皇家华人 Urology Residency Program
Thank you for your interest in the ACGME accredited urologic surgery residency training program at the 皇家华人 (MCW), an accredited five year curriculum (60 months total; 51 months of clinical urology). The Department of Urology supports four (4) residents per year with rotations at Froedtert Hospital, Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Children鈥檚 Wisconsin and two local community hospitals. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, MCW is the largest Urology residency training program in the state and covers a diverse population of urban, suburban and rural communities. Froedtert Hospital is the primary adult academic tertiary care facility affiliated with 皇家华人. Children鈥檚 is the largest and only free standing pediatric hospital in the state. The VA Medical Center is one of the busiest referral VA hospitals in the region.
One of MCW鈥檚 strengths is employing nationally and internationally recognized, fellowship-trained experts in all areas of urology. The faculty consists of 19 urologists, eight physician鈥檚 assistants/nurse practitioners and four non-urologists with appointments to the Department of Urology. Our group of specialists provide team-oriented, state of the art instruction in urologic oncology, cryotherapy, endourology, robotics/laparoscopy, pediatric urology, female urology, sexual dysfunction, neurourology, reconstructive urology, voiding dysfunction, andrology/infertility, uropathology and uroradiology.
Additional opportunities within the MCW Department of Urology residency training program include:
- Basic science and clinical research
- Community urology rotation
- Elective urology rotation
- Medical missions in underserved countries
- Elective rotations at other academic institutions
- Dedicated training in urodynamics
- Research presentations at local, regional and national meetings
- Research assistance from full-time research nurses and biostatisticians
Upon graduation our residents are adequately prepared for careers in either academic medicine or private practice.
Residency Applicants聽
Urology Resident Educational Conferences and Rotation Schedule
Current Residents
Nayan Shah MD
Undergraduate: Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Hometown: Hudson, OH
About Me: I enjoy running, golfing and spending time with my wife and dog. We spend lots of time exploring Milwaukee鈥檚 park system and shoreline. I also have a lot of fun checking out new bars and restaurants with friends around town. I love to travel and have visited over 20 countries so far and spent 6 months in between undergrad and medical school with my wife in south east Asia. Learning about new cultures and experiencing new places is always something I cherish.
Why I chose MCW: When I came here for my interview I did not really know what to expect. I had never been to Milwaukee and didn鈥檛 know much about the city or the program other than it was close to Chicago and also on Lake Michigan. During my interview day I felt so welcomed and found that all the residents and attendings were very friendly and seemed incredibly close with one another. It felt like a big family, and that was the type of program I was looking for. I spent an extra day exploring the city at that time and quickly fell in love with everything it had to offer.
Favorite part of Milwaukee: Milwaukee is an excellent place to live. It is large enough that there is always something going on, things like Tuesday night concerts in Humboldt Park, beer gardens in the summer, Summerfest, other festivals in the winter, the list goes on. There are many beautiful parks and beaches that are just a short drive away. The whole city is accessible and affordable with nothing really more than 15-20 minutes away by car. There are never issues finding parking. People in Milwaukee are especially friendly even compared to other places in the Midwest. It is that combination of activity, accessibility, and friendliness that make Milwaukee such an incredible place to live.
Brendan Waldoch MD
Undergraduate: St. Louis University
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Hometown: Geneva, IL
About Me: I鈥檝e worked a decent number of jobs over the years including line cooking, non-profit marketing, and soccer refereeing. The most interesting (and dangerous?) of these was over one winter break in college, when I worked in a warehouse breaking down different objects for parts to be sold at junk dealers. With my trusty sledgehammer and screwdriver I stripped precious metals and other useful materials from computers, cars, and all of the old tollbooths from the state of Illinois.
Why I chose MCW: I鈥檓 going to reiterate what everyone else here has said: it鈥檚 all about the relationships and personalities. The people of MCW radiate kindness and are always wearing smiles so genuine that they can鈥檛 be hidden by a mask. On the Urology team specifically there鈥檚 a current of infectious enthusiasm that drives me on a daily basis, and the friendliness of my peers is surpassed only by their sense of humor. On my interview here I had a feeling of community and belonging that was unmatched, and I had zero doubt that MCW is where I wanted to be.
