Our pediatric urology team provides nationally ranked clinical care while training the next generation of pediatric urologists. Our two-year urology fellowship program is accredited by the Societies for Pediatric Urology (SPU). Only the top programs in the U.S. receive this distinction. We are also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Pediatric Urology Fellowship Overview
Our two-year pediatric urology fellowship includes:
- Basic science or clinical research: Fellows can choose the research type that aligns with their interests. During their research year, fellows attend classes at the University of Southern California (USC) and earn a formal certificate stating their achievements in research.
- Advanced clinical experience: Our fellows work alongside our expert physicians to provide leading-edge pediatric urology care. With our high clinical volume, fellows gain a wide range of experience treating patients who come from all over the world. Our fellows gain knowledge and experience for independent practice and subspecialty training in pediatric urology.
- Subspecialty training: Our doctors are subspecialists in pediatric urology who work closely together to find the best treatment for each child. Fellows have an opportunity to learn from each subspecialist and be a part of our collaborative team. Meet our pediatric urology team.
- Set up for success: Our program offers fellows the research and academic infrastructure they need to succeed. We can alter the graduate coursework or develop new research relationships to facilitate a fellow’s interests.
- Deep clinical experience: We attract patients from a large geographic area in Southern California, so you work with a wide variety of urologic conditions. We also enjoy a diverse, multicultural patient population.
Year 1 Overview: Research
Fellows dedicate the first year of their fellowship to research and preparation for a career in academic medicine. During this year, fellows have no clinical responsibilities. Fellows choose clinical or basic science research topics. Highlights of year 1 include:
- 15 hours of graduate-level courses at USC toward a Graduate Certificate in clinical, biomedical and translational investigations
- Attendance at educational conferences and conference preparation
- Busy basic science lab with three PhD principal investigators
- Mentoring from clinical and research faculty
- PhD clinical research coordinator who assists fellows with clinical projects
Meet our Pediatric Urology research team.
Year 2 Overview: Clinical
Fellows devote their second year of their fellowship to clinical pediatric urology at CHLA (no satellite hospitals or clinics). During this year, fellows:
- Assist with and perform surgery
- Attend clinics
- Help with back-up call on evenings and weekends (no primary call)
- Mentor residents
- Prepare for clinical conferences
- Run the inpatient pediatric urology service at CHLA
- Work with all CHLA urology faculty members to help provide multidisciplinary care with other specialties
Our clinical experience at CHLA is robust. We cover all aspects of pediatric urology diagnosis and treatment, including:
- Complex reconstruction
- Disorders of sexual differentiation
- Exstrophy/epispadias
- Gender affirming care of transgender youths and young adults
- Kidney stones
- Oncology
- Routine pediatric urological surgery
- Spina bifida
Meet our clinical faculty team.
Fast Facts About the Pediatric Urology Fellowship Program
CHLA’s Pediatric Urology Fellowship is an invaluable experience for future academic pediatric urologists. Facts about the program include:
- Accredited by ACGME and SPU
- One fellow accepted per year
- Two-year program with research and clinical emphasis
- Urology residency postgraduate training required
- U.S. citizenship not required
Salary minimums for pediatric urology fellows:
- Post Graduate Year 4: $78,531 minimum
- Post Graduate Year 5: $81,677 minimum
- Post Graduate Year 6: $84,712 minimum
- Post Graduate Year 7: $87,652 minimum
- Post Graduate Year 8: $90,952 minimum
- Post Graduate Year 9+: Please contact gme@chla.usc.edu
Benefits include:
- Health and dental insurance
- 14 days paid vacation and 6 personal days
- Yearly educational stipend
Application Process
Fellows can begin the application process through the Societies for Pediatric Urology online fellowship application. You may register for the match through the American Urological Association. We accept applications until May 1 each year.
To apply for our program, email your application materials to Scott Sparks or fax them to 323-361-8034.
Contact Us
If you have questions about our fellowship program, contact us:
- Email: Scott Sparks, pediatric urology fellowship program director
- Email: Karla Canela, pediatric urology fellowship program coordinator
- Phone: 323-361-2247
- Fax: 323-361-8034