I’d like to start my first official message of the new year with some exciting funding news. Earlier this month, Chief Executive Officer of Yale Medicine, Margaret McGovern, MD, PhD, announced the “Passion Project” - a new program through the aligned clinician enterprise (ACE) that encourages eligible* providers to apply for project funding related to clinician wellness. Those selected will receive up to $20,000 in seed funding. Details are available on the YSM/YNHHS Alignment site. Please submit applications to emily.kiesel@yale.edu by Feb. 15.

*Physicians and APPs employed by Yale School of Medicine or Northeast Medical Group (NEMG) who spend at least 80% of their time in clinical care are eligible.

Join me in celebrating Ahmad Bani Hani, MD, who has been appointed to the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England’s Board of Directors for a three-year term. This is a great honor and says volumes about the leadership and expertise of Yale Urology’s pediatric division.

Nominations are now being accepted through June 1 for the annual Robert M. Weiss Distinguished Alumni Award. Use this online application to nominate a resident alumnus who embodies the spirit of the department across all three academic missions and has been in practice for at least 10 years.

Please save these dates for upcoming events hosted by Yale Urology. More information and invitations to follow:

April 24: Inaugural Yale Urology On the Sound Summit: Prostate Care, a CME event to be held at Greenwich Hospital, featuring keynote speaker Daniel Lin, MD, interim chair of urology at the University of Washington

May 16: Yale Urology Alumni Reception at the AUA

June 25: Bernard Lytton Visiting Professor Day and Graduation, featuring Eila Skinner, MD, professor and chair of urology at Stanford University School of Medicine

As we begin 2026, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your continued commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and research. On behalf of the leadership team, I wish you and your loved ones a healthy, fulfilling, and successful new year.

Isaac Yi Kim

View the latest Yale Urology research work in this NEW quarterly report based on October through December 2025 publication dates. Abstract summaries and full studies are available.

Other Research Notes of Interest

• Jiyeon Kim, PhD, reflects on maintaining a work-life balance while pursuing scientific discoveries and navigating the publishing process as a senior author in this Nature Metabolism Career Pathways series.

Bladder Cancer Clinical Trials

• CONSOLIdATE-1. PI: Fed. Ghali, MD
• ABLE-22. PI: Fed Ghali, MD
• Study of FX-909. PI: Daniel Petrylak, MD

Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials

• PRISM. PI: Michael Leapman, MD, MHS
• CAPTAIN. PI: Sandeep Arora, MBBS

Attention ALL faculty, staff, and trainees with a Yale School of Medicine (YSM) ID card: If your ID was issued on or before July 1, 2025, you need a new one. Your current badge will be deactivated on Feb. 17.

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Stamford recently began its first official in-person Multidisciplinary Prostate Cancer Clinic. Bruce McGibbon, MD (radiation oncology); William Oh, MD (medical oncology); and Michael Karellas, MD (urology), were all on site to meet with patients.

Preston Sprenkle, MD, was the first in the U.S. to complete 100 Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) procedures on the prostate, according to industry manufacturers.

He was one of the early adopters of the ablation technology that has now become generally accepted for the focal treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Marianne Casilla-Lennon, MD, and Chief Resident Sharath Reddy, MD, completed the first Implantable Peripheral Neurostimulator for Incontinence in Connecticut.

The FDA-approved device is considered a long-lasting treatment option for those with overactive bladder.

Dean Nancy J. Brown, MD, shares the 2026 Yale School of Medicine (YSM) Strategic Plan.

Yale School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Health are launching a new program, the Passion Project, for eligible* providers. Those selected will receive up to $20,000 in seed funding, thanks to a generous donor who is passionate about clinician wellness. Applications are due Feb. 15.

*Physicians and APPs employed by Yale School of Medicine or Northeast Medical Group (NEMG) who spend at least 80% of their time in clinical care are eligible.

The Office of Physician-Scientist and Scientist Development is accepting nominations for the Fund for Physician-Scientist Mentorship Awards.

The fund was created in 2023 to recognize, honor, and promote the activity of mentorship for those who have served as exemplary role models and mentors for physician-scientists at Yale School of Medicine.

Poster abstracts for Medical Education Day at Yale (Med Ed Day) are now being accepted. The deadline is Feb. 16.

The 32nd Annual Hunger & Homelessness Auction website is now open for submission of auction items and monetary donations.

Every year since 1993, the Yale School of Medicine Hunger & Homelessness Auction has raised thousands of dollars to support organizations in the New Haven area that seek to alleviate poverty in our community.

All are welcome to the auction itself on Feb. 20, 6 p.m., at Cafe Med in Harkness Hall.

Fed Ghali, MD, discusses the CONSOLIdaTE-01 trial with Urology Times. The phase two trial for patients with bladder cancer assesses the role for consolidative local therapy following disease control on the antibody drug conjugate and immunotherapy agent, EV/P.

Stanton Honig, MD, was a panel member advising on the 2026 vasectomy guidelines for the American Urological Association.

Timothy Tran, MD, and a recent aquablation patient were featured in this testimonial about the success of the procedure for BPH.

Several members of our faculty team were active at the 26th Annual Society of Urologic Oncology Conference.

• Michael Leapman, MD, MHS, and Wei Shen Tan, MD, PhD, were on the platform as panelist and presenter, respectively.
• Fed Ghali, MD, and Preston Sprenkle, MD, also showcased some of their latest work at the uro onc gathering in Arizona.

Marianne Casilla-Lennon, MD, and Alejandra Barreto, MS2, recently conducted a urology-specific workshop for the SRC OR staff as part of the hospital's monthly education offerings. The teaching session included:

• a detailing of key endoscopic urologic procedures
• an explanation of why fluid management during cystoscopic procedures is important
• and the naming of different instruments and products typically asked for when in surgery

The expansion of Yale Urology's services at 55 Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich was featured in a Yale New Haven Health's "Around the System" news update. Watch the video to see the ribbon cutting.

Residents, faculty, research associates, and staff hit the pickleball court for a recent wellness event in New Haven.

Far from arch rivals, Yale School of Medicine students and friends, Shayan Smani and Sisi Zheng, are both looking to match to a urology program next week.

They met up in St. Louis late last year while on the interview trail. Best of luck!

(Re)watch the 2025 holiday message from Chair Isaac Kim, MD, PhD, MBA.