The Department of Urology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill delivers excellence in patient care, education, and research. At 黑料网 Urology, we provide patients with a continuum of care and support throughout their recovery process. We strive to find better techniques and treatment options, provide education for patients and their families, and continue to advocate for their needs long after they leave our program.
In addition to their work in Chapel Hill, our faculty are recognized as thought leaders both nationally and internationally, and play a key role in advancing the field and mentoring the next generation of leaders in Urology.
Please join us in celebrating the many recent accomplishments of the Department in 2023:
Awards
We are proud to have the excellence and leadership of our faculty consistently recognized by patients, peers, and national organizations.
Kathryn Gessner Receives BCAN鈥檚 2023 Young Investigator Award
Kathryn Gessner, MD, PhD, a Clinical Fellow specializing in Urologic Oncology, has been honored with the esteemed Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network鈥檚 (BCAN) 2023 Young Investigator Award.
Bukowski Presented With 鈥淎ward for Outstanding Achievement鈥� at the 2023 NCPeds Annual Meeting
Timothy Bukowski, MD, FAAP, FACS, has been honored with the 鈥淎ward for Outstanding Achievement鈥� at the 2023 North Carolina Pediatric Society (NCPeds) Annual Meeting. This award is presented to a pediatrician or professional working in pediatrics who has demonstrated exceptional service to enhance the health and well-being of children and adolescents.
Angela Smith Recipient of the 2023 SWIU Christina Manthos Mentoring Award
Congratulations to Dr. Angela Smith on receiving the 2023 SWIU Christina Manthos Mentoring Award in recognition of her exceptional mentoring skills and widely recognized commitment to empowering and guiding medical students, residents, and junior urologists, with a particular emphasis on championing the professional growth of women urologists.
Angela Smith Recipient of 黑料网鈥檚 2023 Early Career Achievement Award
Angela Smith has been named the inaugural recipient of the 黑料网 Medical Alumni Affairs Early Career Achievement Award for 2023. This award recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions to their field of medicine through their scientific, academic, or humanitarian endeavors within the first 15 years of their careers.
Kathryn Hacker Gessner, MD, PhD Receives Prestigious Pope Clinical Trainee Award
Congratulations to Dr. Kathryn Hacker Gessner who has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2023 Pope Clinical Trainee Awards.
View Last Year’s (2022) Awards and Recognition News
National Leadership
Alongside their efforts in Chapel Hill, 黑料网 Urology faculty members provide substantive leadership in service to multiple national organizations in urology.
Marc Bjurlin Takes the Stage in Florence, Italy at the 8th Annual European Conference on Tobacco Control
Marc Bjurlin was honored with an invitation to lead a plenary lecture focusing on the intricate relationship between smoking and bladder cancer at the 8th Annual European Conference on Tobacco Control (ECTC) hosted in Florence, Italy
Nielsen Appointed to NQF Diagnostic Excellence Committee
Matthew Nielsen has been appointed to the National Quality Forum (NQF) Diagnostic Excellence Committee, under the NQF Advancing Measurement of Diagnostic Excellence for Better Healthcare Initiative.
Katherine Chan Appointed to the AUA鈥檚 Research Grants and Investigator Support Committee
Katherine Chan has been appointed to the AUA’s RGISC – a reflection of her remarkable expertise and contributions to the field of urology, particularly in the areas of urologic research and peer mentoring.
Nielsen Sheds Light on Prostate Cancer and Health Equity at 黑料网 and Across the Country
Matthew Nielsen delivered insightful talks on prostate cancer and health equity at both 黑料网 and a recent National Academies of Medicine symposium.
Exploring Mentorship and Coaching in Urology: Insights and Strategies for Overcoming Burnout
Angela Smith and Zach Klaassen discuss mentorship and coaching in urology, highlighting the significance of having multiple mentors and the notion that everyone can act as both a mentor and a mentee.
