CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine announced it has added the Department of Urology to its mix, after previously having been part of the Department of Surgery since 1960. 

What You Need To Know

  • The department will have six full-time faculty, 10 residents and seven advanced providers, according to the UC College of Medicine

  • Dr. Ayman Mahdy, who has been chief of the Division of Urology since 2019, will also serve as interim chair of the department

  • UC College of Medicine said 60% of U.S. counties don't have a urologist, which they said is likely due to the lack of funding for more residency slots. Another issue is many urologists are retiring early

The department will have six full-time faculty, 10 residents and seven advanced providers, according to the UC College of Medicine. 

Dr. Ayman Mahdy, who has been chief of the Division of Urology since 2019, will also serve as interim chair of the department. Mahdy said now that it's under the College of Medicine, there's potential for quick growth 

“It has a substantial opportunity for growth. Urology, being the third most common specialty catering to patients 65 years old and above, finds itself amidst a surge in the elderly sector and the baby boomer populations causing a substantial influx of patients,” Mahdy said a release.

Despite the possible growth, Mahdy said he hopes it helps with the urology field's growing need for specialists. Mahdy said there's about 350 physicians graduating each year from highly competitive urology residency and fellowship programs, but the number of urologists trained each year is much lower than what's needed. 

UC College of Medicine said 60% of U.S. counties don't have a urologist, which they said is likely due to the lack of funding for more residency slots. Another issue is many urologists are retiring early. 

“It took a tremendous effort and support from the College of Medicine and Dean Filak, UC Physicians and Dr. Michael Archdeacon, and UC Health and Mr. Cory Shaw, to get this achieved,” Mahdy said in a release. “Our faculty commitment to the tripartite mission and the support we received from Department of Surgery leadership of both Dr. Jeffrey Sussman and Dr. David Gerber were critical components of this achievement.”

Ultimately, the change came following a national trend for urology divisions being elevated to departments, UC College of Medicine said. 

“This will give us a better opportunity for national recognition and will make it more attractive for urology talent to join our faculty. It also will provide financial and operational autonomy and allow us a better opportunity for expansion and growth,” Mahdy said in a release.

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