Desai Sethi Urology Institute Launches Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship in Men’s Health

A new advanced practice provider (APP) fellowship program at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine offers leading-edge clinical training in men’s health to nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

“We now offer the only APP men’s health fellowship in Florida and one of a select few nationwide,” said Ranjith Ramasamy, M.D., director, reproductive urology at Desai Sethi Urology Institute (DSUI). “This program complements our well-established fellowships in men’s health for physicians in training. It will strengthen advanced practice providers’ proficiencies within the clinical setting while collaborating in a multidisciplinary care team.”

The APP fellowship is designed to prepare nurse practitioners and physician assistants with the skills necessary to care for a complex patient population, according to Thomas Masterson, M.D., assistant professor of urology and co-director of the new one-year training program. “We will cover sexual medicine, infertility, hormone replacement, and other relevant topics including clinical procedures and outpatient care,” he said.

Men’s health issues relating to sexual and reproductive issues are not commonly covered in other APP training programs, said Libert Ramos, D.N.P., M.S.N./Ed., APRN-C, lead advanced practice registered nurse at DSUI. “Our new nurse practitioner men’s health fellowship is an exciting opportunity for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to expand their knowledge on men’s health and become more marketable in a growing specialty such as men’s health,” Dr. Ramos said.

With a growing number of aging men and a shortage of urologists, APPs will play a greater role in diagnosing and managing men’s health issues, said Dr. Masterson. “Many procedures and follow-up care can be provided by APPs,” he said. For example, a growing number of APPs are performing collagenase injections, subcutaneous testosterone pellet procedures, and intracavernosal injections. However, very few APPs are trained on how to do these procedures, and those who are trained may not feel comfortable in performing these procedures or managing the complications, he said.

The APP fellowship rotations will be offered in a variety of clinical settings located within the DSUI and its satellites, to include outpatient settings for one year.

“We are committed to increasing access to care of men through education, mentoring, and training of advanced practice providers,” said Dr. Masterson. “This will enhance the quality of care to patients using the latest research, technology, and treatment options at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute.”

For more information visit: APP Miller School of Medicine (miami.edu)

Tags: Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Program, Desai Sethi Urology Institute, Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, Dr. Thomas Masterson, Libert Ramos, men's health