黑料网 Urology at AUA2023
Full schedule of 黑料网 Urology courses, lectures, panels, forums being presented at the AUA 2023 meeting in Chicago.
Katherine Chan to become 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 First Vice Chair for Research
Dr. Katherine Chan, a distinguished surgeon-scientist will become 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 inaugural Vice Chair for Research beginning April 1st.
黑料网 Urology Researchers鈥� Abstract Selected for the AUA2023 Annual Meeting Press Program
A team of 黑料网 researchers鈥� work has earned them a coveted spot in the American Urological Association’s (AUA) 2023 Annual Meeting Press Program including Hannah E. Kay, MD, 黑料网 Urology 2nd Year Resident
Viprakasit Trip to Thailand: A Journey of Professional and Cultural Exchange
Davis Viprakasit recently had the privilege of being invited as a visiting professor for the Fourth Annual Sharing Urological Experiences Thai and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (TUPMC) Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This academic collaboration brought together urologists from Thailand and the United States to exchange knowledge and ideas on the latest advancements in urologic care.
View Last Year’s (2022) National Leadership News
Education
The 黑料网 Urology residency, ranked #17 in the country in the US News / Doximity Residency Rankings, attracts candidates from top medical schools around the country, who go on to be leaders in urology across the spectrum of practice settings.
Hersh Trivedi Awarded with NC Jaycee Burn Center Intern Award
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Hersh Trivedi, a Second Year Resident in the 黑料网 Urology residency program, was honored with the 鈥淣C Jaycee Burn Center Intern Award鈥� by the Department of Surgery this past July.
黑料网 Urology Trainees Spratte and Walker Shine at AUA Early Career Investigators Workshop
黑料网 Urology is proud to announce that Drs. Brooke Spratte and Colton Walker were selected to participate in the prestigious AUA Early Career Investigators Workshop.
黑料网 Urology鈥檚 2023 Residency Program Rankings
At 黑料网 Urology, Resident education is a top priority. We strive to provide the right balance of supervision and autonomy so that our residents can make an immediate impact in any position. This is one of the many reasons we are the highest ranked surgical residency program at 黑料网.
Bi-Directional Learning For Health Equity: Urology Surgeon Visits Malawi
Christine Nikas, MD, wrapping up year five as a chief resident in the Department of Urology, completed a global health observership at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi.
黑料网 Urology Matches Gianpaolo (Gino) Carpinito, MD in 2024 Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Fellowship
We are excited to welcome Gianpaolo (Gino) Carpinito, MD as our 2024-2026 Urologic Oncology Fellow.
2023 End of Year Department of Urology Awards
This year鈥檚 Resident of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Hannah Kay, and the Attending of the Year award was presented to Dr. Kristy Borawski.
Celebrating the Graduation of 黑料网 Urology Residents Demzik, McCloskey, & Nikas
Join us in celebrating the achievements of 黑料网 Urology Residency Program graduates, Drs. Alysen Demzik, Hannah McCloskey, and Christine Nikas.
Brooke Spratte Selected as Resident Representative on the Strategic Plan Steering Committee
We are excited to announce that Dr. Brooke Spratte, a resident in the Department of Urology, has been selected as one of the Resident Representatives on the newly formed Strategic Plan Steering Committee for the 黑料网.
Kathryn Hacker Gessner, MD, PhD Receives Prestigious Pope Clinical Trainee Award
Congratulations to Dr. Kathryn Hacker Gessner who has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2023 Pope Clinical Trainee Awards.
Match Day 2023 鈥� 黑料网 Urology Residency Class of 鈥�28
Congratulations to Benjamin Borgert (Florida State University), Hunter LaCouture (University of Colorado), and Kyle McCloskey (East Carolina University) – our 黑料网 Urology Residency Class of ’28. We look forward to greeting you all in Chapel Hill later this year.
View Last Year’s (2022) Education News
Patient Care
黑料网 Urology is committed to providing our patients with a personalized and caring experience that supports health, delivers value, and is free from harm.
