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Ƶ Urology Residency Program

Meghan Schaefer, MDThank you for your interest in the ACGME accredited urologic surgery residency training program at the Ƶ (Ƶ), an accredited five year curriculum (60 months total; 51 months of clinical urology). The Department of Urology supports four (4) residents per year with rotations at Froedtert Hospital, Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Children’s Wisconsin and two local community hospitals. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, Ƶ is the largest Urology residency training program in the state and covers a diverse population of urban, suburban and rural communities. Froedtert Hospital is the primary adult academic tertiary care facility affiliated with Ƶ. Children’s is the largest and only free standing pediatric hospital in the state. The VA Medical Center is one of the busiest referral VA hospitals in the region.

One of Ƶ’s strengths is employing nationally and internationally recognized, fellowship-trained experts in all areas of urology. The faculty consists of 19 urologists, eight physician’s assistants/nurse practitioners and four non-urologists with appointments to the Department of Urology. Our group of specialists provide team-oriented, state of the art instruction in urologic oncology, cryotherapy, endourology, robotics/laparoscopy, pediatric urology, female urology, sexual dysfunction, neurourology, reconstructive urology, voiding dysfunction, andrology/infertility, uropathology and uroradiology.

Additional opportunities within the Ƶ Department of Urology residency training program include:

  • Basic science and clinical research
  • Community urology rotation
  • Elective urology rotation
  • Medical missions in underserved countries
  • Elective rotations at other academic institutions
  • Dedicated training in urodynamics
  • Research presentations at local, regional and national meetings
  • Research assistance from full-time research nurses and biostatisticians

Upon graduation our residents are adequately prepared for careers in either academic medicine or private practice.

Meghan Schaefer, MD
Urology Residency Program Director

Residency Applicants 

Thank you for your interest in applying for a urologic residency at the Ƶ (Ƶ). 
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Program Description

We offer four (4) residency positions each academic year. The PGY 1 year is a combination of 3 urology rotations and 9 general surgery rotations.  PGYs 2-5 are dedicated to education and training in Urology.

The Urology Residency Program participates in the AUA Residency Match; please see the Match Calendar for important dates and information.  ERAS is used for all applications.

Length of Training
Urology is 60 months of clinical urology education
Program Mission & Program Aim

The Department of Urology at Ƶ is dedicated to the classic academic missions of clinical care, teaching and research. Urology boasts eighteen fellowship-trained physicians with specialty expertise in care across a spectrum of urologic disease processes. Our teaching and research activities are designed to both complement and support our clinical service mission. 

Our program aims to: 

  • Educate residents in all aspects of urology and urologic surgery 
  • Mentor residents in clinical and basic science research 
  • Prepare residents for a career in academic medicine or private practice 
  • Teach residents to be physician educators 

Overall Program goals and objectives: 

  • Education: Educational activities of the residency program will instruct the trainee in the assessment and management of urologic disease. 
  • Clinical Care: Clinical activities focus on secondary and tertiary care and will provide the trainee with a broad experience preparing them for the practice of urology. 
  • Research: Clinical and basic research activities are ongoing in many areas in the department. There is ample opportunity for trainee participation in research. 
  • Teaching Objectives: Humanistic and professional attitudes: To foster development in each trainee of positive humanistic and professional attitudes as essential ingredients of excellence in patient care. Technical skills - To assure acquisition by each trainee of appropriate technical skills and an appreciation of surgical anatomy and physiology.
Residency and the American Board of Urology Certifying Exam
Please see the  for complete information on American Board of Urology certification examinations eligibility requirements, certification processes, certification components, and for other ABU certification information.

Successful completion of urology residency training which meets ABU expectations and requirements, such as the ƵAH Urology Residency Program, is one element of the ABU Qualifying (Part 1) Examination eligibility requirement. Each resident is responsible for monitoring and completing all requirements and processes necessary for obtaining an ABU Certification.
Our program participates in the American Urological Association Residency Match Program. Eligible residency candidates are those individuals who have:
  • Graduated from a medical school in the United States or Canada, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME);
  • Graduated from a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA);
How do I apply to the Ƶ Urology Residency Program?

We utilize ERAS to manage the application process.