Favorite part of Milwaukee: It鈥檚 a gem of a city that maintains a hometown feel. The various neighborhoods are distinct but welcoming, the festival scene is unrivaled, the lake is as magnificent as any ocean, and there鈥檚 ample green space for all of your outdoor needs. It feels inevitable that Milwaukee will be the next city to break out onto the national scene, and I鈥檓 excited for it to get the respect that it deserves.
Andrew Watts MD
Undergraduate: Penn State University
Medical School: Penn State College of Medicine
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
About Me: I'm pretty laid back and easy to get along with. Huge Penn State fan and a big sports enthusiast in general. In my free time, I enjoy getting outside and going on hikes, playing golf, or just drink some beers in some nice weather with friends. I also enjoy staying in and watching a good movie or playing some videogames. I like to cook and BBQ- love to try new recipes and foods. Traveling is another favorite of mine. My girlfriend and I love to explore new places, especially different countries, whenever we get a chance.
Why I chose MCW: Simple, the people. Being from the East Coast I didn't know much about the Midwest or Milwaukee. However, on my interview day, I quickly fell in love with the people and culture here at the MCW Urology program. Everyone in the program got along and gave off the obvious impression that they were all actually friends rather than faking it for interview day. This impression has held true as I have gotten to know everyone better and have become part of the close-knit community that is MCW Urology.
Favorite part of Milwaukee: The beer and views. The craft brewery scene is amazing here in MKE and you can't beat the views from the countless parks along the water.
Isaac Melin MD
Undergraduate: Wheaton College
Medical School: 皇家华人
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
About Me: I am a native Minnesotan who married a South Dakotan. We met in college in Illinois and made our way to Wisconsin for medical school and now residency (my wife is also at MCW as a medical student). We have a dog, Annie, and are the dog sitters of the residency program. We enjoy camping, watching Shark Tank, and trying new restaurants in the Milwaukee area. In my time outside of the hospital, I'm an avid podcast listener, enjoy reading financial news, and am working on rowing 1 million meters this year.
Why I Chose MCW: Due to COVID, I spent 3 months on the urology service at MCW as a student. I was able to get to know the residents and staff well and loved working with them. The culture of comradery and team work was readily apparent. I particularly enjoyed time in the OR and cysto rooms with the residents, as they were willing to take time to educate and get students hands-on experience. Since I've become a resident myself, this culture has been carried on.
Favorite Part of Milwaukee: I have been pleasantly surprised by Milwaukee. Housing is affordable, the city is large enough to have plenty to do but not so large that you have to deal with bad traffic. It's a short drive to greenery, the public parks are well-kept and typically have beer gardens. There are great festivals and events, my favorite of which is Mitten Fest.
Megan Paradzinsky MD
Undergraduate: The University of North Carolina
Medical School: The University of North Carolina
Hometown: Mooresville, NC
About Me: I鈥檓 a Tar Heel born and bred, but I have loved being able to make a home in Wisconsin. When not in the hospital, you can find me chasing after my two kittens named Mac & Cheese, tending to my houseplants, cooking, mixing different cocktails, or trying new restaurants with my husband. The dish I am most proud of learning to make this year is xiaolongbao (soup dumplings!). I also am an avid reader鈥攚ell, audiobook listener鈥攚ith the goal of reading over 20 books this year.
Why I chose MCW: Virtual interviewing was challenging, but MCW stood out right away. I鈥檒l just leave you with my notes from interview day, which still hold true: 鈥淩eally funny group with great collegiality. I could see myself grabbing a beer with many of these residents and hanging out.鈥�
Favorite part of Milwaukee: Nothing is more than 15 minutes away! It鈥檚 an underrated city with a great culture and history. There is always something to do here, whether that be eating out, going to one of our many breweries, or relaxing in a Milwaukee County park.
