More than 70 Yale School of Medicine students were able to interactively test their abilities and learn new ones at the annual Yale Urology surgical skills fair.
“I’m delighted to see so many interested in the field,” said Isaac Kim, MD, PhD, MBA, chair and professor of urology. “The future of urology is bright with the diversity and numbers I’m seeing here.”
The yearly tradition gives medical students an up close and personal experience with the surgical discipline, and its breadth is often eye-opening.
Direct Discovery
“Although I’m leaning toward Ob/Gyn, I’m interested in the overlap with urology,” said Morgan Brinker, a second-year medical student. “I’m a visual learner, and this kind of teaching and informational event definitely speaks to me. Sometimes, I get caught up in my head and wonder, ‘Can I get it? Can I do it?’ When I’m able to jump right in and get involved, that makes all the difference.”
Medical students had the opportunity to practice several surgical skills at 12 hands-on stations, which included suture kits, BPH figures, ureteroscopes, and foley models.
“Going into the operating room and making mistakes could lead to adverse health outcomes,” said Toluwani Odu, a second-year medical student. “This allows room for mistakes in a safe space.”
Mentor Perspectives
Aside from providing students with practical experience, the event also unites student leaders, residents, fellows, and attendings, allowing them to share their perspectives.
“This is an amazing opportunity for medical students to be introduced to the urology specialty. Before I came to Yale for my residency, I didn’t have anything like this in med school,” said Stephanie Hanchuk, MD, Yale Urology chief resident. “I’m still connected to residents I met who mentored me. If I can play a small part in someone’s medical journey … it’s my honor to be here.”
Piruz Motamedinia, MD, residency program director, points out that urology isn’t a required rotation yet, making the specialty somewhat of a mystery.
“So many students don’t know much or anything about urology unless they have family members in the field or were impacted by a condition we treat,” Motamedinia said. “It’s a great surgical specialty and seeing so much interest and diversity showing up is rewarding.”
Learning Investment
Shayan Smani, president of the Yale Urology Student Interest Group [UIG], said he became interested in urology after a positive experience in the operating room during a stone case with Dr. Motamedinia.
“Two residents were assisting and clearly serious about surgery,” Smani said. “They all enjoyed being with each other. You don’t always see that with other surgical specialties.”
“Every student who rotates through this fair seems to tell me the experience was amazing,” Smani continued. “The faculty and residents are engaged, and everyone’s invested in learning.”