Robotic & MIS Urology Fellowship Program

Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University Health System

Fellowship Directors

Koon Ho Rha, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Department of Urology, Yonsei University College of Medicine

Office: +82-2-2228-2310

FAX: +82-2-312-2538

E-mail: KHRHA@yuhs.ac

Woong Kyu Han, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Department of Urology, Yonsei University College of Medicine

Office: +82-2-2228-2310

FAX: +82-2-312-2538

E-mail: HANWK@yuhs.ac

General Information of Yonsei University Health System

Yonsei University Health System

(YUHS) was founded in 1885 as the

first modern medical institution in

Korea by the American medical

missionary, Dr. Horace N. Allen. It

began as a small hospital under the

name of Kwanghyewon, which

changed to Chejungwon and now it

is called Severance Hospital. As the

hospital expanded over the years to include various colleges and research centers, Yonsei University

Health System was born. YUHS has been a leader of medicine and is respected as a protector of

Korean health. Furthermore, under the roots of Christianity, all modern medical education and

medical care in Korea can be associated with YUHS.

YUHS is led by Dr. Chul Lee, CEO and President, who also serves as Vice-President for Health

Sciences of Yonsei University. The institution consists of 2 graduate schools (Public Health and

Nursing), 3 colleges (Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing) and 5 hospitals (Severance Hospital,

Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yongin Severance Hospital, Severance Mental Health Hospital, and the

Dental Hospital).

There are approximately 7,000 employees throughout the Health System, which include

approximately 2,000 physicians

and 5,000 support personnel. In

addition, 24,000 students have

graduated from the colleges and

graduate schools of YUHS. The

hospitals have around 3,000 beds

and see 3 million outpatients and

1 million inpatients annually.

The total lot size is 77 acres with

a building size of 59,508m²

(640,538ft²), and a total floor

area of 462,840m² (4.98 million

ft²).

All facilities under YUHS are modern with the state-of-the-art medical equipment, and are operated

by a ubiquitous information system that digitally links all organizations together efficiently. With

these infrastructures, YUHS continues to develop by balancing education, research and patient care,

which together are helping YUHS to realize its mission “With the love of God, free humankind from

disease and suffering”.

Based on more than 120 years of experience in medicine, YUHS will strive to become a leader in the

industrialization and globalization of medicine, thus helping it to achieve its goal of becoming the

medical hub of Northeast Asia.

For more information, visit http://www.yuhs.or.kr/en/

Severance Robot and MIS Center

In June 2009, the Severance Hospital and

Intuitive Surgical opened the Severance Robot

and MIS (minimally-invasive surgery) Center

for health professionals who want to discover

and gain hands-on experience with the various

aspects of minimally-invasive surgery.

The Severance Robot and MIS Center offers

specialized training modules in laparoscopy,

single site surgery and robotic surgery for

general surgeons and specialty surgeons.

Programs for operating room nurses are also

available. We are equipped with facilities for

animal and cadaveric skills laboratories and

have one da Vinci Si system and one da Vinci

S-HD system specifically set aside for training

purposes. We are the first robotic training

center in Korea, the second in Asia (the first

was in Hong Kong) and are aiming to become the central hub of robotic training in the world.

Since introducing the da Vinci surgical system to Korea in July 2005, the Severance Hospital robotic

program has been steadily growing. This is due to the combined efforts of the various surgical

departments involved in robotic surgery. Our Urology, general surgery, gynecology, thoracic surgery,

cardiovascular surgery, otorhinolaryngology, and pediatric surgery departments have performed a total

of more than 9500 robotic operations.

A number of these procedures were with foreign patients who undergo robotic operations through the

international patient clinic of the Severance Hospital. Surgeons from all around the world visit

annually to observe the robotic cases.

For more information, visit http://robotmis.iseverance.com/

Program Description

This is a one year training program under the guidance of a

clinical Professor. During fellowship, our fellow is expected to

participate in conferences, operations and research endeavors of

the appointed clinical Professor and the Department of Urology.

He/she will participate in weekly department conferences that

discuss the relevant cases of the previous week and weekly

meetings with the department of radiology that discuss the

important imaging modalities in some of the more perplexing cases. These meetings are moderated by

the clinical Professors of the department, thereby offering a wealth of expert knowledge on various

topics in urology.

The clinical component of the training gives emphasis on the development of advanced technical

skills during minimally invasive surgery. Our fellow is expected to be familiar with the different

techniques and proper use of instruments in endourologic, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. The

participant will be exposed to the latest available instruments and technology in minimally invasive

surgery. Our minimally invasive operating room suite boasts of three da Vinci S and one da Vinci Si

robotic systems designated for the use of urologic surgeons. Our fellow is not limited to participating

only in the surgeries of his/her assigned Professor. Because of the availability of clinical Professors

who are experts on a variety of surgical techniques, our fellow is free to interact with them and tailor

his/her experience according to what he/she thinks will help him/her become more successful.

In addition to clinical work, our fellow is expected to actively participate in research. Because of our

robust clinical experience, our fellow has access to a wealth of

prospectively maintained data bases that facilitates data gathering

and paper construction. Our department has a good track record

when it comes to producing abstracts for local and international

urological conferences such as those conducted by the Korean

Urology Association, European Association of Urology and

American Urological Association.

Research Facilities

Our fellow will have access to our biomedical research facility wherein comprehensive animal studies

can be performed. Newly built in 2013, our brand new state-of-the-art facility houses our robotic

training center. The focus of the laboratory efforts will be on endourological, laparoscopic, and

robotic research. This facility has four operating rooms, all fully equipped to perform laparoscopic

and robotic surgeries as well as a highly competent specialized staff. There are two da Vinci robotic

systems available for training and experimental purposes. With this facility, prospective experimental

trials using animal models are possible, providing another avenue for research design and publication.

Responsibilities

Our fellow is expected to be knowledgeable of the history, pertinent laboratory and radiological

results of patients under his/her assigned Professor. Our fellow is not placed on faculty call rotation

but, will be included in all other activities of the department such as attending conferences,

participating in operations and preparing manuscripts during the training program.

Teaching and Training

Candidates must at least be board eligible urologists.

Vacation and Educational Leave Policy

Our fellow is encouraged to take leaves of absences for vacation or educational purposes with the

approval of his assigned Professor. Educational leave is not considered as vacation if the participant is

presenting the results of research or if is undergoing clinical training as part of an education program.

Expenses during local or international meetings can be funded by the department only if there are

funds available.

Yearly Clinical Volume of Procedures

Procedures Volume

PCNL 40

Ureteroscopic procedures 150

SWL 190

Laparoscopic procedures 210

Video-assisted minilaparotomy surgery 180

LESS or NOTES 20

Robotic procedures 330