Eighteen years ago, I started my fellowship in endourology and laparoscopic robotic surgery in London, Ontario, Canada, under the supervision of Professor John Denstedt.

I was at the beginning of my career, an anonymous young Israeli urologist, immediately after completing his residency, married, with one 3.5-year-old boy, and expecting a new baby girl.

Looking for a fellowship for a young doctor outside North America is not an easy mission. I applied to many programs and understood the obstacle immediately.

Professor Denstedt gave me the chance of a lifetime. During my fellowship, he was like a father who cared for my young family and was a real mentor. I understood and faced the real meaning of dedication to patients, to urology, to academy, self-responsibility, and efficacy. Professor Denstedt helped me to understand that even the sky is not the limit.

With all this, I completed the training with him and continued his legacy.

Today I am a professor of urology; the vice chairman of urology at Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel; a program director of the first fellowship program in endourology and laparoscopic robotic surgery in Israel; the president of the Israeli Urological Association (after completing a 4-year term as the secretary-general); the president of the forthcoming World Congress of Endourology and Uro-Technology; and a member of the board of directors of the Endourological Society.

And most importantly, I am a real friend of Professor Denstedt, and the team in London, Ontario, Canada holds a warm and special place in my heart.

With honor and respect,

–Mordechai Duvdevani