affiliated with
Rosalind Franklin University / The Chicago Medical School Physician Assistant Program

Description of NMUA
Northwest Metropolitan Urology Associates is a tertiary care group providing adult and pediatric urologic surgery services to patients throughout the Chicago area. Based at three large teaching hospitals, this group will provide resident PA’s with the opportunity to participate in the care of patients with a wide variety of urologic disorders.

History of the Residency Program
In 1998, the physicians of NMUA decided to implement a Physician Assistant Residency Program for certified Physician Assistants (PAs) who desire additional training following graduation from their formal educational program. NMUA worked closely with the The Chicago Medical School / Finch University of Health Sciences to develop the program; to gain acceptance by the two major hospitals, Resurrection and Lutheran General; and to advertise for resident applicants. This program became one of only 25 PA residency programs nationwide that provides additional training for certified PAs. NMUA belongs to the National Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs.

The first class of residents started in July 1999 and graduated in June 2000. Since then, NMUA has accepted two PAs into the program each year. Each of them, upon graduation, have become successfully employed with urological or other surgical practices.

Residency Objectives
The physician assistant resident will receive education and clinical experience in general urology as well as in the important urologic specialties. PA residents will learn to identify and care for patients with general urologic problems as well as problems within the sub-specialty fields of urologic oncology, erectile dysfunction, infertility, kidney stones, infectious disease, and urologic trauma. PA residents will also participate in the care of pediatric patients under the direction of a pediatric urologist.

Program Director: Walter Falkowski, MD, NMUA Urologist

Curriculum
The didactic and clinical curriculum are integrated. The PA resident will participate in daily teaching rounds, weekly conferences, weekly grand rounds, weekly interdisciplinary conferences, and monthly research meetings. Quarterly didactic tests are given as part of the didactic component.

The resident will participate in clinics, inpatient care and first-assist in the operating room. The resident will also be responsible for on-call activities at three participating hospitals.

Compensation: $40,000
Other Fees/Expenses/Tuition: none

Benefits: Comprehensive Health/Dental Insurance, Malpractice Insurance. Ten days paid vacation.

Housing: Arranged individually by each resident. The two main Medical Centers are located in a clean residential areas with many apartment complexes nearby.

Credentials Awarded: Upon completion of the residency program, a certificate of training will be awarded by Northwest Metropolitan Urology Associates.

Entry Requirements: Applicants must be graduates of a CAHEA approved physician assistant program and be eligible for (or have passed) the NCCPA board exams. Residents must apply for an Illinois License at the time of their acceptance into the program.

Selection Criteria
Residents will be selected on the basis of the following:

• Academic records from their Physician Assistant Program
• Two letters of recommendation (one from their PA Program Director, the other from a physician preceptor)
• A personal interview
• A strong desire to pursue continued education
  

Calendar of Events
Applications should be submitted no later than February 1. Candidates will be selected during the spring and early summer, and the one-year residency will begin July 1 unless another mutually agreeable date is selected.