provided at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, a nationally and regionally recognized leader in women’s health. Magee-Womens maintains 383 licensed beds and is ranked in the top ten nationally for gynecologic care by US News & World Report. Fellows also participate in care at UPMC Passavant Hospital. Passavant maintains 425 licensed beds and is a world-class tertiary care center with programs in heart care, cancer treatment, orthopedics, and spine surgery. UPMC Passavant provides local access to comprehensive women’s health care services through programs linked to UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital.
Educational Program
The aim of our URPS program is to train fellows to become outstanding clinicians, researchers and thought leaders in the field of Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogynecology. We strive for a truly integrated training program in the disciplines of urogynecology, urology and colorectal surgery/medicine by exposing fellows to a variety of patients seeking treatment of pelvic floor disorders while involving fellows in patient medical and surgical treatments and follow up care. We involve trainees in improving access to the underserved and to promote advocacy for women affected by pelvic floor disorders. Fellows are trained in study design, institutional review, subject enrollment and retention, data analysis, manuscript preparation and grant writing in both clinical outcomes and basic science research.
We are very fortunate to have a wide diversity of specialists with expertise in all types of female pelvic floor disorders. We have nationally renowned faculty with a diverse range of research interests and are associated with the top residency program in the country producing outstanding trainees. In addition to close collaborations in the clinics and operating room, weekly academic conferences and didactic session are held with the faculty, fellows, residents, medical students, and other pelvic floor healthcare providers.
Research Opportunities
All fellows participate in a quality improvement project with 12 months dedicated to research throughout their fellowship. Research rotations will include the opportunity to participate in both basic science (laboratory) research and clinical research, guided by the fellow’s individual interests and goals. Fellows will have access to Magee-Womens Research Institute which is an independent research institute and the largest institute in the nation that focuses on reproductive biology, women’s health, and infants’ health.
For physicians who are interested in becoming independent investigators, the Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE) offers several programs through the University of Pittsburgh that entail extensive formal training in clinical and translational research, including Certificate, Master of Science, and Doctoral programs. Fellows will also have the option to complete a 9-credit course at the ICRE. Also offered is the REACH program. The aim of this program is to provide high-quality instruction to medical professionals who are interested in gaining a better understanding of clinical research or are interested in participating in clinical research studies as an active member of a research team. REACH is not part of a degree program, and University credit is not awarded for REACH.
Program Specifics
URPS Faculty:
Mary Ackenbom, MD, MSc;
Amanda Artsen, MD, MSc;
Michael Bonidie, MD;
Megan Bradley, MD;
Christopher Chermansky, MD**
Jocelyn Fitzgerald, MD;
Lauren Giugale, MD;
Stephanie Glass Clark, MD
Pamela Moalli, MD, PhD;
G. Sarah Napoé, MD, MS;
Halina Zyczynski, MD
Urology Faculty: Christopher Chermansky, MD (only Urology FPMRS Faculty on staff)
Gastroenterology Faculty: Janet Harrison, MD
Colorectal Faculty: Jennifer Holder-Murray, MD
Research Faculty: Steven Abramowitch, PhD; Susan George, PT; Rui Liang, MD
Requirements: Graduate of an ACGME-accredited residency program in obstetrics and gynecology or urology
Program Length: 3 years for Ob/Gyn residents and 2 years for urology residents
Number of Fellows: 6 - We recently increased our fellow complement to a total of 2 fellows per year that move simultaneously through the program at the same PGY level.
Application Deadline: We are a “first round” interview participant. Key dates can be found at: Fellowship Application Key Dates - Fellowship Programs | AUGS.
Application Process: We participate with the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) on the December application cycle. As part of the online ERAS application, please be sure to include three letters of recommendation. You must also register with the National Resident Match Program (NRMP) @ www.nrmp.org to participate in the Match.
Interviews: There are two interview dates held in April/May. All current interview dates are available at www.augs.org under Education/Fellowship Programs/Interview Dates.
Current Fellows
Nicole Meckes, MD
Erin Mowers, MD, PhD
Ashley Murillo, MD
Stephanie Zuo, MD
Coralee Toal, MD
Gregory Zemtsov, MD
For further information, please contact:
Kelli Lazar, Program Coordinator
Magee-Womens Research Institute
204 Craft Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-641-6052 / klazar@mwri.magee.edu
Megan Bradley, MD, Program Director
Assistant Professor
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
300 Halket Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-641-6052 / bradleym4@upmc.edu
Informational Links