2026 Urology Resident and Fellow Graduation

Celebrating the 2026 Urology Graduates and Award Winners

2 minutes

The University of Minnesota Department of Urology proudly celebrated its 2026 graduating class at this year's resident and fellow graduation ceremony. Department and program leadership gathered alongside faculty, trainees, alumni, friends, and family to honor an exceptional group of graduates, including three urology residents, one reconstructive urology fellow, and one endourology fellow. View highlights from the celebration online or on our Instagram. 

Recognizing Leadership in Research and Academics

In addition to honoring the graduating class, the ceremony highlighted outstanding achievements across the department. Following the morning's Dr. Gerald and Constance Ireland Grand Lectureship, residents presented the research projects that they have been leading within the department as part of the annual Research Day competition.

This year's visiting professor, Dr. Christopher Weight, announced the winners, as selected by judges Drs. Christopher Warlick, Joseph Pariser, and Dr. Weight: 

  • First Place: Bowen Yao, MD (rising PGY-5)
  • Second Place: Onuralp Ergun, MD (rising PGY-3)
  • Third Place: Cathrine Keiner, MD (rising PGY-4)

Academic achievement was further recognized through In-Service Exam Honors, awarded to the resident who achieved the highest score on the annual in-service exam. This year's recipient was graduating resident, Dr. Jonathan Sussman. 

Celebrating Leadership and Teaching

The Dr. Aliabadi Outstanding Resident Award was presented to graduating resident, Dr. Pooja Srikanth, in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the department. In describing the award's purpose, Dr. Hossein Aliabadi emphasized that it honors residents not only for their academic achievements, but for their energy, enthusiasm, and joy they bring to colleagues and patients. Dr. Srikanth exemplified these qualifies throughout her training, distinguished by her humility, leadership, and consistent excellence over the past five years.

Excellence in teaching was also celebrated with the High Councill Award, which is selected annually by graduating residents. This year's recipient, Tanner Miest, MD, PhD, was recognized for his outstanding mentorship and dedication to education. Serving as site director and surgical simulation director at the Minneapolis VA, Dr. Miest was praised by residents for his hands-on teaching style and commitment to the classic principle of "see one, do one, teach one." His impact on resident training has left a lasting impression. 

Looking Ahead: Where to Next?

As the ceremony concluded, attention turned toward the future as graduates shared their next steps:

  • Lane Shish, MD: Sexual Medicine, Male Infertility Microsurgery and Andrology Fellowship with Men's Health Melbourne (Australia)
  • Jonathan Sussman, MD: Urologist at The Urology Group in Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Pooja Srikanth, MD: GURS Fellowship at the University of Utah
  • Shree Agrawal-Patel, MD: Attending physician, Indiana University
  • Carla Miguel, MD: Attending physician, Connecticut 

Congratulations to the 2026 graduates and award recipients on their achievements!