Please join our department in congratulating Dr. Ahmad Z. Vafa on his retirement this month. Dr. Vafa has been affiliated with the University of Florida since his hire as a new faculty member at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (VAMC) in 2004, where he served as the chief of urology. Dr. Vafa was instrumental in establishing an outstanding urology clinic for our veterans, as well as organized resident education and training. After 16 years of performing urologic procedures and leading the VA division of urology, he is retiring to sunny Orlando with his lovely wife, Dr. Simin Zarandy-Vafa.
A retirement celebration was held in his honor Tuesday, January 24th at Paramount Grill. Attendees included faculty and spouses.
Please join us in wishing them endless grandchildren visits and vacations in their newfound free time.
UF Health, the safety of our patients, our caregivers and the community is a top priority. We are well-prepared to deal with any potential cases of COVID-19 and have robust protocols for addressing infectious diseases of this nature. Visit http://bit.ly/3aVB31M to learn more.
The UF Department of Urology would like to take this moment to again congratulate Andrew Rabley, MD for being this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Resident Educator Award. This award is sponsored by the Society of Teaching Scholars and consists of a gold pin signifying excellence in teaching, as well as a certificate. The award was to be presented March 18th at the Annual Medical Education Week reception, which was cancelled.
Please be sure to congratulate Dr. Rabley again when you see him.
Andrew Rabley, MD has been chosen to receive the University of Florida Department of Urology’s Outstanding Resident Instructor Award. This award is sponsored by the Society of Teaching Scholars and consists of a gold pin signifying excellence in teaching and a certificate. The award will be presented at the Annual Medical Education Week Reception on Wednesday evening, March 18, 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm, in the Atrium of the Harrell Medical Education Building.
Dr Rabley has demonstrated excellence in teaching when working with medical students, residents, and health care providers.
Discuss current treatment paradigm for manage low-grade UTUC
Discuss novel therapy for LG UTUC
Target Audience:
Urologists, Residents,
Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Staff
Accreditation:
The University of
Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for
Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education
for physicians.
Credit:
The University of Florida College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Support:
The Department of Urology within the University of Florida’s College of Medicine is hosting this free event which is internally supported.
Dr. Rawlings has
disclosed that he has no relevant financial relationships. Dr. Vincent Bird,
Planning Committee, is a consultant for Boston Scientific. No one else in a
position to control content has any financial relationship to disclose.
The University of Florida Department of Urologyinvites you to attend Grand Rounds:
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 7:00 – 8:00 AM
The In and Out of BCG: A Contemporary Review of the Literature and What’s To Come
Presenter: Kenan
Ashouri, MD
Learning
Objectives:
Upon completion of
this activity, participants should be able to:
Briefly review the historic role, guidelines, indications, and benefits of BCG
Discuss the contemporary reassessments of its use
Discuss allocation strategies in times of shortage
Discuss contemporary alternatives for BCG failure
Target Audience:
Urologists, Residents,
Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Staff
Accreditation:
The University of
Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for
Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education
for physicians.
Credit:
The University of Florida College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Support:
The Department of Urology within the University of Florida’s College of Medicine is hosting this free event which is internally supported.
Dr, Ashouri has
disclosed that he has no relevant financial relationships. Dr. Vincent Bird,
Planning Committee, is a consultant for Boston Scientific. No one else in a
position to control content has any financial relationship to disclose.
I am pleased to announce that Benjy Canales, MD has agreed to serve as the Director of Urologic Research for the UF Department of Urology. As many of you know, for several years now Dr. Canales has already been fulfilling many duties regarding research oversight within our department and I thought it would only be fitting to formalize his role. As a surgeon-scientist, I believe that he has the right background, training and accomplishments to serve in this capacity.
His duties will include the following:
Oversight of the DOU research group and lab, providing mentorship to PhDs and other lab personnel
Oversight of fellow, resident and student research projects, submission to meetings and attendance
Oversight of all IRB and statistical needs, personnel and support
Monitor and provide assistance on all DOU grant applications
Actively update and maintain DOU research webpage
Post research activities, publications, abstract acceptances and successes on social media
Please join me in
congratulating Dr. Canales for his assistance and leadership in this important
role.
Li-Ming Su, MD David A. Cofrin Professor of Urologic Oncology Chairman, Department of Urology
This April, UF Health celebrates Testicular Cancer Awareness Month to
inform and spread awareness about the importance of understanding this
disease. Testicular cancer occurs when cancer cells form in one or both
testicles and about 9,600 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this
year in the U.S., primarily affecting young men in their late teens
through early thirties.
