The University of Chicago is one of the leading academic institutions in the United States, designated a ‘Top Teaching Hospital’ by leading industry watchdog Leapfrog Group. The Section of Urology shares in this heritage as a result of the work of Dr. Charles Huggins, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1966 for his discovery of hormone therapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The section continues this commitment to excellence in clinical practice.

Sarah Faris, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery
The goals of our residency program are to provide excellent comprehensive clinical training in all aspects of urology and to create an atmosphere for discovery. Thus, we endeavor to provide our residents with the best training in clinical urology while enabling them to advance the science of urology through investigation.
To achieve these goals, the faculty are committed to developing an organized program of diverse clinical activities, a rigorous and comprehensive conference schedule, guidance and support in clinical activities, and supervision commensurate with the resident’s level of ability in clinical patient care. In general, the PGY-4 residents are expected to conduct scientific research in the same manner as basic science graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. This enables them to develop a genuine understanding of scientific methodology and the execution of independent research.
To apply for the Urology Residency training program position at the University of Chicago Medicine, applicants must have one of the following qualifications:
- Be a graduate of a United States or Canadian medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
- Be a graduate of United States osteopathic medicine college accredited by the American Osteopathic Association
- Be a graduate of medical school located outside the United States or Canada
Applicants must also have one of the following:
- Current valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical
- Graduated prior to appointment
- Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Illinois
- Be a graduate of medical school outside the United States who has completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME accredited medical school
2023 Resident Interviews will be taking place on Thursday, November 16th and Friday, November 17th.
Selected applicants are interviewed by the program director and/or chair of the department, as designated by each department. Applicants are interviewed by faculty members and other program representative as designated by the training program written criteria. The program’s selection committee reviews the evaluation of applicant interviews and credentials.
Program directors may send applications for training programs to candidates at their discretion, as long as ACGME requirements, federal, and state nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws, orders, and regulations are met. Applicants are chosen according to criteria established by the individual programs.
These criteria include, but are not limited to:
- Preparedness
- Ability
- Aptitude
- Academic Credentials
- Communication Skills
- Personal Qualities such as motivation and integrity
The Medical Center and the individual programs shall not discriminate against any person in the selection or promotion process because of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, national origin, ancestry, age, parental status, disabled status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification, in accordance with applicable law.

Caleb Cooper, MD
PGY-5 (Chief)
Undergraduate: Indiana University
Medical School: Indiana University

Matthew Sloan, MD
PGY-5 (Chief)
Undergraduate: University of Illinois-Urbana
Medical School: University of Iowa

Jared Fialkoff, MD
PGY-5 (Chief)
Undergraduate: University of Rochester
Medical School: Rush Medical College

Behdod Katebian, MD
PGY-5 (Chief)
Undergraduate: University of California-San Diego
Medical School: University of Southern California

Hernan Lescay, MD
PGY-4
Undergraduate: Andrews University
Medical School: Central Michigan College

Kristina Gam, MD
PGY-4
Undergraduate: University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University

David Nusbaum, MD
PGY-4
Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: University of Southern California

Anjali Shekar, MD
PGY-4
Undergraduate: University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University

Margrett Gannon, MD
PGY-3
Undergraduate: Iowa State University
Medical School: University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

Adrianna Lee, MD
PGY-3
Undergraduate: Rice University
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine

Devki Shukla, MD
PGY-3
Undergraduate: Indiana University
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Joshua Cabral, MD
PGY-2
Undergraduate: University of Miami
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine

David Kim, MD
PGY-2
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Medical School: Yale University Scholl of Medicine

Gregory Raster, MD
PGY-2
Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine

Safiya-Hana Belbina, MD
PGY-1
Undergraduate: University of Arkansas
Medical School: University of Texas at Austin Dell

Nathan Graham, MD
PGY-1
Undergraduate: University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Medical School: University of Michigan

