Education
The Loyola program is structured to emphasize fellow education well beyond the normal clinical contact hours. On Wednesdays mornings, our full educational program includes a weekly journal club, surgical case conference, urodynamic review, research conference, and didactic or problem based learning (PBL) session. All FPMRS faculty, fellows and residents gather for the Wednesday teaching conferences, Didactics and PBL sessions are designed to cover the ABOG/ABU fellowship learning objectives. In addition, we go through formal curricula in biomedical writing and neurophysiologic testing. Once per month, the didactic/PBL covers a multidisciplinary topic with physical therapists, colorectal surgeons, and gastroenterologists. We also formally instruct and mentor fellows to become surgical educators. Fellows supervise weekly surgical teaching rounds with the residents, oversee resident case presentations, and are directly involved with resident education in the operating room.

Loyola offers two degree seeking graduate programs for fellows. Interested fellows are encouraged to obtain a (1) Master of Arts in Bioethics; or (2) Master of Science Degree in Clinical Research Methods during their fellowship. Fellows not enrolled in a MS degree program are required by ABOG/ABU guidelines to complete two university graduate level courses; one in quantitative techniques, such as biostatistics and the other in something relevant and of interest to the fellow. In addition, six months of each year, our fellows meet weekly with a designated biostatistician for hands-on training in database management and statistical analysis.

Believing that fellow education is paramount, all faculty have dedicated weekly academic time to meet fellows for one-and-one mentoring at the fellow’s discretion. We also believe adult education should be tailored to the individuals goals and allow off-site and overseas electives when appropriate.

Research
The Loyola program emphasizes collaboration and incorporation of research into daily clinical and academic activities, so Loyola graduates are uniquely prepared to continue independent research upon graduation. Research is an integral and fun part of both faculty and fellow life. We have a weekly fellow research conference to discuss new concepts and issues with on-going studies, as well as review study design, data management and statistical analysis. Three of our faculty have advanced degrees in clinical research and statistical analysis with special interest in research education. Ample opportunities are available to perform clinical and/or basic science research. Each trimester, we have an offsite fellow’s research retreat. During this time, faculty and fellows come together in a relaxed environment over wine and cheese to brainstorm about improving care for our patients through research. Areas of special interest include clinical trials and surgical outcomes, neuromuscular dysfunction in the etiology of pelvic floor disorders, role of urodynamics and voiding dysfunction in women with prolapse, and nocturia. In addition, our unit participates in three NIH-sponsored multicenter, clinical trial networks dedicated to pelvic floor disorders. Fellows are encouraged to participate in network activities, and two recent fellows submitted and developed multicenter protocols within one of the NIH networks. We have five full-time research coordinators and a data entry specialist to facilitate research activities.