Letter from the Director
I am excited to share the latest updates and achievements from the Division of Urology, where our mission is to advance patient care through surgical innovation, clinical trials, and groundbreaking basic science research. Our dedicated team of residents, fellows, and faculty work tirelessly to improve outcomes for urologic diseases, including prostate cancer. Over the past several decades, Washington University urologists developed PSA testing for prostate cancer screening, pioneered laparoscopic kidney surgery, and have led many important developments in robotic surgery.
I am particularly proud of our recent research efforts focused on urologic oncology. Within prostate cancer, we are studying advanced MRI technology to improve cancer detection, while our prostate cancer lab, headed by Drs. Nupam and Kiran Mahajan, is developing new therapies in metastatic cancer. Within bladder cancer, we continue to advance multidisciplinary, new therapies to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this deadly disease. New surgical approaches to removing kidney cancers, coupled with immunotherapies to reduce their recurrence, have brightened the horizon for our kidney cancer patients.
Our division proudly continues to excel in training the next generation of urologists through our prestigious fellowship programs in urologic trauma/reconstruction, endourology, and urologic oncology. Our fellows gain extensive experience in clinical urology and work closely with faculty mentors, showcasing our commitment to leading educational and clinical initiatives.
Academic urology has never had a more fitting home than at WashU Medicine, and we are pleased to welcome to our faculty Drs. Omar Dawood, Yousef Al-Shraideh, and our urologic residency alum, Andrew McLaughlin. Our division remains committed to excellence in patient care, surgical innovation, and groundbreaking research. We look forward to continuing our efforts to push the boundaries of urologic science and surgery.
The urologic residency program underwent an update in faculty, with Dr. Hubert Swana stepping in as residency program director and Dr. Kefu Du taking the role of associate program director. Our dedicated and dynamic faculty are committed to delivering exemplary patient care while providing close mentorship to our residents. We work individually with each resident, supporting their career goals as they gain clinical acumen, refine their surgical skills, and develop their professional identity. In addition to providing extensive clinical experience and mentoring, we are dedicated to our residents’ well-being, fostering wellness and resilience to ensure their success.
Michael H. Johnson, MD
Director, Division of Urologic Surgery
Professor of Surgery