Our People

Our People

  • Cyrus Adams, MD, MS

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: University of Tennessee, Memphis
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Fellowship: Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Reconstructive Surgery, Neurogenic bladder, Antenatal Hydronephrosis, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery

    Dr. Adams is a Pediatric Urologist with clinical interests in the management of antenatal and postnatal hydronephrosis and neuropathic bladder, reconstructive genitourinary surgery, and minimally invasive robotic surgery.  His research interests include the long-term clinical outcomes of genitourinary reconstruction, as well as in the management and care of patients with spina bifida.

  • Mark C. Adams, MD

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
    Residency: University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN
    Fellowship: The Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
    Clinical Interests: Reconstructive Surgery, Spina Bifida, Bladder Exstrophy, Antenatal Hydronephrosis

  • Carolyn Amonette, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of General Urology

    Undergrad: Grand View College
    Nursing School: Middle Tennessee State University
    Clinical Interests: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Elevated PSA, Female urology, Erectile dysfunction, and Men’s health/male urology

  • Daniel A. Barocas, MD, MPH, FACS

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Executive Vice Chair
    Department of Urology
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
    Residency: New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Clinical Interests: Genitourinary Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Laparoscopy and Robotics

    Dr. Barocas is an accomplished researcher, focusing on quality of life, quality of care, healthcare disparities and comparative effectiveness. He is the principal investigator of a multi-center study on the effectiveness and side effects of different treatments for prostate cancer.

  • Taylor M. Brewer, PA-C

    Physician Assistant
    Department of Urology
    Division of Endourology and Stone Disease

    Undergrad: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
    PA School: Trevecca Nazarene University
    Clinical Interests: Kidney Stones, Kidney Cancer, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Elevated PSA, Endourology 

  • John W. Brock III, MD

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Professor and Surgeon-in Chief, Emeritus
    Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
    Senior Vice President
    Pediatric Surgical Services
    Chair
    Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical Degree: Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Reconstructive Surgery, Antenatal Hydronephrosis, Bladder Exstrophy

  • Rochell L. Burton, APRN, ANCP-BC

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Reconstructive Urology and Pelvic Health

    Nursing School: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
    Clinical Interests: Urinary incontinence, Urodynamics, neurogenic bladder, Pelvic Prolapse, Female urology

  • Sam S. Chang, MD, MBA

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Urologic Surgery
    Chief Surgical Officer
    Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center
    Chief
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Fellowship: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
    Clinical Interests: Prostate cancer, Prostatectomy, Bladder cancer, Kidney cancer, Urologic cancer

    Dr. Chang, the Chief Surgical Officer at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center and the Urologic Oncology Division Chief, formerly chaired the American Joint Committee on GU Cancer Staging and the AUA/ASCO Guidelines on Bladder Cancer and was a member of the AUA Guidelines on Renal Cancer and the SUO Guidelines on Advanced Prostate Cancer.  He is the past Chair of the American Board of Urology Examination Committee responsible for U.S. board certification and has been selected to serve as a Trustee of the American Board of Urology.   His research in urologic oncology and clinical efforts have been recognized with national awards include the Distinguished Service Award of the SUO and the Gold Cystoscope Award and Hugh Hampton Young Award from the AUA.

  • Douglass Clayton, MD

    Associate Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Memphis, TN
    Residency: University of Alabama - Birmingham, School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Pediatric Urology Fellowship, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Neurogenic Bladder, Pediatric Urology, Urinary Incontinence, Urodynamics, Laparoscopy and Robotics

    Dr. Clayton is the Medical Director of the Multidisciplinary Spina Bifida clinic at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Thus, he is dedicated to the urologic care of children with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder. He practices in all areas of pediatric urology, but he has additional expertise in robotic surgery and complex urinary tract reconstruction. Dr. Clayton is also an accomplished researcher with a history of grant funding in basic science research studying bladder dysfunction.

  • Lauren Corona, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
    Residency: University of Michigan
    Fellowship: Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Laparoscopy and Robotics, Kidney Stones, Antenatal Hydronephrosis, Hypospadias

    Dr. Corona is a fellowship trained pediatric urologist with interests in congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and ureters, antenatal and postnatal hydronephrosis, UPJ obstruction, vesicoureteral reflux, megaureter, hypospadias and other penile anomalies, undescended testes, hernia and hydrocele, minimally invasive surgery, and differences of sex development. Dr. Corona's research interests include health services and outcomes research. Outside of work, Dr. Corona enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.

  • Roger R. Dmochowski, MD, MMHC, FACS

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Professor
    Surgery and Gynecology
    Associate Surgeon in Chief Vice Chair
    Section of Surgical Sciences
    Executive Medical Director
    Perioperative Services
    Associate Chief of Staff
    Surgery
    Division of Reconstructive Urology and Pelvic Health

    Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch,  Galveston, TX
    Residency: University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX
    Fellowship: Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA
    Clinical Interests: Female Pelvic Medicine, Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery, Neurogenic Bladder, Pelvic Floor Reconstrucive Surgery, Urinary Incontinence

    Dr Dmochowski is Associate Surgeon in Chief for Vanderbilt University Medical Center and has other leadership positions in the health system. He has a practice focus in female urology, urologic reconstruction and outcomes. He is an immediate past Trustee of the American Board of Urology and is immediate past Vice Chair of the urology Residency Review Committee through ACGME.

    He is masters trained in conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation.

