Urology, reimagined.
See how we’re shaping the future of our field.
See how we’re shaping the future of our field. Take a look into what urological care can be. Before you delve into the following pages, I invite you to first forget your ideas of what urology “should” be. Because at the University Hospitals Urology Institute, we’ve ignored limitations and opted for fresh thinking. And the results speak for themselves. Over the past few years, we’ve almost doubled our number of published studies. We’ve substantially grown the number of grants submitted and funded. We’ve added 27 new providers, evolved our divisions to include a global perspective and built leading programs that reflect today’s needs. And it’s all thanks to our team of brilliant minds, our supportive culture and our emphasis on research and discovery. We’re excited to show how we do it. So join us as we explore the possibilities of urology, reimagined.
LEE PONSKY, MD, FACS CHAIRMAN, UH UROLOGY INSTITUTE
An overview of innovation.
“I hold up the Urology Institute as a model for other departments. They know how to balance our mission of healing, teaching and discovery. It’s been wonderful to watch the expansion of new programs and the increase in engagement.” DAN SIMON, MD, PRESIDENT, UH CLEVELAND MEDICAL CENTER
urology at a gance | 3
GROWTH & RECOGNITION
$15 million gift
2x the faculty
to create UH Cutler Center for Men
added in 2 years
Doubled
number of gender affirmation surgeries in just one year
Nearly 150 publications in 2020
150%
increase in research grants awarded from 2018 to 2020
The region’s only
comprehensive LGBTQ Gender Care program
#26
Urology program ranked by U.S News & World Report
Expanded access to care with services available at
100%
of UH hospital locations
Consistently ranked in the
top 25
for NIH research funding
Our expertise is superior-and our people are, too.
clinical expertise | 5
For every urological need, we have a provider who’s ready to help. Our outstanding professionals are leaders of our field. But they’re also patient-centered “people-people” who are driven to provide thoughtful, more personalized care. This means working together and collaborating across disciplines to ensure every need is met. It requires delving to extraordinary depths to get to the roots of patients’ concerns. And it means keeping their health at the forefront, while never losing sight of their humanity. Having an entrepreneurial spirit has pushed us to grow fast, and we can accommodate more needs and reach new and vulnerable populations. We continually find new ways to add value to our patients. We wouldn’t want it any other way.
Meeting every patient’s needs is at the core of everything we do. CLINICAL EXPERTISE Oncology Female Pelvic Medicine Endourology Reconstructive Urology
Male Reproductive & Sexual Health Pediatric Urology Female Sexual Health
A first-of-its-kind Female Sexual Health division Our new Female Sexual Health division brings women’s sexual health to the forefront. Women with often unaddressed sexual health concerns will now receive multidisciplinary care from experts focused exclusively on their needs.
LGBTQ gender care.
“These are challenging patient populations, but when we are able to help these individuals, it is extremely gratifying. We are shining a light on University Hospitals because few places are offering these services.” SHUBHAM GUPTA, MD, FACS DIRECTOR OF GENDER & SEXUAL DIVERSITY SERVICES, DIVISION CHIEF OF RECONSTRUCTIVE UROLOGY
LGBTQ gender care | 7
We help patients rethink what’s possible. Compassionate care for individuals with gender dysphoria. To address the health disparities that exist in the LGBTQ population, University Hospitals LGBTQ and Gender Care Services program provides gender affirmation surgery and customized, quality care and consultation.
HOW WE’RE REIMAGINING CARE More than doubling gender affirmation surgeries in just one year Performing more surgeries than any other U.S. academic health center in Ohio and several neighboring states Completed the first phalloplasty in the state of Ohio in July 2020 SERVICES OFFERED Dedicated patient care navigator to help connect patients to the right expertise and services for their unique situation Gender affirmation surgeries for feminization and masculinization
UH Cutler Center for Men
“We’re redefining what well-being means for men and building programs that address every aspect of health--at every stage of life.” LEE PONSKY, MD, FACS
Cutler Center for Men’s Health | 9
We’re the new face of Men’s Health. Welcome, guys: to an interdisciplinary center that was made for you, by the people who understand you. (Consider us the consummate wingman.) The UH Cutler Center for Men was created to help address men’s unique situational needs throughout every stage of life. On top of providing the best medical care and treatment: we’ll simply help men feel better. HOW WE’RE REIMAGINING CARE Offering a personal concierge (Joe) to navigate and guide men to better health to address situational needs, every step of the way Integrating men’s health providers across UH medical departments Engaging African-American men to improve healthcare outcomes and disparities Providing programs for mentorship and positive encouragement SERVICES OFFERED Welcoming, tailored value-add services and programs, along with seamless support Personal well-being and support, including Mental Fitness, Digestive Fitness, Athletic Fitness, Cardio Fitness and Nutritional Fitness Tailored screenings, strength finders, advice for new dads, financial education and marriage counseling Men’s health-centered PCPs and specialists for preventive, individualized care
To access Cutler Center for Men services, just call Joe: 216-844-4MEN (216-844-4636)
An environment that advances ideas.
