UF Urology
Department of Urology - Welcome from the Chair!
Let me begin by saying, “Thank You” for the warm welcome I have received since joining the University of Florida Department of Urology in July. Throughout my new role, I have enjoyed the opportunity to speak with many of you. I have received many inquiries regarding activities in the department, as well as interest in the vision for its future.
The establishment of a department was a critical step for the UF College of Medicine to define and recognize urology as an independent field of medicine. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this effort and provide its initial direction. With this letter, I want to highlight some of the most recent developments that may be of interest to you.
Faculty Recruitment: One of our priorities is to recruit faculty to expand and broaden our services. Our goal is to build a culture that expects high quality care and thereby attracts and retains the best and brightest urologic surgeons. We are pleased with the interest our new department is generating on a national level.
- Since July, we have added three clinical faculty - all “American Foundation of Urologic Disease Scholars” - with sub-specialization in urologic oncology.
- We are actively recruiting several candidates with specialty expertise in pediatric urology, male infertility, female urology and endourology/laparoscopy. We are hopeful that all of our critical positions will be filled within the next two years.
Clinical Enhancements: We are adding new services and multidisciplinary clinics to provide the highest level of patient care that is expected from a premier academic medical center.
- Beginning in January, we will offer a multi-specialty cancer clinic in collaboration with our colleagues from Radiation Oncology. A medical GU oncologist has been recruited to participate in this multidisciplinary effort upon joining our faculty in 2007.
- A new procedure room in the Urology Clinic at the Shands Medical Plaza will soon be available to accommodate minor surgical and diagnostic procedures.
- A minimally invasive surgery program that supports clinical procedures, provides opportunities to develop innovative technologies and enhances our resident and fellowship training programs is being established.
- Immediately, we are providing cryosurgery or high frequency radioablation (HIFU) to patients with prostate and renal malignancies.
- Beginning in Spring 2007, we will offer robot-assisted laparoscopy procedures using the daVinci Surgical System. Special emphasis will be placed on developing new surgical techniques leading to optimal oncologic outcomes, while minimizing morbidity.
- An innovative clinical trial using a vascular targeted, minimally invasive treatment approach for prostate cancer (Tookad) is expected to launch in Summer 2007.
- In view of our ongoing recruitment efforts, we expect further expansion of our urology clinical services, especially in areas other than urologic oncology.
Access Improvements: We are implementing practice models to improve service for our referring and community physicians, patients and our faculty.
- We have significantly expanded our outpatient services at Shands Medical Plaza to provide better access to our patients. We have increased our clinic space from six to 12 examination rooms. Please contact the Urology Clinic at (352) 265-8240, if you have a patient with a urologic condition.
- Our UF Urology Web Site (www.urology.ufl.edu) is being updated to include important information about urologic diseases, our faculty, services and the mechanisms available to refer patients for consultations or for information to enroll in one of our clinical trials.
- By January 2007, renovation of our office space will be completed on the second floor of the Stetson Medical Sciences Building, providing an attractive and functional work environment for new physicians, nursing staff and administrative personnel.
Research: A world-class research effort is essential to any program that wants to compete on a national level.
- We have approximately 10,000 square feet of fully equipped research space and access to core resources, including a ‘state of the art’ cell manufacturing facility to support the department’s clinical trials in prostate and renal cancer in the recently opened UF Cancer and Genetics Research Building.
- Our research efforts include one of the nation’s largest NIH-funded translational research programs among clinical urology departments. This research is focused on the development of novel cancer therapies by moving new scientific concepts from the bench to the bedside.
- Reflecting this strength in translational medicine, several investigator-initiated clinical trials testing innovative therapies, such as cancer vaccines, RNA-based therapeutics, or stem cell-based technologies have already been designed and are expected to launch in March 2007.
Community Outreach: This remarkable expansion of the Department of Urology represents a first step towards becoming one of the premier urology programs in this country. We recognize that partnerships with community physicians and other hospitals will be vital to our long-term success and to the delivery of the highest quality of care to the patients we serve. We are fully committed to collaborating with community urologists. Partnership and mutual respect will be the guiding principle of these collaborations which will facilitate patient referrals and access to clinical trials, improve physician and resident education, and bring the advantages of academic medicine to the physicians serving patients of our community.
UF Urology will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2008. The program has produced many outstanding individuals with significant contributions to our specialty. We would like to acknowledge their considerable efforts in paving the way for this present opportunity. Building on our history, we are poised to create a premier program that will shape the future of urologic medicine through discovery, development and delivery of the best healthcare for our Florida community and beyond.
If you wish to receive more information regarding our program or are interested in a visit, please call me directly at (352) 273-6815. I would be delighted to give you a tour of our new facilities and talk more about our clinical and research programs
Sincerely,
Johannes Vieweg, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor and Chairman
Department of Urology