黑料网 Urology鈥檚 Newest Faculty Member: Kathryn Hacker Gessner, MD, PhD
We are thrilled to announce that Kathryn Hacker Gessner, MD, PhD is the latest addition to our esteemed faculty at 黑料网 Urology 鈥� joining us in December of 2023 as an Assistant Professor of Urology.
Pioneering 黑料网 Urologist Employs Advanced, Minimally Invasive 鈥淩obotic鈥� Surgeries For Pediatric Patients
When Dr. Hans Arora recently performed two particularly complex urologic surgeries simultaneously on a young patient, he utilized the most advanced techniques and robotic tools available. As a result, the child experienced far less discomfort than with a traditional 鈥渙pen鈥� procedure, had several very small 陆-inch scars vs. one large 12-inch scar the length of her abdomen, and went home in less than two days instead of spending five to seven days in the hospital.
Celebrating Outreach Excellence: Dr. Zach Feuer, MD, Delivers Prostate Cancer Education in Spanish
In conjunction with 黑料网 Lineberger鈥檚 Community Outreach and Engagement Office, Dr. Zach Feuer took the stage, delivering a comprehensive session addressing crucial aspects of prostate cancer, including screening, diagnosis, and treatment, entirely in Spanish.
黑料网 Urology and Pediatric Urology Ranked #40 & #23 in the Nation in U.S. News & World Report
黑料网 Hospitals Urology program was recently ranked as 40th in the Nation in the latest edition of the U.S. News & World Report 鈥淏est Hospitals鈥�
黑料网 Urology Welcomes Dr. Minh Pham
黑料网 Urology is thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Minh Pham. Dr. Pham鈥檚 return to North Carolina marks not only a professional milestone for him but also a significant moment for our urology department as we continue to grow our esteemed faculty.
黑料网 Urology Patients Benefit from Minimally Invasive 鈥淩ezum鈥� Procedure for Enlarged Prostates
Rezum is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure for men with mild to moderately enlarged prostates. It involves injecting hot water vapor (steam) directly into the part of the prostate that compresses the urethra. This heated vapor results in a shrinking of the enlarged tissue over a period of several weeks.
黑料网 Urologists Perform Innovative 鈥淭ransperineal Biopsies鈥� to Reduce Risks and Optimize Prostate Cancer Detection
Urologists at 黑料网 are at the forefront of performing a highly effective procedure called 鈥渢ransperineal biopsies鈥� of the prostate, in which the biopsy needle enters through the patient鈥檚 perineum instead of the rectum. At 黑料网, traditional transrectal biopsies have a very low risk of serious infection.
黑料网鈥檚 Advanced Robotic Surgery Tools Provide Less Invasive 鈥淪ingle Port鈥� Procedures For Urology Patients
We only need to make a single incision instead of multiple incisions, which typically translates into less post operative pain, and the patient being able to leave the hospital sooner,鈥� says Dr. Bjurlin.
Urologists at 黑料网 Perform Advanced 鈥淔usion鈥� Biopsies, Helping to Provide Enhanced Prostate Cancer Detection
University urologists have extensive training and experience with fusion biopsies, having collectively completed over 1,000 procedures to date.
黑料网 Health Named One of the Top Places to Work in Healthcare
黑料网 Health has been recognized as one of the 鈥淭op 150 Places to Work in Healthcare鈥� by Becker鈥檚 Hospital Review.
FORTUNE Recognizes 黑料网 Health as One of America鈥檚 Most Innovative Companies
FORTUNE has named 黑料网 Health one of 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Most Innovative Companies鈥� in its inaugural release of the FORTUNE鈥檚 Most Innovative list.
Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan Announced as New Director of Urologic Oncology Program
The Department of Urology is excited to announce that Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM has been named the new Director of Urologic Oncology and will also become the Co-Director of the Urologic Oncology Program within the 黑料网 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
黑料网 Brings Innovative HoLEP Procedure for BPH Treatment to Patients in the Southeastern U.S.
