Why Our Fellowship?
At Íøºì³Ô¹Ï and Hackensack University Medical Center, we don't just participate in the field of robotic surgery—we define it. Our fellowship is built on a foundation of unprecedented surgical volume and pioneering innovation.
Our most recent fellow graduated with 624 robotic cases, a direct result of training at a global epicenter for advanced urology. We were the first institution in the world to perform 1,000 Single-Port (SP) robotic procedures, and you will train directly under our Fellowship Director, the world's highest-volume SP surgeon.
This unparalleled mentorship is supported by unmatched technological access, including two DaVinci SP robots and two Gen 5 multiport robots. If your ambition is to learn from the pioneers and become a leader in the next generation of surgery, there is no better place to be.
What Makes Our Fellowship Unique?
Our fellowship is built on a rare combination of three pillars: unprecedented volume, unmatched breadth and true hands-on mastery. While other programs may offer one of these, the integration of all three is what creates a truly elite, practice-ready robotic surgeon.
Beyond Oncology: Mastery Across the Full Spectrum of Urology
While many high-volume fellowships focus narrowly on oncology, we believe a master robotic surgeon must be versatile and skilled in all domains. Our program is intentionally designed to provide comprehensive training across the entire field of urology. You will not just be an expert in cancer surgery; you will be an expert in robotic surgery, period.
Our fellows gain high-volume, primary surgeon experience in:
Advanced Urologic Oncology
- Robotic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP)
- Robotic Partial & Radical Nephrectomy (RAPN/RARN)
- Robotic Radical Cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal diversion
- Robotic Adrenalectomy
- Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (RPLND)
Complex Benign & Reconstructive Surgery
Upper Tract Reconstruction: Master complex procedures like:
- Robotic pyeloplasty
- Ureteral reimplantation
- Ureteroureteroanastamosis
- Transvesical ureteral reimplant
- Ureterolysis
Benign Urology
Perform high-volume robotic simple prostatectomy for BPH and sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse.
Fistula Repair
Gain experience with challenging cases like vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair performed transvesical.
The outcome: you will graduate with the confidence and skill to build a premier robotics program or handle any complex case that comes through your door, whether it's oncologic, reconstructive, or benign.
The World's Epicenter for High-Volume & Single-Port Robotics
Your comprehensive training is backed by numbers and innovation that are simply unmatched anywhere in the world.
- World-Class Mentorship: Train directly under Dr. Mutahar Ahmed, the world's highest-volume Single-Port (SP) surgeon.
- Pioneering Institution: Learn at the institution that was the first in the world to perform 1,000 SP cases.
- Unrivaled Technology: Have guaranteed access to our suite of 12 advanced robotic systems (2 Da Vinci SP, 2 Gen 5 multiport, 8 Da Vinci XI).
True Hands-On Training, Not Just Observation
Surgical volume is meaningless unless it's your hands on the controls. Our training philosophy is centered on early and progressive hands-on experience. We don't train fellows to be expert assistants; we train them to be expert primary surgeons.
This commitment is proven by our outcomes: our most recent fellow independently performed 624 robotic cases in a single year. From day one, you are an integral part of the surgical team, with a structured path of graded autonomy that culminates in you leading complex cases with confidence and precision.
A Week in the Life: Your Typical Schedule
Morning: Fellow-Led Urology Clinic
- You will run your own clinic, managing post-operative patients and new consultations. This experience is crucial for developing clinical independence, decision-making skills, and understanding the full spectrum of patient care.
Afternoon: Mentored Clinic with Dr. Ahmed
- Work side-by-side with Dr. Ahmed, gaining invaluable insight into his approach to complex patient evaluation, surgical planning, and managing patient expectations.
Full Day of Robotic Cases at Hackensack University Medical Center
- A dedicated day in the operating room, focused on a high volume of diverse robotic procedures. You will be on the console, progressively mastering cases from start to finish.
Robotic Surgery at Holy Name Medical Center / Dedicated Academic Time
- This unique day provides exposure to a different hospital system and patient population at Holy Name. Alternatively, this day provides protected time for you to focus on your academic and research projects, ensuring you have the bandwidth to publish and present your work.
Full Day of Robotic Cases at Hackensack University Medical Center
- Another full day dedicated to maximizing your time on the console, tackling complex oncologic and reconstructive cases.
Half-Day Clinic or Half-Day Robotic Cases
- This flexible day adapts to the needs of the service, allowing for additional clinic time to manage patient follow-ups or more time in the OR to capture additional cases, ensuring your training goals are always met.
Our Fellowship’s History
Our fellowship is built upon a direct lineage of robotic surgery pioneers. It was founded by Mutahar Ahmed, MD and co-director Gregory Lovallo, MD, true masters who honed their craft over two decades under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Esposito, one of the nation's original robotic surgeons. Our team expanded with the addition of Mubashir Shabil Billah, MD, a leader in the Single-Port (SP) revolution. This unique blend of foundational mastery and forward-thinking innovation creates an unparalleled training environment.
Our Dedicated Specialists
Beyond Our Borders: Our Annual Surgical Mission to Bangladesh
Our commitment to surgical education extends beyond our own institution. We believe in the power of global collaboration and the responsibility to share knowledge. Each year, our fellowship team embarks on an optional but highly transformative surgical mission to Bangladesh, offering a unique opportunity for our fellow to develop as an international leader, educator, and surgeon.
Take the Stage as an International Speaker
A cornerstone of our mission is participation in Bangladesh's premier annual urology conference, BAUSCON. We don't just attend; we contribute. Our fellow is given the prestigious opportunity to present at the plenary session, sharing their knowledge and research with an international audience of surgeons. This is an incredible platform to build your academic reputation and establish yourself as an emerging leader in the field.
Teach and Perform Live Surgery
Our core philosophy is to "teach the teacher." You will work side-by-side with faculty to provide hands-on surgical training to local surgeons who are new to advanced laparoscopy. This includes:
- Live surgical demonstration: Participate in live-streamed surgical cases, demonstrating key techniques to a large audience.
- Hands-on mentorship: Guide Bangladeshi surgeons and scrub into the cases, helping them build the confidence and skills to perform these procedures independently.
- Perform surgery abroad: Gain invaluable experience operating in a different healthcare system, adapting your skills to new environments and challenges.
Pioneer the Future of Robotics in a Developing Nation
The spirit of this mission is innovation. As Bangladesh works towards acquiring its first surgical robot, our team is positioned to be at the forefront of that educational effort. By participating in this mission, you will be part of a pioneering team with the potential to help introduce and teach robotic surgery to an entire country, leaving a lasting legacy long after the mission ends