UH Urology: Hot Ones with Dr. Lee Ponsky- Chairman

Dr. Lee Ponsky's father was a chairman of surgery at University Hospitals and other hospitals, and first recommended urology to him during medical school.

Dr. Ponsky's father observed that urologists "walk around, they seem like they're having a good time, they have a good sense of humor, and they seem happy."

During medical school, Dr. Ponsky observed pediatric urologist Jack Elder performing a neobladder procedure while listening to Howard Stern, and the inclusive, non-intimidating environment convinced him to pursue urology.

The idealism that brings people into medicine gets "pushed down" or "hidden" during training as residents focus on patient care, learning, and administrative tasks.

MedWish is a nonprofit that collects unused medical supplies and sets up hospitals and clinics in developing countries.

Dr. Ponsky started a tattoo removal company and a medical device company through social entrepreneurism.

Dr. Ponsky told a faculty member not to come in to see consults on July 4th, stating he was on call and the faculty should be home with family.

The sabbatical allowed Dr. Ponsky to learn about MRI of the prostate, which changed his academic career and led to an R01 research grant based on initial work done in Australia.

The sabbatical established new friendships, research ideas, clinical practices, and international collaborations that continue.

Dr. Ponsky gave a TEDx Cleveland talk about the process of taking a sabbatical year while maintaining a busy practice and community involvement.

Ed Cerullo was a co-resident with Dr. Ponsky from 1997, is now chairman of urology at Rush, and they still talk every day and collaborate.

The institution has given the urology department resources and support to recruit, grow, and build the program.

The University Hospitals urology program has trained more chairmen than any program in the country.

In the last year, the department recruited over 7 people who will be starting in the next 6 months, with additional recruits signed for the following year.

Dr. Ponsky's biggest frustration is Saturday because he wants to send emails, meet with people, and get things done but must wait until Monday.

Medical leadership selection is "very strange" because it takes people who are busy clinically and have achieved academically, then asks them to run a company (department/institute) requiring different skill sets.

The department wants to recruit leaders in each subspecialty area who have passion and vision for teaching, asking questions, and innovating, not just checking boxes for coverage.

The department plans to more than double in size in the next year.

Culture is the number one priority - creating a home environment where people feel supported rather than pressured, different from traditional hierarchical medical education.