Urologic Oncology Fellowship

The Urologic Oncology fellowship is a 2-year program accredited by the Society of Urologic Oncology that aims to train individuals for specialized careers in academic Urologic Oncology. This opportunity will offer a multidisciplinary exposure to the management of genitourinary (GU) malignancies at the NCI-designated University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, integrated with mentored career development in health services research, clinical trials, implementation & quality improvement, geriatric oncology, and translational research.

UNC-Chapel Hill is a high-volume regional and national referral center for patients with all types of GU malignancies. With regard to the clinical aspects of the program, we currently have 6 urologic oncologists, 5 medical oncologists and 3 radiation oncologists dedicated to the care of patients with GU malignancies. Our faculty members are internationally recognized for their contributions to clinical and academic GU oncology, with a comprehensive portfolio of extramurally-funded programs in translational and health services research. The Urologic Oncology surgical service is clinically busy, with an average of over 80 cancer cases per month (approximately 75% using robotic and minimally invasive techniques).

Comprehensive, Integrated GU Oncology Care

The fully integrated Multidisciplinary GU Oncology clinic, which sees nearly 2000 new cancer cases per year, will be a core component of the clinical educational program, providing the fellow with mentored training in all aspects of clinical management for patients with urologic malignancies. New cancer patients are seen jointly with urology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology faculty in the state-of-the-art North Carolina Cancer Hospital clinic. In addition to the core rotation, fellows will rotate with GU medical and radiation oncology for more in-depth training in the clinical aspects of these fields as well as with radiology and pathology.

Exceptional Academic Career Development

The University of North Carolina offers extraordinary opportunities for career development in cancer-related health services and translational research. Formal postgraduate training in biostatistics, research methods, responsible conduct of research, and grant writing are available in a well-developed infrastructure for young clinician-researchers. Fellows can pursue mentored research with urology faculty in patient-oriented research, comparative effectiveness, medical decision-making, clinical informatics, dissemination and implementation, and quality improvement. Alternatively, interested and qualified fellows will have the opportunity to work in one of several extramurally-funded basic/translational science laboratories run by program faculty in GU medical and radiation oncology. Fellows would have the option to apply for an additional third year of research and pursue formalized training in the UNC Cancer Care Quality Training Program, Cancer Control Education Program, Geriatric Oncology Program, and other postdoctoral programs in the Cancer Center and School of Public Health. Motivated individuals can also obtain a Master’s Degree from our internationally recognized, consistently top-ranked public School of Public Health in the country with the addition of a 3rd year.

Excellent Quality of Life

In addition to outstanding clinical and academic experiences supported by a collegial network of mentors and peers, the experience at UNC is enriched by a vibrant, progressive, desirable environment. The climate is pleasant, beach or mountain recreation a few hours away by car, and cost of living is reasonable.

Eligibility Requirements (one position per year)

The applicant for this training program must:

Be committed to a career in academic urology oncology
Provide evidence of excellence in academic urology and other endeavors
Be a graduate of Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)-accredited medical schools in the US and Canada or international medical graduates of equivalent international medical schools
Have completed United States Medical Licensing Examination Steps I, II, and III
Have completed or anticipate completion of an ACGME-accredited Urology residency program
Meet requirements and obtain a North Carolina medical license prior to commencing the program
Be a United States citizen or Visa eligible and able to provide proof of identity and United States Employment Eligibility (I-9)
If selected as a potential candidate for the Fellowship, the applicant will be required to fulfill conditions for UNC Faculty Appointment (Instructor Level), including Health Record Clearance, including drug screening (See UNC Drug Testing Policy) and successful completion of the UNC Application for Appointment (requires 3 reference forms, criminal background check, databank check, and signature on confidentiality agreement)

Application Process

Applicants should apply during the year preceding the final year of residency through the SUO Match (https://suonet.org/fellowships/match-program.aspx).

Please Submit Applications by February 15^th

Please submit the SUO application, CV, and three letters of recommendation to:
For more details please contact
Aleasha Crisp
Project Coordinator of Education
UNC School of Medicine | Department of Urology
Physicians Office Building
170 Manning Drive, Campus Box #7235
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7235
Aleasha_Crisp@med.unc.edu
(P) 919-966-2573 | (F) 919-843-5956

Fellowship Program Director

Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM
Assistant Professor of Urology

Fellowship Program Leadership/Faculty

Matthew Nielsen, MD, MS, FACS

Chair, Department of Urology
John Sloan Rhodes and John Flint Rhodes Distinguished Professor of Urology

Angela Smith, MD, MS

Vice Chair of Academic Affairs
Professor of Urology

Mathew Raynor, MD, FACS

Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs
Professor of Urology

Dr. Raynor’s clinical interests include minimally-invasive surgery of the urinary tract, including robotic reconstruction for ureteral strictures.

Eric Wallen, MD, FACS

Vice Chair of Education
Residency Program Director
Professor of Urologic Oncology, Robotic Surgery

Marc Bjurlin, DO, MSc, FACOS

Director of Clinical Trials
Associate Professor of Urology

Dr. Bjurlin’s practice focuses on urologic oncology and minimally-invasive surgery of the urinary tract, including robotic management of uretero-enteric strictures, bladder neck and post-prostatectomy anastomotic strictures, fistulas, and robotic-assisted inguinal lymph node dissections for cancer.