The cancer usually presents itself as a mass, which may be
accompanied by pain or swelling in the testicle(s). However, one of the
biggest issues surrounding testicular cancer is patients waiting too
long to be seen by a physician. According to Dr. Padraic O’Malley, MSc, MD, FRCSC, the time between when a patient identifies an unusual mass and when they seek medical attention is critical.
“The sooner we can identify the cancer, the more we can limit the amount of treatment the patient will need,” Dr. O’Malley said.
We are excited to announce Elizabeth Kwenda has been selected as an American Urological Association and Urology Care Foundation Summer Medical Student Fellowship awardee! As an awardee she will receive a $4,000.00 stipend to support her during a ten-week mentored research experience.
The Summer Medical Student Fellowship Program is a chance for outstanding medical students to pursue urology research by engaging them in summer research fellowships alongside world-class urologic scientists, These awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Herbert Brendler, MD, Research Fund; the Arkansas Urologic Society; the Florida Urological Society; the Nathirmal N. Lalchandani, MD Research Fund and the Urology Care Foundation, the official foundation of the AUA.
Elizabeth’s mentors are Paul Crispen, MD and Sergei Kusmartsev, PhD. We are extremely proud of Elizabeth and her excellent work in bladder cancer research.
Help us spread this message of awareness and let others know the warning signs of bladder cancer. Share through email and social media. You never know who you might help.
To learn more about bladder cancer, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, please click here.
The UF Health Urologic Cancer Center in Gainesville provides a state of the art and comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with bladder cancer.
Our multidisciplinary team of fellowship-trained physicians, nurse practitioners and nurse and patient navigators collaborate to develop individualized patient treatment plans utilizing the latest in genetic profiling, minimally invasive surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. UF Health is actively involved in clinical trials and research to preserve the bladder whenever possible.
For more information on symptoms or to schedule an appointment with a care coordinator please call 352.265.8240.
Congratulations to Dr. Benjamin K. Canales (Urology), Dr. Muna T. Canales (Nephrology), Dr. Michelle Cardel (Health Outcomes), Dr. W. Troy Donahoo (Endocrinology) and Dr. Matthew Gurka (Health Outcomes)!
Their R21 grant entitled, “Phentermine/tOpiramate to eND Obesity and Uric acid stones Trial (POuND OUT)” was just funded through the NIH Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) section. Interdisciplinary efforts are becoming more critical for translational scientific discovery, and this collaboration from different departments and divisions within the University of Florida College of Medicine proves that team science is alive and well at UF. The POuND OUT proposal will investigate the ability of two FDA-approved weight loss medications to lower kidney stone risk in a population of obese, diabetic uric acid kidney stone formers. Enrollment through the Department of Urology is expected later this fall.
Please join us in congratulating these scientists for their hard work!
To Friends and Colleagues of UF Urology and UroGator Alumni,
It is with great pride and excitement that I share the recent announcement by the American Urological Association (AUA), which has formally named Thomas F. Stringer, MD as the new Treasurer-Elect of the AUA Board of Directors.
This is a fantastic and well-deserved recognition bestowed upon Tom who has dedicated so much time giving back to our profession from a clinical, service and educational standpoint. From the perspective of our department, Tom has been tireless in his efforts contributing to the leadership of our team, as well as to the educational mission, working with learners at all levels including medical and PA students, advance practice providers, nurses, residents and fellows. He is the first member of our department who has held a senior leadership role to this degree as an AUA officer. His knowledge and first hand experiences in both community-based practice and academia bring a unique skill set to this important role. I know I speak on behalf of all who know Tom that he will undoubtedly bring great passion, dedication, humility and collegiality to his new role. Congratulations Tom! This is a wonderful honor for you as well as our department.
To learn more visit https://bit.ly/3e2vP5S.
Sincerely,
Li-Ming Su, MD David A. Cofrin Professor of Urologic Oncology Chairman, Department of Urology University of Florida College of Medicine
“Decrypting Cryptorchidism: A Review of the Histologic Evidence Behind the Timing of Orchidopexy for Undescended Testes“
Presenter: Nikhil
Batra, MD
Learning
Objectives:
Upon completion of
this activity, participants should be able to:
Review the
background, epidemiology, and natural history of cryptorchidism including
normal testicular descent
Review of the
fertility data in support of orchidopexy for cryptorchidism
Review of the
oncologic data in support of orchidopexy for cryptorchidism
Review the consensus
recommendations for timing of orchidopexy for cryptorchidism
Target Audience:
Urologists, Residents,
Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Staff
Accreditation:
The University of
Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for
Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education
for physicians.