Applicants from US Medical Schools must:

  • Complete an
  • In your ERAS application, you must:
  1. Provide three (3) Letters of Recommendation
  2. Provide a Curriculum Vitae
  3. Write a Personal Statement
  4. Provide Medical Student Transcripts
  5. Provide USMLE Step 1 Scores
  6. Provide a Dean’s Letter
  7. Prior GME Training

Failure to provide the above information may cause a delay in consideration or rejection of your residency application.

  • Visiting sub-intern students must apply via ERAS but will NOT be required to participate in a formal Ƶ urology residency interview

For IMG applicants

IMGs must provide the above information. In addition, among other qualifications, the following documentation must be provided and/or obtained:

  1. Current ECGMG Certification
  2. US Citizenship
  3. US Permanent Resident
  4. J-1 Visa
  5. H1- B Visa
Benefits, Conditions & Terms of Employment
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Program Contact
Tammy Janik
Urology Education Program Coordinator
(414) 955-0880 | tjanik@mcw.edu
Ƶ Urology Residency Applicant Information Summary

Urology Resident Educational Conferences and Rotation Schedule

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Urology Resident Educational Conferences

Three hours of protected time every Wednesday morning

  • Campbell’s Conference – Residents will discuss specific Campbell’s chapters
  • Pre-Op Conference – All patients scheduled for surgery for the following week will be discussed. The resident(s) should be prepared to discuss each case, including all pre-op labs and x-rays.
  • Pediatric Urology Conference
  • Urology/Radiology Conference – This conference is combined radiology and urology staff. IVP's, ultrasound evaluations, and CT scans will be presented and discussed.
  • Morbidity & Mortality Conference – The specific cases will be discussed by the resident who assisted at the time of the surgical procedure. 
  • Journal Club – This conference is intended to deal with a critical evaluation of clinical and research studies. Discussion will include content, scientific method, and related articles.
  • Grand Rounds
  • Board Prep
  • Pathology/Tumor Board – Held in conjunction with Hematology Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Pathology and Radiology. The junior residents are expected to prepare and present the cases.
  • Research Conference
  • Faculty Led Didactic Conference
Resident Rotation Schedule

Current Residents

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Isaac Melin, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 5

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Megan Paradzinsky, MD

Urology Resident. PGY 5

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Emily Polley, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 5

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Arya Anvar, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 4

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Kwesi Asantey, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 4

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Carissa Battle, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 4

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Thomas Barefoot, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 3

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Sarah Erpenbeck, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 3

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Madelyn Flitcroft, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 3

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Sarah Kodres-O'Brien, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 3

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Leah Ashton, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 2

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Benjamin Bonebrake, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 2

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Casey Norton, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 2

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Daniel Reich, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 2

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Jonathan Hjelmgren, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 1

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Sukhjeevan Nijhar, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 1

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Isis Sweeney, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 1

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Abbygale Willging, MD

Urology Resident, PGY 1

Urology Alumni

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Where did they go?
Since 2008, approximately half of our graduating residents joined private practices and half pursued fellowship training/academic urology positions
Fellowships

Urology oncology, Laparoscopy/Robotics, Infertility and Andrology, Pediatric urology, Benign Prostate Diseases, Urologic reconstruction, Endourology, and Sexual dysfunction

Fellowship Institutions
University of Chicago, Washington University (St. Louis), Virginia Mason Medical Center, University of Illinois – Chicago, Cleveland Clinic, Ƶ, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Indiana University, Boston Children’s Hospital, University of Connecticut, Children’s National Medical Center, University of Colorado, Loyola University Medical Center
Faculty positions
Johns Hopkins University, Washington University (St. Louis), University of Michigan, Baylor Scott & White, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, Ƶ, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, Children’s National Medical Center, Geisinger 

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the Urology Residency Program
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Is the program accredited?
The Ƶ Urology residency program is fully accredited by the ACGME without any compliance violations or citations.
How do the graduating residents score on the written boards?
Since 1999, 100% of Ƶ urology residency graduates passed the written boards on their first attempt.
Parking?
Hospital parking is free and on-site.
Meals?
On call meal vouchers are provided.
Call?
Home call (Urology)
Night float?
General surgery only. Urology does not utilize a night float system.
Vacations?
3 weeks/year
Housing?
Most residents buy or rent within 15 miles of the hospital.
Gym?
Discounted gym memberships are available at the