Alexandra Hernandez Perez, MD
PGY-1
Undergraduate: University of Florida Gainesville
Medical School: University of Florida
Year in Residency | Rotation |
---|---|
PGY-1 | During the intern year, 4 months are spent on adult urology at the main campus and 8 months are spent rotating through various surgical services including cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, transplant surgery, vascular surgery, ICU, general surgery and others. |
PGY-2 | The year is spent at the main campus on adult urology for 12 months and the focus of training during this year is learning how to do endoscopic surgery and basic laparoscopic, robotic and open procedures on the adult service. |
PGY-3 | This year is split between adult urology at the main campus (4 months), West Side VA (4 months) and North Shore Hospital (4 months). The focus of training is honing skills in more advanced surgical procedures and the development of increasing independence in caring for patients both in and outside of the operating room. |
PGY-4 | Residents at this level spend 4 months on pediatric urology at the main campus, 6 months on adult urology at the main campus and 2 months at the Jessie Brown VA. The focus of training during this year is learning how to perform more advanced robotic, laparoscopic and open surgical procedures, as well as continued independence in managing patients surgically and non-surgically. |
PGY-5 | The chief residency year is spent on adult urology at the main campus (8 months) and North Shore Hospital (4 months). During this year, chief residents are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the urology service and become proficient in the most complex urologic procedures. |
Throughout the residency, you will be rotating between 4 campuses:
- Adult Urology Main Campus
- Pediatric Urology Main Campus (Comer)
- Evanston/North Shore Campus
- Jesse Brown VA Hospital
In fiscal year 2019, the Section of Urology has:
- Performed 2,553 surgical cases
- Held 14,141 clinic appointments
After significant consideration, the University of Chicago will now be accepting 4th year visiting medical students.
We are in the process of organizing virtual Townhalls with information about our Urology residency program where you will be able to interact with our residents for a Q&A after a brief information session. Please check out the "Townhalls and Informations sessions - Zoom " tab for additional information.
The Underrepresented in Medicine Visiting Clerkship Program (UiMVCP) is co-sponsored by the Pritzker School of Medicine and the UChicago Medicine Office of Graduate Medical Education.
This competitive program provides mentoring, networking, and stipend support for fourth-year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine as defined by the AAMC or are interested in addressing health inequities and social determinants of health.
Program overview
- Stipend of up to $2,000 to support costs associated with participation in the visiting rotation (participants receive their stipend after they complete the visiting rotation)
- Clerkship rotation at UChicago Medicine
- Opportunities to network with University of Chicago faculty, interns, residents, and students
- Welcome session with representatives from GME, Housestaff Diversity Committee, and Co-Directors of GME Diversity Equity & Inclusion
Eligibility Criteria
- Full-time, fourth-year medical students in good standing at LCME-accredited US medical schools.
- Fourth-year US medical students who are under- represented in medicine, have demonstrated
a commitment to working with underserved populations, OR have demonstrated a commitment to working with issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, social determinants of health, and health inequities.
Application Process
- Apply through VSLO for your clinical rotation(s) at UChicago Medicine
- Download the UiMVCP application, complete, and upload as part of your application in VSLO to UiMVCP 99000—Underrepresented in Medicine Visiting Clerkship Program—this is in addition to your clerkship application(s).
- Students can start applying through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) system on April 1, 2023. Submissions prior to April 15, 2023 will be considered for a priority notification on May 1, 2023.
Questions about VSLO or the process should be directed to visiting.pritzker@bsd.uchicago.edu.

Section of Urology Clinical Trial Unit (SUCTU)
Mission Statement: Efficiently execute modest-sized, investigator-initiated, clinically-impactful randomized clinical trials (RCT’s)
Goals
- Rigorously evaluate current clinical management strategies or surgical techniques
- Be an incubator for testing novel diagnostic, surgical, or peri-operative modifications
- Provide a platform to augment trainee education, experience, and scholarship
- Infuse a culture of clinical trial accrual within the Section of Urology
- Enhance research productivity/reputation of the Section, Department, and UCM
- Improve quality of urologic care locally, nationally, and internationally
- Be a scalable blueprint for other U of C surgical specialties
Value
- Meaningful trainee/faculty/sectional/department scholarship
- Improvement of clinical care at U of C (and elsewhere)
- Trainee Education
- Opportunity for cost saving at U of C (and elsewhere) by implementing RCT findings
Clinical Trials
The Section of Urology currently have active clinical trials in bladder and prostate cancer. Please click here for more information.
- Why UChicago Medicine
- Tours
- Urology Resident Tour
- Medical Center Tour
- Moving to Chicago
- UChicago Medicine Urology
- Meet our Faculty
You can also visit our previous events on Youtube at the link below.
Check out our Youtube Page for more information.
In our Section of Urology within the Department of Surgery, we have developed a training program that draws from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that in order to effectively serve the broad patient population of Chicagoland and particularly the southside of Chicago, that understanding the inequalities in care and perceptions of health and illness of our patients has a real impact on their individual health care outcomes. Our section values and welcomes the opportunity to continue to grow the diversity of our faculty and trainees that will only help serve our patients.
Our core faculty attend annual implicit bias training workshops before interview season, adopt fair practices in recruitment and retention, and encourage our trainees to engage with our Department’s and Division’s programming and wellness support in the realms of diversity and inclusion. Our DEI Steering Committee hosts a number of events for faculty and trainees throughout the year to promote examination of implicit bias and conversation surrounding structural racism; these efforts include a monthly Cultural Competencies discussion, promotion of events for specific identity groups, and sponsored lectures that bring topics in health justice to our department.
The Department of Surgery has initiated in 2022 the Ulysses Grant Dailey Surgical Society. The mission of this society, named after the great African-American surgeon, writer and scholar who greatly impacted South Side Chicago Medicine, is to foster meaningful mentorship opportunities for our URiM trainees and thus promote career success through active engagement, improved access, and professional support within the Department’s GME programs. The Section of Urology looks forward to participating and encourages our trainees and faculty to explore this great opportunity.
Ulysses Grant Dailey Mentorship Society
•We have created a new society, named after the great African-American surgeon, writer and scholar, who greatly impacted the South Side Chicago Medicine
•The goal of the society is to foster meaningful mentor-mentee relationships between our faculty and URiM trainees in the Department of Surgery to promote career success through active engagement, improved access, and professional support
•Any interested residents/fellows should contact Claire Stone (Education and Communications manager) by email no later than September 1, 2022 (cstone@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu)

Helpful Links:
SWIU (Society of Women in Urology): https://swiu.org/home.aspx
R. Frank Jones Urological Society: https://blackurologistssociety.org/