Earlier this month, we hosted the 2nd Annual Yale Urology Bulldog Debates at The Yale Club, our department's flagship CME event. I would like to express my gratitude to the co-directors, Drs. Angie Arlen and Stan Honig, as well as to our distinguished keynote speakers: Drs. Curtis Pettaway [MD Anderson Cancer Center], Landon Trost [Noorda College of Medicine], Jill Buckley [UCSD], and Chester Koh [Baylor College of Medicine].
The event began with the inaugural Robert M. Weiss Distinguished Alumni Medal presentation, which was awarded to Dr. Michel Pontari, resident graduate of the class of '91. Nominations for the 2025 award will open soon. Starting with next year’s Bulldog Debates, we will be extending formal invitations to graduates celebrating their 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year reunions. We will sponsor the registration fee and lodging for those who accept.
Turning to up-and-coming classes, the selection process for next year’s residents is well underway, led by Drs. Piruz Motamedinia, Angie Arlen, and Josh Sterling. This year, we are returning to an in-person interview format. I’d like to thank the faculty members who have committed three days of their busy schedules to meet with applicants. I know this is especially tough during the holiday season.
We are already making plans for the June 2025 graduation ceremony. Our visiting professor will be Chris Gonzalez, MD, MBA, Albert J. Speh Jr., and Claire R. Speh Professor and Chair of the Department of Urology at Loyola Medicine and Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. We look forward to benefiting from his extensive experience in genitourinary reconstruction.
Before graduation, we will host a special event for our donors to thank them for their support, provide updates on our research, and highlight the continued growth of our department. More details will follow soon!
There are two important clinical updates I will close with:
- IV Fluid and Irrigation Shortage: As you know, due to manufacturing challenges following the hurricane that devastated North Carolina, we continue to experience a shortage of IV fluids and irrigations. As we navigate this issue, I want to thank Drs. Dan Kellner and Jason Lee for their efforts in rescheduling HoLEP cases to help conserve supplies.
- Flu Vaccine Requirement: The deadline for the mandatory flu vaccination is December 1st [for those working in patient-facing locations]. If any member of the department requires an exemption for valid reasons, please notify my office. Otherwise, I encourage everyone to get vaccinated to protect both yourself and your loved ones.
Finally, I would like to wish each of you a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving holiday!
Isaac Yi Kim