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Kidney stones can quietly form in the urinary tract, often without any immediate signs or symptoms. These solid crystals develop when certain substances in the urine combine, and the type of stone that forms depends on the specific composition of the urine.

Each November, the Department of Urology is proud to partner with the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Medicine to raise awareness for and promote education surrounding health issues like prostate and testicular cancer. One overarching theme of screening for and successfully combatting these and other health issues is early detection – and knowing your family history can help immensely.

Nine providers in the Department of Urology were recently recognized by the UAB Office of Patient Experience and Engagement for the exceptional care they delivered to patients during FY24. These providers achieved a 95 percent or higher top box rating (n ≥ 30) in care satisfaction based on patient feedback in Medallia.

Sunil Sudarshan, M.D., professor in the UAB Department of Urology, has been named the next Associate Director for Basic Science at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, effective October 1, 2024.

Kristi Gidley, PA-C, MSHA, has been named Associate Vice President of Practice Expansion at UAB Medicine, effective Oct. 1, 2024. In this newly created role, Kristi will focus on the strategic and operational management of physician relationships and services within the UAB Health System. She will oversee the development of professional service agreements and community practice operations while supporting value-based care initiatives by aligning clinical practices with Health System metrics.

Could a common natural sweetener be silently fueling the spread of cancer?

HyeYoung Nam, Ph.D., Instructor in the UAB Department of Urology, has been awarded an O’Neal NextGen Faculty Development award from the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center (OCCC) for her study, “Altered fructose metabolism drives renal cancer tumorigenesis by promoting lipolysis.”

Members of the UAB Department of Urology will be participating in the World Congress of Endourology and Uro-Technology (WCET) happening Aug. 12-16, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. 

According to its website, this annual meeting of the WCET is a platform for "the worldwide advancement and dissemination of minimally-and non-invasive urologic surgical techniques including endoscopic surgery, percutaneous surgery, laparoscopy, robotic surgery, pediatric urology, reconstructive urology, focal therapy, active surveillance, and medical management," among others. 

The UAB Department of Urology hosted its annual graduation ceremony on Friday, June 21, 2024, at The Country Club of Birmingham.

In addition to honoring its three graduating residents, Luke Austin Ross Shumaker, M.D., Vijay Manyan Vishwanath, M.D., and Milton A'Keen Williams, M.D., the department recognized several individuals with its end-of-year awards.

The UAB Department of Urology is honoring its three graduating residents in 2024 after their five years of successful training with the department.

Take a look at where Luke Austin Ross Shumaker, M.D., Vijay Manyan Vishwanath, M.D., and Milton A'Keem Williams, M.D., started —and where their career paths will be taking them next. Congratulations!

The UAB Department of Urology associate professor, Kyle Wood, M.D., has recently graduated from the UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA).

Our quarterly newsletter disseminates significant updates regarding research, education, and clinical advancements undertaken by our esteemed faculty, residents, fellows, alumni, staff, and associates in the Department of Urology.

David B. Joseph, M.D., Vice Chair of Academic Affairs and a professor of the UAB Department of Urology was honored during the 2023 Annual American Urological Association’s Annual Meeting held in Chicago.

Joseph was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award for his exceptional dedication to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the American Board of Urology, and the field of pediatric urology.

Jeffrey Nix, M.D., MSHA, FACS, associate professor and Director of Robotic Surgery for the UAB Department of Urology, was recently named the Inaugural holder of the Joe A. Chambliss Prostate Cancer Research and Innovation Endowed Professorship commemorating his contributions to the field of urology oncology, surgical innovations and steadfast dedication to providing premier prostate cancer care for his patients.

Nix joined the Department of Urology in 2014 and specializes in providing comprehensive surgical and non-surgical treatment of patients with prostate cancer and other urologic cancers. Nix is a dedicated researcher and actively engages in prostate cancer research projects and clinical trials on both a regional and national level. His research and treatments aim to identify innovative methods for caring for prostate cancer.

Nix has implemented multiple different surgical techniques, such as robotic and minimally-invasive approaches to improvements in patient outcomes. His focus includes improving surgical methodologies, optimizing treatment plans, and exploring the role of advanced imaging techniques in testing and staging. Nix is recognized both nationally and internationally for his expertise in advanced procedures and helped play a pivotal role in introducing advanced single-incision robotic surgery and focal therapies for prostate cancer treatment at UAB. He was the first physician to bring the use of advanced image-guided prostate biopsy to the southeast, and the first to perform the first focal Nanoknife procedure of the prostate in the state of Alabama.

The Joe A. Chambliss Prostate Cancer Research and Innovation Endowed Professorship supports the Department of Urology and Nix’s ongoing research and contributions to the advancement of healthcare and prostate cancer care.

The department is proud to honor Dr. Jeffrey Nix as the inaugural holder of this endowed professorship for his outstanding patient care, treatment enhancements, and research initiatives at both UAB and within the field of urologic oncology.

Joseph Crivelli, M.D., assistant professor and endourologist from the Department of Urology, received a $900k five-year K23 career development grant funded by the National Institutes of Health to assess the social and dietary determinants of kidney stone risk in racially and ethnically diverse populations.