Training for High-Impact Urology Careers: Desai Sethi Urology Institute Welcomes Two Fellows
Summary
- Urologists Claudia Bernaschina, M.D., and Heather Steckenrider, M.D., have been selected for Desai Sethi Urology Institute’s Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery and Urologic Oncology fellowships.
- Dr. Steckenrider wants to specialize in urologic oncology and has research experience in robotic assisted cancer surgery.
- Dr. Bernaschina did postgraduate residency training in urology after earning her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.
Urologists Claudia Bernaschina, M.D., and Heather Steckenrider, M.D., have been selected for Desai Sethi Urology Institute’s (DSUI) Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS) and Urologic Oncology fellowships, respectively.
Dr. Steckenrider graduated from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta and completed a urologic residency at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport School of Medicine. Dr. Bernaschina earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, where she did postgraduate residency training in urology.
Training for an Impactful Career in Urologic Oncology
DSUI’s Urologic Oncology Fellowship offers rigorous, multidisciplinary training in the diagnosis and management of genitourinary cancers. The fellowship was successfully re-accredited in 2025 by the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) for five years and received a stellar review by the SUO’s national accreditation committee.
“We accept one applicant a year through the SUO match,” said Chad R Ritch, M.D., M.B.A., professor of urologic oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and director of the fellowship. “In addition to her interest in specializing in urologic oncology, Dr. Steckenrider has done quite a bit of research on robotic assisted cancer surgery, which is an important aspect of what we do at DSUI and a highlight of what our fellowship offers trainees.”
South Florida’s Only Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Fellowship
Launched in 2024, DSUI’s combined Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Fellowship accepts urology and obstetrics and gynecology applicants in rotating years. Urology fellows pursue a two-year fellowship, OB/Gyn fellows a three-year fellowship.
It is one of the few fellowships in the nation that is jointly approved by the American Board of Urology and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the only urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery fellowship in South Florida. In March 2025, this fellowship underwent a rigorous site review by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and passed with flying colors for continued accreditation.
“We are delighted to have Dr. Bernaschina join us as our incoming URPS fellow,” said Katherine Amin, M.D., assistant professor of clinical urology and fellowship program director. “The fellowship not only brings national recognition to DSUI, but it also helps to fill the pipeline of exceptionally trained physicians in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery. This fellowship not only prepares fellows to sit for their board certification after they’ve completed the training, but our high-volume and complex patient population gives our trainees the aptitude to succeed.”
The need for specialists like Dr. Bernaschina is great. About one in four otherwise healthy women in the U.S. experience pain, discomfort or reduced quality of life due to pelvic floor disorders, which include urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
The fellowship offers trainees hands-on experience in voiding dysfunction and pelvic floor disorders, robotic, laparoscopic and open pelvic reconstruction and much more. Fellows rotate with experts in gastroenterology and colorectal surgery for a well-rounded, multidisciplinary approach to pelvic floor care, and have dedicated time for clinical and basic science research.
DSUI also offers subspecialty fellowship training in sexual and reproductive medicine and pediatric urology.
Tags: Desai Sethi Urology Institute, Dr. Chad Ritch, Dr. Katherine Amin, fellows, Pelvic Floor Disorder, Society of Urologic Oncology