Woodson W. Smelser, MD

Woodson W. Smelser, MD

Director, Society for Urologic Oncology Fellowship
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Division of Urologic Surgery

Specialties

  • Urologic Surgical Oncology 
  • Robotic prostatectomy  
  • Robotic partial nephrectomy 
  • Robotic adrenalectomy 
  • Robotic and open cystectomy 
  • Robotic nephroureterectomy  
  • Laparoscopic and open nephrectomy 
  • Orchiectomy  
  • Ureteroscopy and laser tumor ablation 
  • Transurethral resection bladder tumor 

  • Cystoscopy 
  • Prostate biopsy 
  • Prostate cancer 
  • Kidney cancer 
  • Bladder cancer 
  • Testicular cancer 
  • Adrenal cancer 
  • Elevated Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) 
  • Hematuria 

Call for patient appointments: 314-362-8200


Meet Dr. Smelser 

Dr. Woodson Smelser is a urologic surgeon specializing in comprehensive minimally invasive urologic surgical care. 

He has expertise in robotic prostatectomy, adrenalectomy, nephrectomy, and treating urologic cancers. 

Dr. Smelser earned his medical degree from University of Missouri. He completed general surgery internship training and urologic surgery residency training at University of Missouri- Kansas City and a urologic oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  


Degrees

Medical Degree
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
2015

Residency

General Surgery Internship
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
2016

Urologic Surgery Residency
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
2020

Fellowship

Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Urologic Oncology
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
2022


Research interests

Prostate cancer 

Bladder cancer 

Upper tract cancer 

Kidney cancer 

Testis cancer 

Penile cancer 

Multidisciplinary cancer management


Locations

Center for Advanced Medicine
Urologic Surgery Center
4921 Parkview Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Suite: 11C
Fax: 888-425-8245
Appointments: 314-362-8200

Gary C. Werths Building at Siteman Cancer Center
4500 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108
Floor: 5th
Fax: 888-425-8245
Appointments: 314-362-8200

Hospital affiliations

Barnes-Jewish Hospital 

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital 

Missouri Baptist Medical Center 

Progress West Hospital 


Board certifications

  • Urology 

Dr. Smelser in the news

More information

Professional Memberships


American Urological Association
Society of Urologic Oncology
American College of Surgeons
South Central Section of the American Urological Association

Awards and Honors


American College of Surgeons Advisory Council Liaison to Urology 2016-2022
American Urological Association Residents and Fellows Committee 2016-2022
American Urological Association Letter of Commendation for Service 2021
Chief Resident in Urology, University of Kansas Medical Center 2020
Best Poster: Bladder Cancer Epidemiology, AUA Meeting 2019
KU Urology Resident Research Award 2018
KU Student Voice, Excellence in Residency Award 2018
Best Poster: Bladder Cancer IV, American Urological Association Meeting 2017
ACS Leadership and Advocacy Summit Scholarship Recipient 2016

Clinical Trials


Perioperative Hypogonadism in Men Undergoing Radical Cystoprostatectomy for Bladder Cancer. NCT0306312. Trial Site: University of Kansas Medical Center. Accrual completed May 2018. Principal Investigators: Woodson Smelser, MD and Jeffrey Holzbeierlein, MD. Manuscript published to Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Investigations, Jan 1, 2021.
Association of Preoperative Medical Optimization with Postoperative Outcomes for High-Risk Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery Surgery. Trial Site: Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Departments of Anesthesia, Surgery, and Urology. Principal Investigator: Matt McEvoy. Sub-Investigators: Woodson Smelser, MD, Kamran Idrees, MD, Alexander Hawkins, MD. (Target Opening of August 2022)
Phase II Clinical Trial of Pembrolizumab in Localized Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma. Sponsoring Trial Site: Washington University in St. Louis. Principal Investigators: Woodson Smelser, MD and Sam Chang, MD, MBA. Sponsored by Merck Investigator Studies Program. (Target Opening of December 2022)