The USC Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS) Fellowship offers immersive, multidisciplinary training that bridges both Urology and Gynecology across the LAGMC and USC institutions. Fellows learn collaboratively alongside trainees from both specialties, gaining comprehensive exposure to female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. The program is designed to build strong clinical proficiency and to cultivate future academic leaders in the field. OB/GYN fellows participate in a three-year program, while Urology fellows complete a two-year program. All fellows serve as PGY-level trainees and assume progressive clinical responsibilities at Keck Hospital of USC, Los Angeles General Medical Center, Rancho Los Amigos, Verdugo Hills Hospital, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente, West Los Angeles. In addition to extensive operative and clinical experience, fellows engage in structured teaching activities and contribute to ongoing clinical research initiatives.

FACULTY

Our faculty bring expertise across the full spectrum of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, providing individualized mentorship to support your professional development and academic growth. When enrolled in our fellowship program, you will be paired with a mentor from our experienced URPS faculty to guide your research and clinical training.

  • Uro FacultyDr. David Ginsberg is an internationally recognized expert in the field of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Urology. Dr. Ginsberg joined the USC faculty in 1997 after completing his fellowship in female, reconstructive and neuro-urology. His particular areas of interest include both male and female voiding symptoms and urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Dr. Ginsberg is board certified by the American Board of Urology with a subspecialty certification in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS). Dr. Ginsberg is Chief of Urology at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, an internationally respected facility focusing on the care of patients with spinal cord injury and other neurologic diseases, and Program Director for the USC URPS fellowship. 

    Dr. Ginsberg’s contribution to the field has been recognized by his invitation to serve on a variety of committees.  He was on the American Board of Urology/American Urological Association Exam Committee from 2012-2022. He joined the Executive Committee for the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) in 2012 and completed his two-year term as President of SUFU in 2024. He has been a member of the American Urological Association (AUA) Practice Guideline Committee (PGC) since 2016 and began his position as Chair of the PGC in 2023. In addition, Dr Ginsberg was a member of the AUA/SUFU Stress Urinary Incontinence Guideline Panel, the AUA/SUFU Overactive Bladder Guideline Panel and served as Chair of the AUA/SUFU NLUTD Guideline Panel. 

    Dr. Ginsberg has been invited to give numerous Visiting Professor presentations and has lectured throughout the world.  He has been elected to Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and has been listed as a “Best Doctors in America” and one of Southern California’s Super Doctors in Los Angeles Magazine for many years.  

    He has published numerous articles within his field of expertise and reviews article for multiple journals, including the Journal of Urology for which he was awarded “best reviewer” in 2012 and 2014. He was the editor for two textbooks that focused on NLUTD and Dr. Ginsberg is an Associate Editor of Neurourology and Urodynamics. 

  • ObGyn FacultyChristine Horton, MD, MSCR is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with specialized training in urogynecology. Her clinical practice includes the full spectrum of gynecologic care, with interests in minimally invasive surgery, in-office procedures, contraception, hormone therapy, and the management of perimenopausal concerns.

    Dr. Horton’s subspecialty focus centers on pelvic floor disorders and female pelvic medicine. She evaluates and treats conditions such as urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, and vulvar disorders. Her surgical experience includes both native-tissue and mesh-related repairs for stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, utilizing vaginal approaches as well as advanced laparoscopic techniques, including the DaVinci robotic platform.

    Originally from California, Dr. Horton began her career in women’s health at Planned Parenthood in Boston. She earned her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2010 and completed her internship at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. She then pursued residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 2014. During her time at UNC, she also completed a Master of Science in Clinical Research at the Gillings School of Public Health while serving as a general obstetrician-gynecologist at UNC Chapel Hill and Wake Medical Center North.

    Following residency, Dr. Horton completed fellowship training in urogynecology at the University of Southern California, working alongside specialists in both urology and urogynecology.

  • FacultyDr. Lauren Cadish is the Director of Quality and Safety for the Department of Ob/Gyn and Section Lead for Urogynecology at Los Angeles General Medical Center. She previously spent nine years at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and holds degrees from the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins University, with training at Beth Israel Deaconess and UC Irvine. A member of the inaugural AUGS Urogyn CREST Program, she now serves as a peer mentor.

  • Colorectal FacultyDr. Kyle Cologne is a Southern California native who joined Keck Medicine of USC in 2012 and specializes in laparoscopic and minimally invasive treatment of colorectal cancer, complex polyps, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and anorectal disorders. He has performed more than 2,000 major colorectal procedures and completed general surgery training at Rush University and Cook County Medical Centers, followed by fellowship training in colon and rectal surgery. Dr. Cologne leads surgical quality efforts at USC and has published extensively on colorectal disease, endoscopy, diverticular disease, and surgical education.

  • ObGyn FacultyDr. Christina Dancz is an Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Residency Program Director at USC/LAG Medical Center. A board-certified specialist in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, she earned her MD from Harvard Medical School and MIT, MPH from USC, and completed fellowship training under Dr. Begüm Özel. Her interests include pelvic organ prolapse, medical education, and quality improvement, and she is a dedicated mentor recognized for her excellence in teaching.

