Paige De Rosa, MD (Uro 5)
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.
Undergraduate (Major): Bryn Mawr College (Biology, Environmental Studies)
Hobbies/Interests: Thrifting, exploring museums
Why the University of Iowa: Excellent case diversity; supportive resident team and faculty!
Why Iowa City: Coming home by riding my bicycle over the river, sitting on my porch at nights after having a great dinner downtown, browsing in Prairie Lights bookstore and being close enough to get to Chicago for the weekend
Ilana Bergelson, MD (Uro 5)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Undergraduate: University of Chicago (Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Running, yoga, HIIT, Chipotle, my cats George Clooney and Bradley Cooper, visiting my favorite place on earth aka Trader Joe's
Why the University of Iowa: Amazing volume, great faculty, top training, and above all else - the residents are good friends both within and outside the hospital
Why Iowa City: Low cost of living and 4 distinct seasons
Jordan Richards, MD (Uro 5)
Creighton University School of Medicine
Hometown: Fargo, N.D.
Undergraduate (Major): Creighton University (Biology & Philosophy)
Masters: Duke University (Master of Biomedical Science)
Hobbies/Interests: Live music, working out, wake surfing, Green Bay Packers football, Duke basketball
Why the University of Iowa: Resident camaraderie, expansive department with all subspecialties, resident autonomy and caseload = amazing training!
Why Iowa City: Really enjoyed the town, culture and restaurant scene when I visited and am excited to explore more in the coming years
Charles Schlaepfer, MD (Uro 5)
Washington University School of Medicine
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
Undergraduate (Major): Washington University in St. Louis (History)
Hobbies/Interests: I love to bake and managed to make all of my own bread for three straight years. I also love to build things and used COVID quarantine to come to Iowa to build new furniture and renovate my new house.
Why the University of Iowa: Excellent balance of lifestyle benefits and caring staff with excellent surgical experience.
Why Iowa City: Iowa City is affordable but surprisingly bustling
Joanna Orzel, MD (Uro 4)
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Hometown: Mount Prospect, Ill.
Undergraduate (Major): Chemistry and Spanish
Hobbies/Interests: Yoga; baking; rollerblading; eating ice cream; buying indoor plants; and being a Costco member
Why the University of Iowa: Fantastic residents and faculty; night float, high variety and number of cases
Why Iowa City: Blue skies; open spaces; the ability to drive almost anywhere within the city in less than 15 min; and ability to own a house!
R. Grant Owens, MD (Uro 4)
Penn State University College of Medicine
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pa.
Undergraduate (Major): University of Scranton (Neuroscience)
Hobbies/Interests: Musical performance/production; athletics; time with friends and family
Why the University of Iowa: Variety and quantity of cases; all urologic subspecialties represented; resident camaraderie and faculty mentorship; prioritization of mental and physical health.
Why Iowa City: Friendly community; easy commute; ability to purchase a house; low-stress lifestyle
Reid Stubbee, MD (Uro 4)
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University
Hometown: Wheaton, Ill.
Undergraduate (Major): University of Chicago (Chemistry)
Hobbies/Interests: Skiing; golf; cooking and grilling; Chicago sports; Hawkeye football and basketball
Why the University of Iowa: Excellent surgical training in all areas of urology; supportive and collaborative environment amongst residents and between residents and attendings
Why Iowa City: Hawkeye sports; easy access to all the amenities you need within 15 minutes
Adam Kemp, MD (Uro 3)
University of North Dakota School of Medicine
Hometown: Williston, N.D.
Undergraduate (Major): University of North Dakota (Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Formula 1, college hockey, skiing, biking, and hiking
Why the University of Iowa: Ability to train with all urologic subspecialties. Excellent residents, faculty, and operative experience.
Why Iowa City: Friendly people, bikeable city, and a lot to do on weekends.
Elise Myers, MD (Uro 3)
University of Kansas School of Medicine—Salina
Hometown: Salina, Kan.
