Seeing residents go from fresh-faced interns to competent surgeons is incredibly rewarding,” says Dr. Sankin, the new Director of the Urology Residency Program. Together, he and Dr. Small, the program’s new Associate Director, are guiding the program through a period of growth and thoughtful innovation—building on recent progress while putting their own stamp on training the next generation of urologic specialists.

Dr. Sankin, who has been involved with the program since 2020, recently took the helm. “Over the last five years, I’ve learned the ins and outs of running a residency—maintaining credentialing, developing initiatives, and giving residents experiential training across multiple sites,” he says. Under his leadership, the program has grown from two to three residents per year, with rotations now at Wakefield, Sloan Kettering, Mount Vernon, and New Rochelle.

Stepping into his new position, Dr. Small aims to bring a fresh energy and perspective to the department’s resident education, one that balances both professional and personal growth for trainees. “I’m excited to be part of a nimble program where we can integrate new technologies and simulation training to enhance learning,” he says, helping Montefiore shape the program in a way that prepares residents to thrive as clinicians, leaders, and lifelong learners.

The past five years have seen major structural and cultural improvements. Residents now have call schedules that allow rest after shifts, more protected education time, expanded surgical simulation opportunities, and annual retreats that gather feedback for ongoing program development. “We’ve really taken residents’ input seriously,” notes Dr. Sankin.

Looking ahead, Drs. Sankin and Small are focused on sustainable growth. Faculty numbers and surgical volume have grown. Soon, teams will also be restructured to promote even greater continuity of care, allowing residents to develop stronger mentorship relationships and deeper practical experience.

For both directors, the most satisfying aspect is watching residents grow into skilled, confident surgeons. “The program’s reputation has grown regionally, and it’s rewarding to see our work reflected in that,” Dr. Sankin says.