  • Uro FacultyDr. Elodi Dielubanza is an assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Urology at Keck Medicine of USC. She specializes in pelvic floor conditions and urologic reconstructive surgery, providing patient-centered care with a focus on education and mentorship. Her research examines the social and economic impact of pelvic floor disorders, including bladder dysfunction, incontinence surgery, and neurogenic bladder, with findings published in leading journals. Dr. Dielubanza is committed to advancing patient education and training the next generation of physicians.

  • Uro FacultyDr. Mitchell Goldenberg is an assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Urology, specializing in the evaluation and treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, neuro-urology, and pelvic pain. He earned his medical degree at St. George’s University of London, completed his urology residency and doctorate in medical education at the University of Toronto, and fellowship training at Keck Medicine. Dr. Goldenberg’s research focuses on surgical education, including training and assessment of procedures, patient safety, and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance surgical evaluation.

  • Colorectal FacultyDr. Christine Hsieh is a colorectal surgeon with Keck Medicine of USC who specializes in minimally invasive surgery as well as women’s health, including anorectal disease, pelvic floor disorders and functional concerns. She treats patients at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, USC Arcadia Hospital and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.

  • FacultyEileen V. Johnson, PT, DPT, is a board-certified women’s health physical therapist at USC Physical Therapy, specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction. She works with patients during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as those with oncology-related pelvic floor issues and pelvic pain, and has a background in pediatric, neurological, and orthopedic physical therapy. Dr. Johnson is actively involved in interdisciplinary collaborations, pelvic health research, and teaching pelvic health content within the USC physical therapy curriculum.

  • Uro FacultyDr. Evgeniy Kreydin is an Assistant Professor of Urology at the University of Southern California and Director of Genitourinary Restoration at the USC Neurorestoration Center. He specializes in restoring bladder function after neurological injury, with research exploring spinal cord stimulation and brain activity related to urinary control. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, he completed urology training at Massachusetts General Hospital and UCLA, and he contributes actively to professional societies and scientific journals in his field.

FELLOWS

  • Fellow Courtney Ritchie, MD | PGY7
    Residency: Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University
    Obstetrics & Gynecology
    Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
    Fellow Amir Soltani-Tehrani, MD | PGY7
    Residency: Shahid Labbafi Nejad
    Urology
    Medical School: Guilian University of Medical Sciences
  • Fellows Fenizia Maffucci, MD | PGY6
    Residency: Temple University Hospital
    Urology
    Medical School: SUNY, Downstate College of Medicine
  • Fellows Catherine Sham, MD | PGY5
    Residency: The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
    Obstetrics & Gynecology
    Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

EDUCATIONAL GOALS

  • The clinical goals of the USC Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS) Fellowship are to provide advanced, multidisciplinary training that prepares fellows to become skilled practitioners, consultants, and future leaders in the field. The program emphasizes independent learning, critical clinical judgment, and progressive surgical responsibility. Fellows gain comprehensive experience across all domains of URPS—including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, reconstruction, robotic and vaginal surgery, neuro-urology, and urodynamics—while caring for patients across the lifespan. Training also focuses on developing strong consultation and communication skills, engaging in research, and understanding the cultural, social, and ethical dimensions of patient care, ensuring complete clinical and professional growth.

  • The research goals of the USC Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS) Fellowship align with the program’s mission to advance women’s health through innovation, discovery, and academic leadership. The fellowship develops clinician-scientists who contribute to new diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for pelvic floor disorders. Fellows engage in research training under the mentorship of faculty from the USC Institute of Urology and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, gaining both clinical and translational experience.

    Fellows receive instruction in study design, hypothesis development, data collection, statistical analysis, and grant writing, and gain exposure to the research priorities of organizations such as the NIH, AUGS, AUA, ABOG, ICS, IUGA, and SUFU. Training emphasizes critical evaluation of published studies, the role of laboratory and animal research, and effective management of research resources. Each fellow completes graduate-level coursework in biostatistics, conducts an independent research project, and presents a thesis suitable for publication. This comprehensive approach equips graduates to pursue academic careers and advance women’s pelvic health.

APPLICATION PROCESS

  • ACGME Program Number: 4860548003

    Fellowship applicants must submit their materials through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) December cycle and register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants must have completed a residency program accredited in the United States or Canada.

    In addition to the ERAS application, applicants must provide the following:

    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Personal Statement
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation, one of which must come from your Residency Program Director or Department Chairperson.
    • USMLE Transcripts (Step 1, 2, and 3)
    • CREOG Scores (please email a copy to the Academic Program Administrator)

    Candidates should submit their completed application by March 1st of the current cycle (penultimate year of residency).

    The positions start on August 1st of each academic year.

CONTACT:

Shannon Piazza

Residency Program Manager
[email protected]