December 11, 2014

Urological Surgery resident lands new health policy fellowship

A Urological Surgery resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center was recently named the recipient of a new fellowship aimed at training urologists in health policy.

A Urological Surgery resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center was recently named the recipient of a new fellowship aimed at training urologists in health policy.

C.J. Stimson, M.D., J.D., was chosen as the first fellow for the American Urological Association’s H. Logan Holtgrewe Legislative Fellowship. The program is designed to give its fellows first-hand experience with the association’s advocacy efforts.

C.J. Stimson, M.D., J.D.

“The American Urological Association, which is the premier specialty society for urology, has recognized C.J.’s special skill set and incredible potential to influence the future of health care by making him the first recipient of this prestigious fellowship,” said David Penson, M.D., incoming chair of Vanderbilt’s Department of Urologic Surgery.

“All of us in the department are extremely proud of C.J.’s accomplishments to date and have great expectations for his future.”

Stimson, who is in the final year of his residency with the department, completed medical school and law school at Vanderbilt.

After finishing his residency here, he will head to Johns Hopkins to start a fellowship in urologic oncology that will include a strong focus on applied health care policy.

“C.J. is a unique individual,” said Penson, who is also the Paul V. Hamilton, M.D. and Virginia E. Howd Professor of Urologic Oncology. “He  is that rare clinician who has a genuine interest in shaping the future of health care policy.”

In addition to participating in the urological association’s legislative initiatives, Stimson will also complete a four-week program on executive leadership in health policy and management at Brandeis University.

Stimson said he was grateful for the opportunities the fellowship provides.

“For more than 10 years I’ve been trying to put together a career in both surgery and health care policy, and this fellowship will help me further define what that career will look like,” he said.