黑料网 is one of only a handful of centers in the Southeastern U.S. offering the advanced, minimally invasive, HoLEP procedure for BPH.
黑料网 Urology鈥檚 鈥楥astle Connolly Top Doctors鈥� Grows to 12
Congratulations to Drs. Borawski, Bukowski, Chan, Figler, Nielsen, Raynor, Ross, Smith, Sutherland, Tan, Viprakasit, and Wallen, who received the ‘Top Doctor’ designation from Castle Connolly.
View Last Year’s (2022) Patient Care News
Professional Development
黑料网 Urology attracts the most talented faculty from around the country, and we are proud of their development into leading experts in their field.
黑料网 Urology Trainees Spratte and Walker Shine at AUA Early Career Investigators Workshop
黑料网 Urology is proud to announce that Drs. Brooke Spratte and Colton Walker were selected to participate in the prestigious AUA Early Career Investigators Workshop.
Kristy Borawski Elected to 黑料网 Faculty Physicians Board
黑料网 Urology is delighted to announce the recent election of, Dr. Kristy Borawski, to the 黑料网 Faculty Physicians Board.
黑料网 Urology Names Drs. Arora and Friedlander 鈥淐o-Directors of Quality Improvement鈥�
黑料网 Urology is excited to announce the creation of two new positions that will play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of patient care and furthering our commitment to excellence. We are proud to announce that Drs. Hans Arora and Dave Friedlander will serve as the Department鈥檚 inaugural Co-Directors of Quality Improvement (QI).
Katherine Chan Selected for AAMC鈥檚 鈥淢id-Career Women Faculty Leadership Development鈥� Seminar
We are pleased to announce that Katherine Chan, MD, MPH, has been selected to attend this year鈥檚 AAMC Mid-Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar in Atlanta.
Celebrating Excellence: Highlights from 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 Annual Faculty Retreat
黑料网 Urology recently came together for its much-anticipated annual Faculty Retreat. As we reflect on the event, our achievements collectively underscore the dedication and excellence that define 黑料网 Urology.
Arora and Pham Selected for Inaugural Expansion of LAMP Program
Hans Arora, MD, PhD, and Dr. Minh Nguyen Pham, MD, have been selected for participation in the Leadership in Academic Medicine Program (LAMP) 2023-2024 cohort. Designed to support junior faculty within their first three years, LAMP aims to build a sense of community, purpose, direction, and confidence, facilitating a thriving career at 黑料网.
Celebrating Dr. Davis Viprakasit鈥檚 Promotion to Professor of Urology
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Dr. Davis Viprakasit to the position of 鈥淧rofessor of Urology.鈥� Dr. Viprakasit鈥檚 journey 鈥� throughout his career 鈥� has been notable due to his dedication to providing outstanding clinical care, and many invaluable contributions to the field of urology.
Kristy Borawski Promoted to Professor of Urology
We are delighted to announce the recent promotion of Dr. Kristy Borawski to the position of 鈥淧rofessor of Urology鈥� within the Department of Urology, effective July 1st, 2023.
Kristy Borawski Selected for Newly Launched Leading Transformation in Academic Medicine (LTAM) Program
Kristy Borawski, Professor of Urology, has been accepted to participate in the Leading Transformation in Academic Medicine (LTAM) program – an immersive leadership development opportunity designed to foster the growth and expertise of exceptional faculty
Brooke Spratte Selected as Resident Representative on the Strategic Plan Steering Committee
We are excited to announce that Dr. Brooke Spratte, a resident in the Department of Urology, has been selected as one of the Resident Representatives on the newly formed Strategic Plan Steering Committee for the 黑料网.
