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Andrology Fellowship

Department of Urology: Urology Fellowship In Andrology

Overview

Program director: Raymond A. Costabile, MD
Location: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Duration: 1 or 2 years
Number of fellowships: 1
Requirements:Completion of an approved urology residency

The Andrology fellowship at the University of Virginia aims provides the fellow with the depth of knowledge and surgical skill necessary to provide expert specialty care in the field of Andrology (sexual medicine and male infertility) to the patient.  Microsurgical techniques and experiences are taught in a lab and clinical environment.  Office based assessment for patients with sexual dysfunction or infertility is experienced through a mentorship approach.  The fellow may elect to continue work as a general urologist during the fellowship allowing a maturation of surgical skills and knowledge particularly in the field of reconstructive surgery.  Research time is protected at least 3.5 days/week to ensure opportunity to explore clinical questions.  Bench research is guided by a dedicated laboratory staff with a strong background in andrology research.  Upon completion, the fellow will have the background to become a leader in the field of andrology through research and clinical practice.

Clinical Experience

Clinical time (two half-day clinics and one OR day/week) represents approximately 30% of the fellowship experience.

Clinical time will include the fellow’s own clinic and surgery.  The clinic will run parallel with Dr. Costabile’s clinic to allow discussion and review of andrology and infertility cases.  General urology patients will also be included in the fellow’s clinical time with the majority of patients being examined for problems with infertility and sexual dysfunction (vasectomy reversal, oligo/azoospermia, Peyronie’s disease, ART eval etc).

Surgical time will be performed at the outpatient surgery center, clinic procedure rooms and main operating rooms.  It is required that the fellow participate in all andrology cases.  The fellow is able to schedule and perform general urologic procedures within their ability.

Research Experience

Research time comprises the remaining 70% of the fellowship.

Research is performed under the guidance of Jeffrey Lysiak, PhD.  The fellow may be involved with research already underway.  New research topics and opportunities are mandatory for to the fellow to begin their own research.  Current research is focused on the role of erectile dysfunction in many disease processes and the role of engulfment by Sertoli cells.  Both clinical research and bench research are available for study. Some recent publications by UVA Andrology fellows are included below:

  • Kavoussi PK, Ellen JH, Woodson RI, Ellati RT, Costabile RA, Turner TT, Lysiak JJ.  Acute oxidative stress does not result in detrimental histologic or physiologic changes in the murine penis.  (Manuscript submitted to the Journal of Urology for publication)

  • Kavoussi PK, Floyd TS, Costabile RA.  Effects of brachytherapy on semen parameters in prostate cancer patients.  (Accruing patients)

  • Kavoussi PK, Ellen JH, Oliver JL, Woodson RI, Costabile RA, Steers WD, Palmer LA, Lysiak JJ.  eNOS S-nitrosylation and erectile function.  (Manuscript in preparation for submission to Proceedings in the National Academy of Sciences for publication)

  • Kavoussi PK, Politano AD, Mammen T, Lysiak JJ, Costabile RA, Turner TT.  Vasectomy and the retrograde transmission of bacterial infection in the rat epididymis.  (Manuscript submitted to the Journal of Urology for publication).

  • Kavoussi PK, Floyd TS, Tracy CR, Costabile RA.  Can adult men have infectious epididymitis following vasectomy?  Clinical evaluation and management of epididymitis in patients who have undergone vasectomy at a large academic center.  (Manuscript in preparation for submission to Military Medicine for publication)

  • Smith RP, Tracy CR, Kavoussi PK, Witmer MT, Costabile RA.  The use of ultrasound in patients with clinical epididymitis in a university based health care system.  (Manuscript in preparation for submission to the World Journal of Urology for publication).

  • Kavoussi PK, Straub AC, Oliver JL, Costabile RA, Lysiak JJ.  Myoendothelial junctions in the corpus cavernosum are important for normal erectile function.  (Manuscript in preparation).

  • Kavoussi PK, Ellen JH, Woodson RI, Costabile RA, Turner TT, Lysiak JJ.  Oxidative stress in the penis: Friend or foe?  Poster presentation at the 2009 67th Annual Mid-Atlantic Section of the AUA.

  • Vasovasotomy and Vasoepididymostomy, Costablie RA, in Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery, 3rd Edition, Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA (in press).

  • Oliver JL, Kavoussi PK, Woodson RI, Corbett ST, Costabile RA, Lysiak JJ.  Expression of eNOS and associated regulatory proteins in the human clitoris.  Poster presentation at the 2009 15th annual Sexual Medicine Society of North America meeting.

  • Kavoussi PK, Straub AC, Oliver JL, Costabile RA, Lysiak JJ.  Myoendothelial junctions in the corpus cavernosum are important for normal erectile function.  (Accepted for presentation at the 2010 American Urological Association Annual Meeting).

  • Kavoussi PK, Ellen JH, Oliver JL, Woodson RI, Costabile RA, Steers WD, Palmer LA, Lysiak JJ.  S-nitrosylation regulates eNOS and penile erection.  (Accepted for presentation at the 2010 American Urological Association Annual Meeting).

  • Kavoussi PK, Oliver JL, Woodson RI, Corbett ST, Costabile RA, Palmer LA, Lysiak JJ.  S-nitrosoglutathione reductase and female sexual dysfunction.  (Accepted for presentation at the 2010 American Urological Association Annual Meeting).

  • Oliver JL, Kavoussi PK, Woodson RI, Corbett ST, Costabile RA, Lysiak JJ.  Expression of eNOS and associated regulatory proteins in the murine and human clitoris.  Podium presentation at the 2010 annual International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health.  (February 2010).

  • Mammen,T and Costabile RA, An overview and expert opinion on the use of alprostadil in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Jun;9(8):1421-9. Review.

Conferences

Departmental conferences are held twice weekly and are required.  A resident based conference occurs once a week as well and the fellow will assist with the infertility and andrology topics.

Several national conferences are important for the fellow to attend.  These usually include the annual AUA meeting, ASRM, and the American Society of Andrology.  Other meetings are attended based on funding and presentations.

Evaluation

Performance evaluation will be assessed at 3, 6, and 11 months.  On the spot feedback is provided during procedures and when requested.

Applying

Please send your letter of interest, CV and two letters of recommendation to the contact below.  If the applicant would like to visit the campus, please call to schedule a time as well.

Contact:  Raymond A. Costabile MD

The University of Virginia Health System
Urology Department
P. O. Box 800422
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Phone: 434-982-1081