Emily Polley MD
Undergraduate: Bob Jones University
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Greenville
Hometown: Greenville, SC
About Me: I really enjoy traveling and discovering new places (favorite adventure so far was in Tokyo after I finished college), visiting my family in South Carolina, and exploring my new city of Milwaukee! I am a dog enthusiast and love learning about the nuances of each breed, and I鈥檓 hoping to rescue a dog of my own later this year! I love to be creative; I do a lot of cross-stitching and embroidery in my spare time, and I鈥檓 learning how to sew (hoping to get my scrub cap manufacturing business off of the ground here soon). I love skincare and doing manicures and have already enjoyed having the uro gals over for girls鈥� night!
Why I chose MCW: Even though it was over Zoom, my interview was so relaxed and felt completely natural. The residents and faculty were incredibly warm and welcoming. Now, after working here for some time, I really love the people I work with! Everyone (faculty and staff alike) is incredibly kind and prioritizes resident education. Residents here are both colleagues and friends. We all look out for each other, do our best to share the workload, and try our best to get everybody home on time. I am so thrilled to be here and can鈥檛 wait to see what the next few years hold.
Favorite part of Milwaukee: Milwaukee has all of the benefits/amenities of a big city, but it is so accessible; you can get pretty much anywhere in 20 minutes or less, and the traffic is quite manageable. I love going down to Lake Michigan and taking in the beautiful views. It鈥檚 also worth mentioning that the people who live here are so friendly and kind! I cannot wait to experience all that this city has to offer over the next four years!
Arya Anvar MD
Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Medical School: University of Southern California (USC)
Hometown: Irvine, CA
About Me: I love to spend whatever free time I have playing sports or outdoor activities. From backpacking to biking across Iowa, I just love to spend time outside. From a sports perspective I love basketball and football, I'm a die hard LA Lakers and Denver Broncos fan.
Why I chose MCW: When I first came to MCW as an away student I remember reading this page and how everyone talked about the family environment the program had. I assumed it was something all the residents were just saying but I quickly realized it was the truth and everyone really looked out for one another. What I saw in the program convinced a California boy to come out to Milwaukee and it鈥檚 been a great time since.
Favorite part of Milwaukee: Being so close to Lake Michigan. There's nothing like riding a bike or going for a walk along the lake during a beautiful day.
Kwesi Asantey MD
Undergraduate: Western University
Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Hometown: London, ON, Canada
About Me: I am a Ghanian born, Canadian raised guy who is ventured his way state side and now living in the state of Wisconsin. I am a huge fan of video games, anime, rock climbing, volleyball, mixology and photography! In my spare time you can usually find me either at a beach playing volleyball, watching some sort of anime or spending my Sundays hosting dinner parties for friends. I love exploring new areas, trying out interesting food and cocktails and trying to recreate them at home.
Why I chose MCW: I had heard wonderful things about this program from both my home institution as well as from where I did my away rotation. The program has exposure to a wide variety of urological fields for training, but the thing that really sold me was the comradery that I could see and feel during the interview day itself. The Staff and residents all struck me as people I would enjoy working with, learning from, and hanging out with.
Favorite part of Milwaukee: Milwaukee comes alive as a city during the summer. There is always a festival to check out over the weekend or a good trail to bike/walk, etc. The food seen is also starting to blossom, which is an exciting aspect of the city. Milwaukee has all the fun activities of a big city that is lake side with the accessibility of a small city, which is ideal.
Carissa Battle MD
Undergraduate: Florida A&M University
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
About Me: I grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and went to undergrad in my hometown. I moved to Houston, Texas after I graduated with my chemical engineering degree and worked in the oil & gas industry for almost 4 years before going back to medical school. I'm happily married and enjoy traveling with my husband. I also enjoy songwriting and music production in my free time.
Why I chose MCW: My older brother is an MCW School of Medicine alumnus and he completed his residency training here as well. Once I interviewed at this program, I felt that I would receive top-notch training and work with an incredible group of people.
Favorite part of Milwaukee: Being close to Lake Michigan provides access to a lot of fun activities in the spring/summer and great views from different spots in the city.