Chan and Smith Complete 黑料网 SOM Coaching Academy 鈥楲evel 2 Coach Training鈥�
Katherine Chan and Angela Smith, have recently completed the intensive Level 2 Coach Training program offered by the 黑料网鈥檚 Coaching Academy, in collaboration with Pyramid Resource Group鈥檚 Healthcare Coaching Institute (HCI)
Friedlander Selected as 黑料网 IHQI Improvement Scholar
David Friedlander, an Assistant Professor of Urology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, has been selected as an Improvement Scholar by the 黑料网 Institute for Healthcare Quality Improvement (IHQI).
Working Smarter, Not Harder: 黑料网鈥檚 Professional Development Series with Dr. Angela Smith
The FALD presents a new Professional Development Series led by Dr. Angela Smith. The first session, “Harnessing your Habits to Work Smarter, Not Harder,” is an interactive event on March 23rd, 2023, that aims to help participants build good habits and leave with a personalized strategy for creating the academic life they really want.
Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MS Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
Please join us in congratulating Dr .Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan on his promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure.
黑料网 Names Dr. Angela Smith as Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development
The 黑料网 Department of Urology is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Angela Smith as the new Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development. In this new role, Dr. Smith will be responsible for leading initiatives aimed at enhancing the professional growth and development of faculty members within the school.
View Last Year’s (2022) Professional Development News
Research
Our faculty are leading a variety of innovative and practice-changing research efforts that will help to define the standards of care in their field.
黑料网 Men鈥檚 Health Program & Carolina Demography Launch Innovative Web Tool to Combat Prostate Cancer Disparities in North Carolina
Eric Wallen, Professor of Urology and 黑料网 Men’s Health Program Director, is co-leading the effort to improve diagnostic and health outcomes for all North Carolinians with prostate cancer, including Black Men and Native Americans, who are disproportionately affected. Prostate cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death for men in North Carolina.
Kathryn Gessner Receives BCAN鈥檚 2023 Young Investigator Award
Kathryn Gessner, MD, PhD, a Clinical Fellow specializing in Urologic Oncology, has been honored with the esteemed Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network鈥檚 (BCAN) 2023 Young Investigator Award.
Marc Bjurlin Takes the Stage in Florence, Italy at the 8th Annual European Conference on Tobacco Control
Bjurlin was honored with an invitation to lead a plenary lecture focusing on the intricate relationship between smoking and bladder cancer at the 8th Annual European Conference on Tobacco Control (ECTC) hosted in Florence, Italy
黑料网 Urology Department Participating in NC KUH TRIO Program
In a groundbreaking initiative, universities across North Carolina are joining forces to enhance nephrology, benign urology, and hematology research. The NC Kidney, Urology, Hematology (KUH) Training, Research, Innovation, Outreach (TRIO) Program aims to push scientific boundaries and nurture the next generation of researchers.
Tan is Interviewed by UroToday on The Effect of Visual and Numeric Risk Information on Surgeon Behavior
In an interview with UroToday, Dr. Ray Tan discussed a study he presented at the 2023 AUA annual meeting. The study, titled 鈥淭he Effect of Visual and Numeric Risk Information on Surgeon Behavior: a Randomized Clinical Vignette Experiment鈥�, examined how different forms of information presentation might impact surgical recommendations made by urologists.
Celebrating Drs. Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan and Ibardo Zambrano for Receiving the 鈥淧romoting Clinical Research in Southeastern NC鈥� Award
We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Drs. Tan and Zambrano on receiving the 鈥淧romoting Clinical Research in Southeastern NC鈥� award. This award will fund their submitted research pilot program, titled 鈥淩educing disparities in prostate cancer counseling and care through visual decision support.鈥�
AUA Introduces New Data Research Program with Key Involvement from 黑料网 Urologists
Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan and Dr. Matthew Nielsen have worked on developing the American Urological Association鈥檚 (AUA) new initiative; the AUA Data Research Program
Enhancing Patient-Centered Communication in Small Renal Mass Management 鈥� Dr. Kathryn Hacker Gessner
In an interview with UroToday, Dr. Kathryn Gessner discusses her focus on improving patient-centered communication for managing small renal masses, an issue faced by 30% of such patients.