“The Urology Institute has enjoyed great success thanks to visionary leadership that has recruited physicians and scientists with complementary strengths, fostered a culture of collaboration and embraced team science to address some of the most critical unmet medical needs in urologic health.” MUKESH K. JAIN, MD, CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS
Photo: Dr. Shiv Verma performing cell culture
research | 11
How we’re reimagining urology. RESEARCH We’re dedicated to helping clinicians and physician-scientists realize their visions. So we provide assistance at every level, from coordinating funding to providing state-of-the-art labs. After all, our culture encourages exploration and provides a supportive environment for our team--and given the innovations we’ve seen, we’re confident that this approach works. OUR RESEARCH APPROACH BUILDS UPON BASIC SCIENCE
The James and Eilleen Dicke Urology Research Laboratory
Prostate Cancer & Precision Medicine
Led by Sanjay Gupta, MD, PhD,the lab’s research involves basic, translational and clinical areas of focus, and is currently working on the development of prognostic models and application of small molecules for prevention and therapy of cancer.
In an effort to develop precision tools for cancer care, Jonathan Shoag, MD, conducts translational and clinical research focused on bringing large data, genomic sequencing and novel AI and statistical techniques for better patient outcomes. The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation supports Dr. Shoag’s novel approaches to fighting cancer, moving science discoveries from the lab to the patient.
The Grabowska Laboratory Headed by Magdalena M. Grabowska, PhD, the Grabowska Lab studies genitourinary conditions like prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia and bladder cancer to better understand how these conditions develop and acquire therapeutic resistance.
research | 12
HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR WORK In collaboration with a team at Case Western Reserve University, Britt Conroy, MD, PhD, and David Sheyn, MD, developed an accurate, AI-based model to predict whether women will respond to anticholinergic therapy for overactive bladder. This work is currently undergoing clinical trial. Jonathan Shoag, MD, recently coauthored work that illustrated how BPH, a very common condition of aging, actually has several different subtypes, which may be amenable to precision therapy. One of our studies has shown that patient-derived stem cells can correct certain forms of urinary incontinence. Our physician-scientists designed a proprietary biodegradable mesh, which avoids the complications associated with conventional synthetic mesh used to correct female related urinary incontinence.
Irina Jaeger, MD, is the first female in the nation to be designated as a Greenlight™ Center of Excellence for the treatment of BPH, and the first female in Ohio and first academic center in the country to be awarded the UroLift® Center of Excellence. Lee Ponsky, MD, FACS, is the co-principal investigator on an NIH R01 grant to develop a combined quantitative MRI and computerized decision support exam for more accurate detection and grading of prostate cancer, both in the peripheral and transitional zones. Laura Bukavina, MD, MPH, was awarded the Pilot Award by the UH Research & Education Institute for her study, “Impact of Mental Health Treatment on Bladder Cancer Mortality in US Veterans.”
research | 13
2020Results This approach often leads to exciting breakthroughs—and new avenues to explore. In 2020 alone, research activity included:
57
approved, ongoing clinical research studies
18
studies in development or under IRB review
“We have been fortifying the culture of research among our faculty, our leadership and our trainees to show that the department values research as a central role in our mission. By supporting the Parallel Path, we can empower and engage our clinical faculty to realize their academic dreams.” ADONIS HIJAZ, MD, VICE CHAIR OF ACADEMICS AND RESEARCH
146
publications in academic journals
98
abstracts accepted for 2020 meetings, with 7 selected for podium presentations
52
grant applications submitted in 2020, including 26 federally funded
Notable Awards UH Research & Education Institute Pilot Award: Dr. Laura Bukavina, PI; “Impact of Mental Health Treatment on Bladder Cancer Mortality in US Veterans” —October 2020
Sanjay Gupta, PhD, Professor & Endowed Chair, Department of Urology, School of Medicine Eswar Shankar, PhD, Research Scientist, Department of Urology, School of Medicine Shiv S. Verma, PhD, Research Associate, Department of Urology, School of Medicine
Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership: Dr. Agata Exner, Dr. Jim Basilion, & Dr. Lee Ponsky; “Drug-Free Targeted Prostate Cancer Treatment with TNT–Targeted Nanobubble Therapy” —December 2020
We work in Parallel Paths.™ At every level, our team is committed to recruiting and supporting driven, gifted and ambitious faculty who are true clinician scientists. And to ensure that these brilliant minds have every opportunity to explore their interests, and can still remain focused on research, academics and innovation, we introduced the Parallel Path™. It involves a significant infrastructure that partners basic scientists and clinical researchers, statisticians, research coordinators and database managers with clinicians to ensure everyone has the support they need. This allows clinicians to simultaneously achieve both clinical and academic productivity. We’re excited by this unique model and intend to expand it, so we can continue pursuing ideas, innovating, developing new techniques, making new discoveries and publishing our findings. Ultimately, following the Parallel Path™ leads to sharing our work all around the world.
research | 15
How the Parallel Path™ works. THE OLD WAY Clinical productivity was the highest priority. Academics were secondary, and clinicians used their personal time (nights and weekends) to pursue their research interests.
