What does a day in the life of a robotic and minimally invasive urologic oncology fellow really look like?
ACOS member Zac Taylor, D.O., shares an inside look at fellowship training—from high-volume robotic oncology cases and cutting-edge surgical technology to the mindset of continuous learning that defines the specialty.
Read his reflections below.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
A: A typical day during my robotic and minimally invasive urologic oncology fellowship starts early with reviewing imaging, operative plans, labs, and overnight patient updates before heading to the operating room. As a fellow, nearly 100% of my focus is on the operative experience and refining my skills, much different than residency where inpatient responsibilities can require a significant amount of attention. Cases can range from robotic prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy to adrenalectomy, complex salvage operations, and upper urinary tract reconstruction. Additionally. I have a focus on percutaneous ablative procedures for renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer. The surgical volume is demanding, but it provides constant opportunities to refine both technical surgical skills and clinical decision-making.
Q: What aspects of your environment shape your experience?
A: The fellowship environment plays a major role in shaping the experience because it is centered around a high-volume robotic oncology practice with exposure to complex pathology and evolving surgical technology. Being surrounded by experienced surgeons, dedicated operating room staff, trainees, and multidisciplinary cancer teams creates an atmosphere focused on continual growth and high-level patient care. Fortunately, my program director and other faculty are extremely supportive of me in achieving my professional and personal goals. The culture emphasizes preparation, efficiency, and accountability while also encouraging critical discussion of operative strategy and outcomes. In addition, the academic component of the fellowship (research, manuscript development, and conference participation) pushes me to stay engaged with emerging evidence and innovation within urologic oncology.
Q: What might surprise others about your day-to-day routine?
A: What has surprised me most during fellowship is realizing how much there still is to learn, even after completing residency and now nearing the end of subspecialty training. Before fellowship, I thought I had a solid understanding of robotic surgery and urologic oncology, but fellowship has shown me how much nuance exists within operative decision-making, surgical technique, perioperative management, and patient selection. Small technical details can significantly impact outcomes, and there is constant refinement taking place at every level.
This is especially true in urology, which continues to rapidly embrace surgical innovation and new technologies. Whether it is advancements in robotic platforms, imaging, reconstruction, or minimally invasive approaches, the field is constantly evolving. Fellowship has reinforced that becoming a good surgeon is not a fixed endpoint but an ongoing process of learning, adapting, and improving throughout your career. That mindset has probably been one of the most valuable lessons of the experience.