Credit:
The University of Florida College of Medicine
designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their
participation in the activity.
Support:
The Department of
Urology within the University of Florida’s College of Medicine is hosting
this free event which is
internally supported.
Contact Information:
If you have any
questions please feel free to contact
Dr. Batra has disclosed that he has no relevant
financial relationships. Dr. Vincent Bird, Planning Committee, is a consultant
for Boston Scientific. No one else in a position to control content has any
financial relationship to disclose.
Please join us in congratulating UF Urology Endourology/MIS Fellow and Clinical Instructor Jonathan Pavlinec, MD, and PGY3 Resident, Jeremy Archer, MD, on their induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Drs. Archer and Pavlinec were chosen by their peers in Urology for their humanistic qualities. The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) recognizes students, residents and faculty who are exemplars of compassionate patient care and who serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine. Membership in GHHS goes beyond selection and induction into an honor society. Its members have a responsibility to model, support, and advocate for compassionate, patient-centered care throughout their careers.
We are excited and proud of the positive impression they have already made on both colleagues and patients. Congratulations, and continue to let your humanism shine!
Congratulations Dr. Paul Dominguez-Gutierrez, Ms. Elizabeth Kwenda, Dr. Saeed Khan, and Dr. Benjamin Canales on their publication in the March 2020 issue of Current Opinion in Urology.
The article, entitled “Immunotherapy for Stone Disease,” highlights emerging data about how calcium oxalate elicits an immune response and how future therapies may be directed at this response to target kidney stone prevention. The article can be accessed by visiting https://bit.ly/2LZ6AVV.
Please join us in congratulating their research group!
The 7th Annual UF Urology Faculty/Resident Golf Tournament was held at Ironwood Golf Course on May 25th, followed by pizza and beer at the home of the Stringers. Although the venue and time were changed from previous years, the annual accompanying deluge of rain remained the same. Hanging unto the golf club became as challenging as trying not to lose the mother ball.
Three foursomes competed ferociously. In the end the team of Jeremy Archer, Kevin Campbell, Paul Crispen, and Padraic O’Malley prevailed by a single stroke when the lost mother ball penalty stroke was imposed on the team of Larry Yeung, Tom Stringer, Mark Abboud and Mike Maidaa. The winning team each received a Ballzee green side ball cleaner. Prizes were also awarded to Jeremy Archer for both the longest drive and the closest to the pin as well as Kevin Campbell for the longest putt.
The names of the winning team members will be emblazoned on a permanent plaque hanging in the department and to the rest of us, better luck next year. Preserve the mother ball.
Men, you’ve been taught how to handle a flat tire, a leaky faucet or maybe even how to patch a hole in the wall, but do you know what it takes to stay healthy? Here are a few numbers to keep your health in check.
Men’s Health Facts
Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is made in the testicles. Testosterone hormone levels are important to normal male sexual development and functions. Men need testosterone to make sperm.
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the United States.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is when it is hard to get or keep an erection that’s firm enough for sex. ED affects as many as 30 million men.
With timely diagnosis, testicular cancer is most likely treatable and most often curable. It is the most common cancer in men 15 to 34 years old.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate. This condition is found in about half of all men between ages 51 and 60.
UF Health Screen, Test & Protect uses scientific data to plan a gradual return to campus for faculty, staff and students. Together, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health, we can slow the spread of COVID-19, so we all return to the University of Florida as safely as possible. Visit our site to learn more: https://coronavirus.ufhealth.org/screen-test-protect
The University of Florida Department of Urology invites you to attend Grand Rounds:
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 7:00 – 8:00 AM Zoom Meeting ID 920 5213 3171
“Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma”
Presenter: Hiroko
Miyagi, MD
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
Review risk categorization for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Define the standard of care for advanced, unresectable renal cell carcinoma
Understand the background of systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Understand the impact of systemic therapy on survival of metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Understand the challenges of systemic therapy
Target Audience: Urologists, Residents, Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Staff
Accreditation: The University of Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit: The University of Florida College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Support: The Department of Urology within the University of Florida’s College of Medicine is hosting this free event which is internally supported.
Contact Information: If you have any questions please feel free to contact Stephanie Stenner at Stephanie.stenner@urology.ufl.edu.
Disclosure: Dr. Miyagi has disclosed that she has no relevant financial relationships. Dr. Vincent Bird, Planning Committee, is a consultant for Boston Scientific. No one else in a position to control content has any financial relationship to disclose.