THE PARALLEL PATH™ The academic mission is prioritized and supported alongside clinical work.
HIGHEST PRIORITY
Clinical Productivity
Clinical Productivity
Research & Collaboration during work hours
SECONDARY PRIORITY
Academics
CLINICIAN ON PARALLEL PATH™
Personal Time PERSONAL TIME
Research
We are a Residency Family.
“As a urologist and surgeon in training, the opportunities we have at University Hospitals are incredible. There is a strong commitment to mentorship, and we are able to work with pioneering specialists on cutting-edge procedures and therapies. The care provided to our patients is on par with any other top medical center in the world.” DANLY OMIL-LIMA, MD
residency program | 17
Our residency program. Residents are given all the tools they need to succeed in both academic and private practice urology. As a result, our graduates are aggressively recruited, and often matriculate into highly competitive fellowships. We are known for producing more department chairpersons than any other urology department in the U.S.
Shubham Gupta, MD
Director, Surgical Gender Affirmation Program Division Chief, Reconstructive Urology
Adonis Hijaz, MD
Director, Female Pelvic Surgery Vice Chairman, Department of Urology
Lee Ponsky, MD, FACS
Chairman, Urology Institute
“Our providers are outstanding doctors, surgeons, researchers and advanced practice professionals. They’re not only the technically skilled experts you want taking care of your friends and family, but also great people you would want to join for dinner.” LEE PONSKY, MD, FACS, CHAIRMAN, UROLOGY INSTITUTE
Rachel Pope, MD, MPH
Division Chief, Female Sexual Health
Amihay Nevo, MD
Division Chief, Endourology
Nannan Thirumavalavan, MD
Division Chief, Male Reproductive & Sexual Health
Lynn Woo, MD
Division Chief, Pediatric Urology
Meet the people who push our ideas forward.
the team | 20
Ramy Abou-Ghayda, MD
General Urology, Men’s Health
Elizabeth Bucher, CNP
General Urology
Debby Chuang, MD
General Urology
Courtney Behmlander, CPN
Donald Bodner, MD
Laura Bukavina, MD
Adam Calaway, MD
General Urology
Oncology, Incoming 2023
Britt Conroy, MD
General Urology
Endourology
Oncology
Mary Deley, CNP
General Urology
the team | 21
Kyle Ericson, MD
Kim Fitzgerald, MD
General Urology
General Urology
Susan Flick, CNP
Oncology, Men’s Health
“I think we have a really strong team...we have leadership from the top that is very interested in pushing the envelope and being a really innovative type of place. We’re already building a national name for ourselves...and we have the real potential to improve care in our community.” JONATHAN SHOAG, MD
Rashed Ghandour, MD
General Urology/Oncology
Zane Giffen, MD
General Urology
Shubham Gupta, MD
Reconstructive Urology
the team | 22
Jessica Hannick, MD Pediatric Urology
Joseph (Welles) Henderson, MD Female Pelvic Medicine
Adonis Hijaz, MD
Female Pelvic Medicine
“I find it so valuable to collaborate with departments and specialty areas across UH, including gynecology, physical therapy, psychology, infectious disease and oncology. This way we can offer patients a quality treatment plan tailored to their needs.” ANNA MYERS, CNP
Irina Jaeger, MD
Endourology
Jason Jankowski, MD
Oncology
Kimberly Kainec, CNP
General Urology
the team | 23
William Larchian, MD
Aram Loeb, MD
Anna Myers, CNP
Amihay Nevo, MD
General Urology
General Urology & Female Sexual Health
Rachel Pope, MD, MPH Female Sexual Health
Male Reproductive & Sexual Health
Endourology
John Rabets, MD
General Urology
Howard Minott, MD
General Urology
Lee Ponsky, MD, FACS
Oncology
Maria Rajki, CNP
General Urology
the team | 24
Kyle Scarberry, MD
Reconstructive Urology
Emily Sopko, CNP
General Urology
David Sheyn, MD
Jonathan Shoag, MD
Female Pelvic Medicine
Oncology
Nannan Thirumavalavan, MD
Lynn Woo, MD
Male Reproductive & Sexual Health
Pediatric Urology
(NOT PICTURED) JOHN PECK, MD General Urology
JACK WEAVER, MD
Pediatric Urology, Incoming 2022
Michael Zell, MD
General Urology
John Zhao, MD
General Urology
And now...back to shaping the future of urology.
216-844-3009 UHhospitals.org/Urology
