“Teaching Fellows to Think Like Experts”
Designed for knowledge transfer and a meaningful exchange of ideas, the 2025 Pediatric Urology Workshop brought together fellows and experienced physicians driven to improve the care they provide to children with complex urological conditions.
“We’re teaching fellows to think like experts,” says Pramod Reddy, MD, director, Division of Pediatric Urology at Cincinnati Children’s.
More than 100 professionals attended the March 7–9 conference in Cincinnati, exploring advancements in care, discussing complex cases and hashing out decision-making scenarios.
Workshop Highlights
The workshop encompassed a wide range of topics, such as device development, bowel management, dermatological conditions and urodynamics.
“The discussions among peers and faculty really help fellows learn how to manage these patients from a different perspective,” says urologist William DeFoor, Jr., MD, MPH. “They can speak and ask questions and weigh in on how they would do something.”
Highlights include:
- Strategies for career development. Jamila Hackworth, MSEd, EdD, director of Cincinnati Children’s Office of Academic Affairs and Career Development, discussed pathways for professional growth as an academic surgeon. Her talk focused on mentorship and the importance of having mentors from all facets of one’s life—clinical, religious and social.
- Setting up an oncology program. Amanda Buchanan, MD, chief of pediatric urology at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, shared tips on the connections and collaborations fellows should make to help develop an oncology program.
- Pediatric urodynamics. Gundela Holmdahl, MD, PhD, a pediatric surgeon specializing in urology at Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden, gave the Janszen Family Lecture. She talked about pitfalls to avoid when assessing patients with posterior urethral valves and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). She also discussed how European management of VUR differs from American management.
- Pediatric gynecology. Cincinnati Children’s Krista Childress, MD, offered insights into transitional gynecology, discussing sexual and reproductive outcomes in adult patients with anorectal malformations. Christine Pennesi, MD, discussed how vulvo-perineal conditions masquerade as dysuria.
- Epidermolysis bullosa. Reddy presented on urological consideration while managing epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare condition that many fellows are not exposed to. “They need to know about it so when they encounter a patient with EB, they are aware of the unique considerations in care management and know they can reach out to our EB Center here for any assistance they may need.”
Career Pathways
Fellows also learned about resources related to non-clinical aspects of their careers, from starting a practice to buying a house. After medical school, it takes another seven years to become a pediatric urologist. Most physicians are between 30 and 32 years old when they finish their training.
“They need real advice from people who’ve done it,” Reddy says.
Topics include contract negotiations, how to ask for protective time to complete research, making financial investments, legal considerations and money management. The relaxed setting allows for candid discussion.
