Dr. Martin graduated from UAB Urology residency in 2011. He then joined Urology of Indiana, LLC, where he practices general urology.
Q: What made you decide to be a urologist?
During medical school, I was attracted to urology because of the wide variety of conditions treated. I also enjoyed working on men’s health issues, and I had several great urologist mentors. I remember I looked up to their professionalism and sense of humor.
Q: What is your current practice and how did you choose to practice this area of urology?
From the beginning, I knew I wanted to enter into private practice. After graduation, I joined a large (30 physician) urology group in Indianapolis. At Urology of Indiana, I work with seven other urologists in my call group and cover three separate hospitals. Our group performs all types of urologic surgery. We also have an active robotic oncologic program. My current practice is what I call “General Urology for the 21st Century”. I personally perform all general urology cases, including my own robotic cases; specifically prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, and full nephrectomy.
Interestingly, I was very involved with the first robotic cystectomy cases that were performed at UAB. However, I did not plan on performing robotic cystectomy cases in my practice once I graduated. But over the past four years, a urologic oncologist (Dr. Michael Large) and I have performed, on average, six to eight robotic cystectomies per month. When I graduated from UAB, I did not anticipate being involved in such a robust and busy robotic oncology practice, but UAB gave me the tools and urologic training needed to adapt in a busy, modern and successful private practice.
Q: How did you land at UAB for residency?
I am from Ohio and attended medical school at University of Cincinnati. When I was applying to residency, my mentors told me that UAB had a very well respected urology residency. So I decided to apply. I had never been to Birmingham until I showed up for my interview! I immediately fell in love with the town and UAB. The residents, physicians, and staff were all very welcoming and professional. It was clear that UAB was a great place to train and would be a good fit for me.
Q: What aspect of your time at UAB do you believe was most valuable as you started your career?
I believe I was well prepared for my career after residency. I had the technical skills and urologic knowledge to be successful. UAB has a very good operative experience for the residents. I was very comfortable operating on my own, from my first day in private practice.
However, no amount of training will fully prepare you for being on your own. My mentors at UAB (Dr. John Burns and Dr. Jim Bryant) told me to keep pushing myself and continue the learning process after residency. They were right! A lot of learning occurs in the first few years after residency. UAB prepared me to keep learning and for the challenges of a busy private practice.
Q: Did you have a particular mentor while at UAB? If so, why were they a good mentor?
Dr. Jim Bryant was a special mentor to me. He had just joined UAB from private practice, and I was his first resident on the urology service. He practiced, at that time, at UAB Highlands Hospital. Working with Dr. Bryant, I was able to learn from someone who is a true gentleman surgeon that treats his patients, staff, and colleagues with respect. Also, Dr. Bryant spent years in private practice and was very familiar with the business of medicine. He was willing to share his knowledge of practice outside the university setting with me.
Q: What is one of your fondest memories from UAB?
One of my favorite memories was working with Dr. Burns on Fridays. Dr. Burns performed all of his stone surgeries, including his PCNL cases, on Friday. Dr. Burns would routinely take the residents to Subway for a break in the middle of the day. It was a great time to unwind and recharge, before restarting the cases in the afternoon. Dr. Burns treated everyone, including the residents, as equals. As I look back at those Friday lunches today, I have come to value the advice and mentorship shared during that time.