3 Key Takeaways:
- Becoming a specialist in the field of urology involves a combination of education, experience and passion for the field.
- Urologists can develop meaningful relationships with their patients while surgically treating their conditions.
- Joining a specialist team can provide personal and professional rewards, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients.
As second-generation urologists practicing in Orange City and Daytona Beach, FL, we proudly follow in our fathers’ footsteps, dedicating our profession to the complex and rewarding field of urology. Just as our fathers did, we strive to make a difference in our patients’ lives, building on the foundation of education and experience to offer sophisticated, personalized care.
From Iowa to Florida: A Personal Journey in Urology
“I’m a second-generation urologist. My father practiced urology and we both graduated from the University of Iowa,” shares Dr. Stephen Weiss II, based in Orange City, FL. Like his father before him, Dr. Weiss discovered his passion for urology early on. After completing his residency at the University of Wisconsin, he decided to bring his skills to the sunny shores of Florida.
“Becoming a urologist was always a logical choice for me—having been exposed to urology since birth and having a dad who could answer all my questions was quite helpful,” he recalls. In a field that often presents intricate challenges, the gratification that comes from successful treatments is instantaneous, etching smiles on patients’ faces, representing a victory over their conditions.
From North Carolina to Florida: A Passion for Patient Care
Also following a familial legacy, Dr. Matthew Merrell from Daytona Beach, FL, embarked on his journey into urology after garnering his undergraduate degree from Davidson College in North Carolina, and medical degree from Wake Forest. With further surgical training in urology at the Medical College of Ohio, Dr. Merrell’s path was set.
“The benefit of urology is you get the combination of surgery and a clinic practice,” illustrates Dr. Merrell. The comprehensive approach adopted in urology allows practitioners to develop meaningful relationships with patients while surgically remedying problems—an accomplishment that brings immediate results and immense personal gratification.
The Power of Urology: Healing, Curing, and Connecting
In the field of urology, we are not just surgeons, but healers and companions in our patients’ journey towards recovery. “When you treat a patient and you get a good result, it’s very rewarding to see the smiles on their faces when they realize their prostate or kidney cancer has been cured,” Dr. Weiss reflects.
Each urologist’s story underscores our collective pledge: to provide outstanding, patient-centered urologic care. Whether it’s lowering a patient’s PSA levels, ensuring clear imaging studies after kidney surgeries, or building long-term relationships, every achievement is a testament to the transformative power of urology.
Your Journey Begins Here: Advanced Urology Institute
At the Advanced Urology Institute, we recognize the hard work and dedication it takes to become a urologist. Our team of urology specialists in Daytona Beach and Orange City, FL continuously strives to offer the best urology practices, providing comprehensive, high-quality care to our patients.
We understand that the journey of becoming a specialist is not an easy one, but the personal and professional rewards are undeniable. As the largest urology practice in Florida, we invite you to join us in making a difference in the lives of patients, one smile at a time.
References:
- “What is The Importance of Having a Urologist? – Byram Healthcare.” https://www.byramhealthcare.com/blogs/what-is-the-importance-of-having-a-urologist.
- “What Is Kidney Cancer? | Renal Cancer – American Cancer Society.” https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer/about/what-is-kidney-cancer.html.
- “Urology | ACS – The American College of Surgeons.” https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/education/programs/so-you-want-to-be-a-surgeon/section-iii-surgical-specialties/urology/.
Transcription:
Dr. Stephen Weiss II (Orange City, FL)
Well, I’m a second-generation urologist. My father practiced urology, and we both graduated from the University of Iowa, and then I went to do my residency at the University of Wisconsin, and then after a few cold winters decided that Florida was the place for me, and I’ve been here ever since. I was always interested in the surgical subspecialties, and being exposed to urology basically since birth, it sort of made it the logical choice for me, and having a dad that could answer all my questions was quite helpful as well. In urology, there’s a lot of instant or quick gratification in terms of when you treat a patient and you get a good result, and they have smiles on their faces and they’re happy with their results. If somebody has a prostate cancer, we get them treated, their PSA goes down, it stays down, it’s very rewarding to see the smiles on their faces when they realize their prostate cancer has been cured. If they have a kidney cancer, we take out that kidney, and their imaging studies afterwards are all clear, the pathology report was good, we’ve cured them of that cancer.
Dr. Matthew Merrell (Daytona Beach, FL)
I got my undergraduate degree from Davidson College in North Carolina, medical degree from Wake Forest, and then went on to Medical College of Ohio for surgical training in urology. The benefit of urology is you get the combination of surgery and a clinic practice, so you get a couple of the things that are great about medicine, which is taking care of patients in the clinic, developing those relationships, and then being able to offer treatment where you can surgically remedy problems and get immediate results, and patients are happy and it’s gratifying.