Undergraduate (Major): Biology
Hobbies/Interests: Laughing with friends and family; cooking & dining; cleaning & organization; everything pop culture; amateur floral design; learning how to DIY my way through homeownership
Why the University of Iowa: I immediately felt welcomed during my sub-internship by both the residents and faculty. Their teaching style is forgiving and positive, there's an incredible case diversity, the facilities are interconnected and modern—all in a city that revolves around the university and hospital system. I felt really supported here in every way and knew it was the place for me.
Why Iowa City: It's reminiscent of where I went to undergrad in Lawrence, Kansas. Iowa City feels like a home away from home, except with a little more snow.
Ben Plambeck, MD (Uro 3)
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
Undergraduate (Major): University of Nebraska—Lincoln (Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my wife and 2 boys, piano and guitar, eating, working out, outdoor/lake activities, Husker sports, anything Star Wars, video games.
Why the University of Iowa: Excellent case volume and surgical training with outstanding faculty in all urologic subspecialties; incredible work-life balance (great for families); night float!; best resident camaraderie around; faculty mentorship.
Why Iowa City: Nice people; great place to raise a family; super easy commute; lots of fun stuff to do (nearby lakes, hiking/biking trails, etc.) and great restaurants to try.
Victoria Gonzalez, MD (Uro 2)
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla.
Undergraduate (Major): University of Oklahoma (Chemical Engineering)
Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, Oklahoma football, DIY crafts/projects, video games, going to Trader Joe's
Why the University of Iowa: Representation of all urologic subspecialties, supportive faculty and residents, night float
Why Iowa City: Affordable, everything is easily accessible with short commutes, lots of sports, friendly people
Andrea Rossman, MD (Uro 2)
Medical College of Wisconsin
Hometown: Mequon, Wis.
Undergraduate (Major): Duke University (Biomedical Engineering)
Hobbies/Interests: Farmers' markets, water skiing and wakeboarding, coffee and pastries
Why the University of Iowa: Research opportunities, all specialties represented, VA and private practice experiences
Why Iowa City: Very cute college town, nature close by, proximity to family, ease of living and homeownership
Brent Yelton, MD (Uro 2)
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Undergraduate (Major): Kalamazoo College (Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Trail running, hiking, kayaking, climbing, or anything outdoors
Why the University of Iowa: Faculty who specialize in every subspecialty within the field of Urology. This program also has a group of residents who care about each other.
Why Iowa City: Iowa City has incredible trails and outdoor spaces. Iowa City is a perfect size town for me. There is an abundance of things to do, but also without the traffic of a major city.
Joseph Kim, MD (Uro 1)
Indiana University School of Medicine at South Bend
Hometown: West Lafayette, IN
Undergraduate (Major): Indiana University (Biology and Exercise Science)
Hobbies/Interests: Powerlifting, watching Notre Dame football, and hanging out with my two golden retrievers
Why the University of Iowa: Best people and program design
Why Iowa City: Good food and affordability
Lars Neuenschwander, MD (Uro 1)
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Hometown: Pullman, WA
Undergraduate (Major): Washington State University (Bioengineering and Spanish)
Hobbies/Interests: Anything and everything outdoors: backpacking/hiking, skiing, running, sailing, scuba diving, fly fishing. Love to travel.
Why the University of Iowa: Friendly faculty, wonderful residents, well-rounded program with exposure to all urology subspecialities
Why Iowa City: Small town atmosphere, Midwest charm, and affordability/accessibility
Tutku Tazegul, MD (Uro 1)
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Hometown: Bursa, Turkey, and Cedar Falls, IA
Undergraduate (Major): University of Minnesota (Biomedical Engineering)
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking/camping, gravel biking, cooking, and spending time with family and friends
Why the University of Iowa: Great group of residents, supportive and skilled faculty, night float, dedicated urology facilities and support staff
Why Iowa City: Easy commute, affordable, access to trails for running and biking, close to family and friends
Jack Vercnocke, MD (Uro 1)
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Undergraduate (Major): Michigan State University (Human Biology)
Hobbies/Interests: Pickleball, hiking, water sports, hockey, watching football, and bar trivia!
Why the University of Iowa: Access to training in a variety of subspecialties and practice environments along with a program that supports its residents!
Why Iowa City: It affords the ability to own a home in close proximity to the hospital and easy access to many beautiful outdoor spaces. Also minimal traffic!