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Hometown: Louisville, KY
About Me: I love spending my time outdoors whether that's golfing, hiking, or exploring both new cites and old. I've been to over a dozen national parks and my athletic claim to fame is a hole-in-one in Scotland. Staying true to my Kentucky roots, I enjoy a good bourbon, but make no claim of being a connoisseur. In my downtime, I enjoy watching old films from the AFI Top 100 and am currently on a quest to watch every Nic Cage movie.
Why I Choose MCW: The collegial atmosphere and friendships within the program. The residents and faculty here care about each other on both a professional and personal level. The workplace environment is lighthearted which makes coming to work each day that much more enjoyable.
Favorite Part of Milwaukee: Milwaukee has a lot to offer. The housing is affordable, there are plenty of good restaurants, and the people here are genuinely nice. I've loved spending summer days hanging out at Bradford beach and exploring the various parks along Lake Michigan.
Sarah Erpenbeck MD
Undergraduate: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
Hometown: Mequon, WI
About Me: I grew up in the Milwaukee area and am so happy to be back! My favorite things to do are spending time with family and friends, playing with my dogs, reading, watching reality TV, and trying out new restaurants and bars. My family has a cabin in Northern Wisconsin ("Up North"), and I love going up there when I can to go boating in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter.
Why I chose MCW: I did an away rotation at MCW as a medical student, and I immediately knew it was somewhere I would love to train! Everyone here worked hard but had fun doing so. It seemed like a very close-knit community where everyone supported one another. Now that I'm here I can attest that it could not be more true - it's an extremely supportive environment with great training!
Favorite part of Milwaukee: I love being near the lake! There are so many great paths and activities to do along the lake, and there's nothing better than having a lake view while you grab dinner or a drink!
Madelyn Flitcroft MD
Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago
Medical School: 皇家华人 - Milwaukee (MCW)
Hometown: Elkhorn, WI
About Me: I grew up in a small town in Southeast Wisconsin. I spent summers working at a marina on Lake Geneva, and still spend as much time as I can near the lake in the summertime. If I'm not working, you'll find me wake surfing, lounging by a pool, up north for a cabin weekend working on my 1964 Honda motorcycle, or grabbing brunch with friends.
Why I chose MCW: I was fortunate to attend medical school at MCW and realize how incredible it is to train here. There is a community feel across departments and people are very invested in your learning. The Urology department has cultivated a great sense of community and is very supportive of residents' interests inside and outside of work.
Favorite part of Milwaukee: I love being able to experience all four seasons, especially the Wisconsin summers. After living in Chicago for 4 years, coming to Milwaukee was a great change of pace. Less traffic, more affordable, but still being a short drive or train ride to visit friends in Chicago. Cabin weekends in northern Wisconsin are also an amazing break!
Sarah Kodres-O'Brien MD
Undergraduate: University of Virginia
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Hometown: McLean, Virginia
About me: Born and bred in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), I’ve been an East Coaster most of my life, but I love being a Midwesterner now! I used to own a photography business but traded up for Urology - now I do photography in my free time or when traveling! Before residency I hiked the O circuit in Patagonia, Chile, and then spent a few weeks in Japan. I finally figured out how to make my own sushi at home! On my weekends you can find me at the farmers market, paddle boarding, climbing, hiking, all things outdoors; and cooking elaborate meals for one or twenty.
Why I chose MCW: I remember feeling very at home during my MCW interview. While I only had loose ties to Wisconsin, I felt like moving to Milwaukee would be a homecoming of sorts for me and that is in part due to the genuineness and humility I felt from everyone on interview day. The program also checked so many boxes from being a level one trauma center to having redundant fellowship trained faculty in almost every discipline. All of it together showed me MCW would be a wonderful place to train for 5 years!
Favorite part of Milwaukee: Milwaukee is a lively, affordable city with nice, down-to-earth people who really just want to have a good time when they’re not working! It’s that simple. There is always a way to have a good time, whether it’s going for a bike ride at Veterans Park, checking out a new James Beard award winning restaurant, or seeing a show at one of the city’s many historic theaters. It’s so much more than I expected and it’s easy to make it yours!