A Tribute to Our Awesome Urology Scribes
Andrew Siegel MD 4/19/2025
A Tribute to Our Awesome Urology Scribes
If you’ve visited our urology office lately, you may have noticed that there’s often a third person in the room—besides you and your doctor. No, it’s not a reality show producer (although many urology visits do have drama!). That individual is one of our brilliant medical scribes, silently typing away as we chat about prostates, bladders, and other glamorous parts of the human anatomy.
Today, we shine a well-deserved spotlight on these unsung heroes—who not only document your visit in real time but also keep the entire practice running smoother than a young man’s prostate gland.
Why We Love Our Scribes (And You Should Too)
We launched our scribe program about three years ago, and honestly, we haven’t looked back—except to wonder how we ever survived without them. A shout out to one of my urology partners, Dr. Martin Goldstein, who had the presence of mind to kick this program into action.
Our scribes are typically recent college grads or students in their “gap years,” working toward careers as physicians or physician assistants. Judging by their med school and PA school acceptance rates, we’re either doing something right—or admissions committees are just as impressed by their ability to spell “hydronephrosis” without hesitation.
Scribes allow us doctors to focus on what matters most: you. Instead of staring into the cold abyss of an electronic health record (EHR), we’re able to maintain eye contact, build rapport, and have meaningful conversations—not just click boxes on a screen. Our patients consistently tell us they feel more seen, heard, and cared for when we’re not also trying to moonlight as data entry clerks.
Thanks to the scribes, our visit documentation is completed before you even leave the office. Compare that to the old days, when we’d scribble notes on scrap paper and later reconstruct the visit like crime scene investigators piecing together a timeline.
Everybody Wins (Mostly)
Our scribes are trained in medical lingo and the Epic EHR system, and they ensure accurate and complete documentation—essential for proper billing and coding. Plus, they help us move through our day more efficiently, which can shorten wait times and increase access to care. It’s a win-win-win – for patients, physicians, and the scribes themselves.
Of course, it’s not all roses. There’s the added expense of hiring scribes, and the occasional patient who (understandably) feels a little uneasy about having a third person in the room during sensitive discussions. For those situations, we’re happy to excuse the scribe. And just to be clear—they are not present during physical exams. Even scribes have their limits.
Also, since most scribes move on to medical or PA school, turnover is high, and training is constant. Thankfully, we have our own Professor McScribe—Katelyn Malloy—who’s trained three generations of scribes and deserves a gold star (and maybe a vacation).
Scribe Spotlight: Interview with Zamira Miranda
To give you a peek behind the scenes, I sat down with Zamira Miranda, one of our nine scribes. Her interview, condensed and edited for clarity, captures the spirit and smarts these scribes bring to the job.
Q: How long have you been scribing, and what are your future plans?
Zamira: I’ve been a scribe for three years. My goal is to become a physician assistant, ideally working with an older population.
Q: When did you start scribing in relation to college graduation?
Right after I graduated in 2022 I traded my cap and gown for a portable scribe desk.
Q: What are your responsibilities?
I set up shop, log into Epic, and follow my assigned doctor throughout the day. I document the visit—including the patient’s history, symptoms, and treatment plan. I also pull up lab and imaging results, order tests and medications, get consents signed, confirm pharmacies, and make sure the note is signed and complete before the patient leaves. Basically, I’m a clinical ninja.
Q: What’s it like working with the variety of personalities in our 11-doctor practice?
Every doctor is different! Some are high-energy and see complex cases; others have a more laid-back vibe. I might start the morning with one doctor who handles intense cases back-to-back and then spend the afternoon with another who’s a little more mellow. It keeps things interesting—and keeps me caffeinated.
Q: What have you learned from patients?
One thing I hear at least five times a day: “Don’t get old.” It’s always said half-jokingly, but with 100% conviction.
Q: What do you like most about being a scribe?
I love learning from the doctors—they’re like walking, talking medical podcasts. I also enjoy how they explain things to patients, and I soak up both the technical terms and their plain-English explanations. Plus, I really value the camaraderie. Sharing a laugh with the staff after a tough patient interaction is better than therapy. (Almost.)
Q: Least favorite part of the job?
When the Wifi crashes, Epic freezes, or the dictation system rebels. That’s when I’m forced to type notes in WordPad like it’s 1998. Also, skipping lunch because a long patient visit eats into my break? Brutal.
Q: Any final thoughts?
From both a patient and team perspective, having a scribe makes a huge difference. When a doctor isn’t distracted by typing, the patient feels heard. It’s a small thing that makes a big impact—and I’m proud to be a part of it.
A Statement from our scribe Lexie who will soon be departing to PA School: “Scribing has made me more confident in clinical settings and taught me how to work efficiently as a team with a physician and office staff. I also learned a lot about a specialty that I never knew about, which will help me during PA school when I have a urology rotation and as a future PA.“
Final Word
Our scribe program has transformed how we practice medicine—for the better. Patients get more attention, doctors get more support, and scribes get priceless experience (and maybe carpal tunnel). It’s a modern solution that honors the heart of healthcare: human connection.
So next time you’re in the office and see someone silently typing in the corner, give them a smile. They’re not ignoring you—they’re making sure every word you and your doctor say gets the attention it deserves.
A heartfelt thank you to our current and past scribes. Our current scribe team consists of: Katelyn, Zamira, Anje, Lexie, Alyssa, Josh, Omar, Anthony, and Raneim! We are always on the lookout for the next class of scribes. Three of our current scribes are children of patients who we care for in our urology practice. Several of the current scribes are family members of friends of the physicians in our practice. Some current scribes have been recommended by other scribes. If you know of any appropriate candidates, please have them email their resume to our practice manager Elias Gomez: EGomez@summithealth.com.
Wishing you the best of health,
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Dr. Andrew Siegel is a physician and urological surgeon who is board-certified in urology as well as in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. His mission is to “bridge the gap” between the public and the medical community.
He is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Urology at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor New York Metro Area, Inside Jersey Top Doctor and Inside Jersey Top Doctor for Women’s Health. He is a urologist at New Jersey Urology, a Summit Health Company. He is the co-founder of PelvicRx and Private Gym.
Dr. Siegel is the author of several books. The newly revised second edition (June 2023) of Prostate Cancer 20/20: A Practical Guide to Understanding Management Options for Patients and Their Families is now available in print and Kindle formats on Amazon.
Video trailer for Prostate Cancer 20/20
Preview of Prostate Cancer 20/20
Andrew Siegel MD Amazon author page
Dr. Siegel’s other books:
THE KEGEL FIX: Recharging Female Pelvic, Sexual, and Urinary Health
MALE PELVIC FITNESS: Optimizing Sexual and Urinary Health
PROMISCUOUS EATING: Understanding and Ending Our Self-Destructive Relationship with Food