Research in the University of Michigan Medical School's Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, covers a wide range of related topics.
Led by Dr. John Park, the Chen-Yang Chang Professor of Pediatric Urology, the Division frequently joins forces to conduct research on everything from urologic disorders, such as cryptorchidism or urinary fistulas; issues with urologic anatomy, such as the kidneys, bladder, or urethra; and pediatric urology procedures.
These research efforts are supported by various grants sponsored by numerous educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and the federal government.
This diverse range of research activities and interests converge to give the team a unique level of understanding of the many factors that cause and affect urologic conditions. This expertise also allows us to create individualized treatment plans including a combination of medications, behavioral therapy or surgery.
To find out more about how the Division of Pediatric Urology puts research findings to use in treating patients, visit the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital homepage.
Martin David Bomalaski graduated from the US Air Force Academy with distinction in 1983. He received his medical training at Indiana University in 1987 where he was elected to AOA and did his urology residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He then came to Ann Arbor, Michigan for a pediatric urology fellowship from 1994 to 1996. During this time, the chair was Edward J. McGuire with David Bloom (Division Head) and Michael Ritchey as the pediatric urology team. He served as the pediatric urology consultant at Wilford Hall Medical Center before taking command of the Elmendorf AFB Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. He retired as colonel and now practices with Alpine Urology in Anchorage as the only specialty certified pediatric urologist in the whole state.
His wife, Sue who is also a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and who holds a PhD in social work, was until this spring the Executive Director of Catholic Social Services for the Alaskan Archdioceses. They have two children, Nicholas and Rachel and one grandchild. Nicholas is currently a PM&R resident at the UM and will finishing up this summer.
Dave and Sue in appreciation of their time in Ann Arbor have very generously created a fund to help support the activities of the University of Michigan Department of Urology residents and pediatric urology fellows.
Residents and fellows who demonstrate a serious commitment and interest towards pediatric urology can receive support for their research, and for travel when presenting their findings at national and international meetings. The residents and fellows receiving support will be designated Bomalaski Michigan Pediatric Urology Scholars.
Funding may also be used to further career development by supporting clinical and research experiences at other centers of pediatric urology excellence both nationally and abroad. The process of designating the recipients and the distribution of funding will be guided by the Department’s pediatric urology faculty.
For the fellows, their interest and commitment to the specialty is a given. We can look to use the funding to highlight particular projects, travel expenses or opportunities for further exposure or training (e.g. spending time at some center with a particular area of interest). This can be pretty wide ranging so long as it is clearly meant to further the fellow’s training and experience.
Residents who are interested in pediatric urology are encouraged to discuss their plans with the pediatric urology faculty. We are going to fund pediatric urology projects with residents who may or may not choose pediatric urology as a future career.
The current issue about too many pediatric urology fellowships should not deter us from encouraging high quality candidates from considering a career and this type of funding can be encouraging. This is not a general fund. A project that may touch on some pediatric issues is outside of the area of interest.
For example, a project that looks at health care access in general will of course touch upon children, but it is not a pediatric urology specific concern. In contrast a project looking at ESWL safety overall with a specific part detailing the long-term risks in children and adolescents would be something that the fund can be used to help support.
The recipient(s) will present their work at regional and national meetings. They will also have an opportunity to speak at the Duckett lecture each year.
We will also arrange to have the recipient(s) meet and have lunch or dinner with Dave and Sue at the Duckett/Nesbit/AUA or when they are in town. The supported work should carry acknowledgement of the funding (e.g. “This work was supported by the Bomalaski Michigan Pediatric Urology Scholars fund”) and we’ll produce an annual statement and summary.
