For Programs:
Apply to Become a GURS Fellowship Program

Criteria for Initial Verification

  1. All supporting documentation should be submitted by August 16, 2024 to be included in the match for the following spring.
  2. A short narrative describing the program must be submitted for use on the GURS fellowship match website. Examples are available on the website.
  3. Letters of Support. The fellowship shall provide:
    • A letter of support from the Post-graduate medical education office of the sponsoring University or academic institution
    • A letter from the residency Program Director (PD) at the institution attesting to the FPD ability to create a flourishing teaching environment
    • Letter from the Chair of the department/division in support of the fellowship program and FPD. The letter should also include an attestation to a salary and professional support
  4. The Fellowship Program Director (FPD) should be at least 5 years out from fellowship training completion and should demonstrate his/her ability to mentor by submitting a CV that demonstrates academic accomplishments and leadership roles or mentorship training acceptable to the fellowship review committee.
  5. The new FPD must be an Adult GURS Surgeon. It is strongly preferred that he or she have completed a GURS fellowship. Exceptions to this requirement will be determined on a case-by-case basis for those individuals who otherwise have demonstrated expertise and reputation for excellence in the reconstructive urology community
  6. The new FPD must demonstrate a strong academic presence: For new applications: 10 publications as first or senior author focused on GURS topics. This proof of academic effort may be collectively from the reconstructive urologists as a group and not just the FPD individually.
  7. Lastly, we ask that a case log from the previous year (July 2023-June 2024) be completed to ensure an appropriate clinical experience is provided (template).

Criteria for Re-Verification

  1. Re-verification will occur annually, between July 1 and September 30.
  2. Any updates to website narrative will be submitted by September 30.
  3. Case logs for the previous year’s graduating fellow (i.e. in July submit the case log of the fellow who finished June 30). Do not include cases performed by the faculty without the fellow. Case logs should match the GURS format of categories and should not include individual cases, only sum totals per category. A spreadsheet template with all categories will be sent out to program directors each year. Please note that in that template we request data on some categories (e.g. trauma, robotic cases) that do not count toward verification but will be shared with the fellowship applicants to help them gauge the quality of the operative experience.  Thresholds are the same as for initial verification.
  4. Confirmation that the previous year’s fellow has applied to join GURS.
  5. Demonstration of academic productivity of fellow: There should be at least one publication or national/international meeting abstract by the fellow over the prior year (AUA, AUA Section, SIU, EAU). Book chapters and review articles do not count; this must be original research. Because fellows may not have their manuscripts accepted until after they complete the fellowship it is acceptable to submit presentations or abstracts in which the previous year’s fellow participated (i.e. in the Fall submit published manuscripts or presented abstracts where the publication/presentation date is between July 1 and June 30 of the previous one or two academic years. Do not include earlier fellows or publication/presentation dates outside the prior year). To avoid confusion about dates of presentation and authors involved, please include a copy of the manuscript proof or notice of abstract acceptance or meeting program.
  6. There will be a probationary period of 1 year for programs that do not meet criteria. Allowances will be made for fellow or PD pregnancy or illness or military requirements.* The institution, not the PD, will hold the fellowship verification. If a PD moves institutions then he/she will have to apply for a new program. Exceptions may be made. The concern is that volume will drop with a move. The institution will have to demonstrate it has a new PD that meets the above criteria if it wishes to continue the program.

The GURS welcomes global participation of prospective fellowship programs.
If you are interested in opening a Global GURS fellowship program, please contact us here.

A dedicated Global Fellowship Committee will oversee the Global Fellowship Tracks, ensuring localized oversight and relevance.

This committee will work alongside the existing North American committee, structured by the Fellowship Committee Chair of GURS.

 

Criteria:

  1. All supporting documentation should be submitted by a global submission deadline that considers different academic calendars. This deadline must be met for the program to be included in the match for May/June of the following year.
  2. Program Narrative
    1. A short narrative describing the program must be submitted for use on the GURS fellowship match website. The narrative must include details of any language, board certification, and citizenship prerequisites.
    2. The narrative must emphasize that fellowship training involves active surgical participation, not mere observation.
  3. Letters of Support
    1. The fellowship must provide:
      1. A letter from the Chair of the Urology Department in support of the fellowship program and the Fellowship Program Director, including an attestation to a salary and professional support.
      2. A letter from the Chief Physician (or Chief of the Hospital) in support of the fellowship program and the Fellowship Program Director.
  4. Fellowship Program Director (FPD) Qualifications
    1. The FPD must be at least 5 years out from training in reconstructive urology or fellowship completion, where such a fellowship is available.
    2. The FPD must demonstrate the ability to mentor by submitting a CV that includes academic accomplishments, leadership roles, or mentorship training acceptable to the fellowship review committee.
    3. The FPD must be a GURS member, emphasizing a close relationship with the society.
  5. Expertise in Adult GURS Surgery
    1. The FPD must be an experienced Adult GURS Surgeon. It is strongly preferred that the FPD has completed a GURS fellowship, but exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for those with substantial expertise and reputation in reconstructive urology.
  6. Academic Presence
    1. For new applications, there should be a demonstration of academic presence. This may include:
      1. At least 10 publications as first or senior author focused on GURS topics. The proof of academic effort may come collectively from the reconstructive urologists as a group, not just from the FPD individually.
      2. Alternatively, conference presentations, educational activities, or a revised publication count may also be acceptable to accommodate different environments.
  7. Case Log
    1. A case log from the previous year (July 2023- June 2024) must be submitted to ensure an appropriate clinical experience is provided.
    2. Centers with exceptional urethroplasty volumes (>200 per year) may highlight their expertise in this area alone for verification.
  8. Attendance at GURS Meetings
    1. The FPD or program faculty/fellow is expected to attend at least two out of every three GURS meetings, ensuring active and consistent engagement with the Society.