Hubert Swana, MD, was named program director for the WashU Medicine urologic surgery residency. His role as program director is effective as of August 1.
Swana joined the WashU Medicine faculty in the Division of Urology in 2024 as a professor of surgery, specializing in pediatric and neonatal urologic surgery. He has earned recognition for his expertise in minimally invasive and complex reconstructive urologic surgery, bringing experience and knowledge to WashU Medicine. He is currently director of pediatric urology and co-director of the spina bifida clinic at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Before joining WashU Medicine, Swana served as an attending pediatric urologist at the Florida Hospital for Children, Nemours Children’s Hospital, and the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. At Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, he also served as chair of the surgery department. He has been board certified in urology since 2002 and pediatric urology since 2008. He was a faculty member at the University of South Florida School of Medicine Urology residency and served as the site director for pediatric urology. At the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, he served as urology chair for education and as a research group leader.
Swana has previously been recognized for his clinical contributions with the Health Care Achievement Award by the Spina Bifida Association of America. He has also appeared in the Castle Connolly Top Doctors list since 2014 in the Orlando area and continues to be listed as such in the St. Louis region.
“I was thrilled when Dr. Swana joined our faculty and continue to be impressed by his commitment to the mission of WashU Surgery,” said Michael Johnson, MD, director of the Division of Urology. “He represents the best of academic surgery – exceptional patient care, impactful research, and dedicated teaching. Dr. Swana’s enthusiasm for education has energized our residents and faculty on making the most of teaching and mentorship.”
Prior to being named director of the urologic residency, Swana held positions in national and international urology committees and professional organizations. He has participated in global urology outreach programs in South and Central America. He has been a member of the Society of Pediatric Urology since 2010. Since 2020 he has served on the research advisory committee and professional advisory council of the Spina Bifida Association. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
His leadership in these organizations underscores his dedication to improving medical standards and fostering innovative treatments. He is actively involved in clinical education, mentoring the next generation of medical professionals, and ensuring that the highest standards of medical practice are upheld.
“It is an honor and a privilege to help attract and train the next generation of urologic physicians and leaders here at WashU,” Swana said.
Swana earned his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Before entering residency, he completed a pathology fellowship at Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital. He completed general surgery training and urology residency training at Yale University in New Haven, CT. He completed a pediatric urology fellowship at University of California in San Francisco, CA.
Assistant professor of urology, Kefu Du, MD, also began his appointment as the associate program director on August 1. Du has been a member of the urology faculty at WashU Medicine since 2018. He is an expert in minimally invasive treatments for urologic oncology and stone disease. Du received the WashU Resident Teaching Award for Urology in 2025. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN and completed general surgery and urology training at the University of Utah. He completed fellowship training in minimally invasive urology at WashU Medicine.