Welcome to the SIU Urology Residency Program

The mission of the SIU School of Medicine’s Urology division is to be the best urology training program in the country. The goals and values of the next generation’s urologists will differ from previous generations, occurring in a situation of greater regulatory oversight.

Our program has focused on maximizing learning at work, allowing the program to easily meet ACGME duty-hour restrictions.  After the last site visit, we were accredited for the maximum 5-year cycle (through 06/2015) with zero citations and two commendations.

The program’s success is evidenced by the fact that our case volume is excellent with graduating chief’s operative volume from the last three years averaging 82% for adult urology, 77% for pediatric urology and 83% for total cases. Operative experience is split between two successful, private hospitals in close proximity (>1 mile) with staff coverage for all urologic sub-specialties. Seven of our ten residents scored greater than 90th percentile rank on last year’s urology in-service examination. Our residents’ also average one-to-two pub-med cited publications per year. We have equal numbers of graduates who enter private practice and highly competitive fellowships.  Perhaps most importantly, our residents are happy, averaging 62 hours a week in a truly collegial work environment.

We feel our program’s success stems from many factors including the development of close relationships between residents, faculty and staff.  Here at SIU School of Medicine, we encourage our residents to question faculty on why things are done a certain way.  SIU is a national leader in surgical education involving frequent use of
Surgical Skills Labs and simulation.  Our academic schedule is rigorous with time dedicated each Wednesday from 8:00 until noon for Didactic Studies.  All urology faculty and residents are required to participate in the Wednesday conferences, including PGY-1 urology interns. 

Additionally, the financial success of our two hospitals allow for generous support including two DaVinci Systems (one dual counsel robot) and competitive resident salaries and benefits (loupes, books, meeting travel funding, etc.) even during tight financial times.  Most importantly, all faculty that join SIU come with the understanding that resident education rivals patient care in level of importance. 

Lastly, the medical school’s Springfield home base is an added bonus.  With a low cost of living, Springfield is a great place to raise a family.  Indeed, most residents are able to own their own homes.  Conveniently located between Chicago and St. Louis, Springfield offers a small town atmosphere with access to big city amenities. 

Urology continues to be extremely competitive where most institutions utilize board scores and clerkship grade cut points to help narrow the field. SIU Urology highly values well rounded, amiable and industrious individuals that demonstrate evidence of outstanding professionalism. We feel very fortunate that our current group of residents and select candidates focus on professionalism.  While the personal statement, letters of recommendation, completed research projects, board scores, clerkship grades and extracurricular activities are all important factors and are considered in granting interviews, how well someone fits into our program after the interview carries more weight.

	Tobias Köhler, MD., MPH Residency Program Director
	Robin Zorn Residency Coordinator