It was great to formally celebrate the start of summer with everyone at our annual picnic two weekends ago at Lyman Orchards.

And I continue to celebrate your hard work and commitment to patients. Others notice the difference you make, as well. Please join me in congratulating Jeffrey Carbonella, MD, PGY-4, who was selected as Consultant of the Month by the pediatric emergency department. The committee who chooses this award is comprised of nurses, physicians, and APPs within the Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Dr. Carbonella was recognized for his compassionate care, empathy, and clear communication.

Turning to one of our centerpiece events for both in-house team building and outreach, you may now register and book your hotel for the 3rd Annual Bulldog Debates in NYC. This destination CME symposium is also where the next Robert M. Weiss Distinguished Alumni awardee will be revealed and honored. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration Link: m.yale.edu/bulldog-debates-2025

Finally, here are a few additional dates to be aware of through this calendar year, before you read on about other happenings and accomplishments:

• Urology Student Interest Group Research Night: September 24
• Provider Training--Treating Patients with Varying Physical Abilities: October 3
• Urology Student Interest Group Surgical Skills Night: October 22
• Bulldog Debates: November 7-9
• Residency Interviews: November 21, 22, and 24
• Pediatric Visiting Professor Day with Kate Kraft, MD, MHPE, University of Michigan: December 12

Best wishes for the rest of your summer!

Isaac Yi Kim

Three Yale Urology physician assistants recently contributed to the journal, Physician Assistant Clinics, Urology Edition. Molly Band, MHS, PA-C, and Victor Quintanilla, MMSc, PA-C, served as guest editors of the “Urologic Care, Spanning All Ages, Genders, and Races” section. And Jamille Rancourt, MHS, PA-C, wrote this article on “Pediatric Urology: Voiding Dysfunction and Neurogenic Bladder.”

Yale Urology continues to grow as a destination center for those seeking the minimally invasive procedure, Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) - an effective treatment that counters the serious quality of life effects that an enlarged prostate can cause.

From a patient's point of view, hear how life changing HoLEP can be and why Daniel Kellner, MD, and Jason Lee, MD, have focused their professional careers on performing the surgery in this new Yale Medicine article.

Greenwich Hospital now offers HoLEP, as well, through Christopher Bednarz, MD. Learn more on why leadership is committed to expanding this kind of advanced care across Yale New Haven Health.

Please note the grand rounds' topic schedule for 2025-26.

Yale Urology's grand rounds is typically held every Friday morning (except the third Friday of the month), 7-8 a.m., in Yale School of Medicine's Beaumont Room, SHM L-221A. A virtual option is also available.

Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale Urology continue to be competitive in the national U.S. News & World Report hospital rankings. The listing for 2025-26 was released earlier this week. The urology specialty remains among the top programs in the country and is still the best in Connecticut. Learn more in this Yale New Haven Health news release.

ATTENTION FACULTY INVOLVED IN ACADEMIC EDUCATION (particularly those with major responsibility for assessment of residents and fellows): Registration is now open for the Yale 4-part development course on faculty competency in assessment. It happens virtually on Sept. 11 and 18; and in-person on Sept. 24 and 25 at 35 York Street.

Highlights include:

• Goals and principles of Competency-based Medical Education (from milestones to Entrustable Professional Activity [EPAs])
• Practical application of multiple assessment methods and tools
• How to create effective assessment systems
• Providing effective feedback
• Direct observation: Feedback on your Feedback!
• Self–regulated learning: What is its role in resident and student education?
• Clinical Competency Committee Management

[Re]read the message from Dean Nancy J. Brown, MD, which includes a few Yale School of Medicine exceptions to the recent 90-day, university-wide hiring pause announcement.

[Re]read the communication from President Maurie McInnis on a potential endowment tax increase and what that may mean for Yale.

Adam Hittelman, MD, PhD, was part of the recent Yale New Haven Children's Hospital "teddy bear clinic" at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. The community event invited kids to bring their favorite stuffed animals for a "wellness check."

Photo provided by Beardsley Zoo

Joseph Renzulli, MD, recently shared with MedPage Today why a multidisciplinary approach is key when "Intensifying Hormonal Therapy for Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer."

Watch the 2-minute video.

Timothy Tran, MD, and Joseph Heineman, MD, made the front page of a recent The Day edition (a New London area news publication) for the new Aquablation procedure Yale Urology now offers at L+M Hospital.

The article may require a subscription/sign up to view

Michael Leapman, MD, MHS (pictured in front row, far right), was the keynote speaker at Yale Cancer Center's recent 8th Annual Trainee Colloquium. The regular event is part of the center's Cancer Research Training and Coordination or CRTEC program, which brings together trainees and students from the greater New Haven area.

Daniel Kellner, MD, compiled some of what he presented at this year's American Urological Association meeting in this VuMedi video. He discusses "Treatment Strategies for Failed MIST Therapies - the Role of HoLEP."