  • Sophie Dohnalek

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Undergrad: Texas Christian University
    NP School: Vanderbilt University
    Clinical Interests: BPH, Prostate Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Testis Cancer

  • Meredith E. Donahue, APRN-BC

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Fellowship Director
    Urologic Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Undergrad: Furman University
    Nursing School: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Urology NP Fellowship
    Clinical Interests: Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Genitourinary Cancer, Testis Cancer

  • Sarah C. Flury, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology

    Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
    Residency: University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
    Clinical Interests: Benign Prostatic Hyperlasia, Elevated PSA, Erectile Dysfunction, Kidney Stones, Male Urology/Men's Health

  • Sara Francescon, MSN, RN, FNP-C

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Reconstructive Urology and Pelvic Health

    Undergrad: Cumberland University
    Nursing School: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
    Clinical Interests: Female Pelvic Medicine, Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery, Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Urinary Incontinence, Urodynamics

  • S. Duke Herrell, MD, FACS

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Director
    Minimally-Invasive Urologic Surgery/Robotics Program
    Chief
    Division of Endourology and Stone Disease

    Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
    Residency: University of Virginia Medical Center
    Fellowship: Loyola University Medical Center, Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery

    Dr. Herrell helped found the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering which combines surgeons and engineers to create new medical devices and technologies to help patients. Dr. Herrell is one of the only clinically active surgeons in the country with two active National Institute of Health (NIH) RO1 grants. Both are aimed at creating advanced new robotic surgery technologies for urologic cancers and diseases. 

  • Ryan S. Hsi, MD, FACS

    Associate Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Endourology and Stone Disease

    Medical School: Loma Linda University, School of Medicine
    Residency: University of Washington, School of Medicine
    Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco
    Clinical Interests: Endourology, Kidney Stones

    Dr. Hsi is an expert in the medical and surgical management of kidney stone disease and co-leads the complex kidney stone clinic.  He leads an active research team and is actively recruiting for several clinical trials.
     

  • Niels V. Johnsen, MD, MPH, FACS

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Fellowship Director
    Genitourinary Reconstruction and Trauma Fellowship
    Division of Reconstructive Urology and Pelvic Health

    Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine - New Orleans, LA
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Fellowship: University of Washington, Male Genitourinary Reconstruction and Trauma
    Clinical Interests: Reconstructive Surgery, Erectile Dysfunction, Peyronie’s Disease, Urethral Stricture, Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence, Urinary Fistula, Urologic Trauma

    Dr. Johnsen is an active member of both the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, and serves as co-chair of the ACS Urologic Trauma Guidelines. His research and clinical practice focus primarily on the treatment of sexual and urinary health issues following trauma, surgery, radiation, or any other type of injury. 

  • Daniel D. Joyce, MD, MS

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: Mayo Medical School
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Fellowship: Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
    Clinical Interests: Kidney Cancer, Testis Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Prostate cancer, Genitourinary cancer

    Dr. Joyce completed a Society of Urologic Oncology fellowship and master’s degree with a concentration in healthcare delivery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where he also attended medical school. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, graduating with honors, from New York University and completed his urology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. He is a member of the AOA honor medical society, currently serves as an editor for The Journal of Urology, and formerly served as the Southeastern Section representative for the American Urological Association residents and fellows committee. Dr. Joyce’s clinical practice includes a broad range of both robotic and open approaches to surgical management of genitourinary malignancies. His research interests include improving value in healthcare and mitigating financial toxicity of cancer treatments through use of cost modeling and patient-reported outcome measures, as well as harnessing new technologies to improve physician-patient interactions.

  • Melissa R. Kaufman, MD, PhD, FACS

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Urologic Surgery
    Chief
    Division of Reconstructive Urology and Pelvic Health

    Medical School: University of Arkansas College of Medicine
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship
    Clinical Interests: Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery, Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Urinary Incontinence, Urethral Strictures, Urodynamics

    Dr. Kaufman currently serves as the global principal investigator for a pivotal Phase III clinical trial to pioneer the first application of cell therapy for Urologic indications.  She was honored as the 2017 recipient of the Zimskind award from the Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction for outstanding contributions within 10 years of completion of training.

  • Nicholas Kavoussi, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Endourology and Stone Disease

    Medical School: SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn NY
    Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: BPH, Endourology, Laparoscopic and Robotics, Kidney Stones, Kidney Cancer

    Dr. Kavoussi is a minimally invasive surgeon specializing in the application of novel technologies in the treatment of urologic diseases. He is a member of the Vanderbilt Institute of Surgery and Engineering and is actively involved in multiple research projects furthering the integration of technology and surgery.

  • Hannah Ritter Lee, AGPCNP

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Endourology and Stone Disease

    Undergrad: Biology at Tennessee Tech University
    Nursing School: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Urology NP Fellowship
    Clinical Interests: Endourology, Kidney Stones, Urologic Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia 

  • Amy N. Luckenbaugh, MD, FACS

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical Degree: State University of New York at Buffalo
    Residency: University of Michigan
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Clinical Interests: Bladder Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Testis Cancer, Urologic Cancer

    Dr. Luckenbaugh is a high-volume surgeon whose clinical focus centers around the comprehensive care of patients with urologic malignancies. She currently serves as the chair of Women in Urologic Oncology, and the secretary for the Society of Women in Urology, and through her research aims to mitigate variation in healthcare delivery.

  • Jacob A. McCoy, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of General Urology

    Medical School: University of Texas Medical School at Houston
    Residency: Ochsner Clinic Foundation / LSU New Orleans
    Clinical Interests: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Elevated PSA, Male urology/Men’s health, Kidney Stones, Vasectomy

    Dr. McCoy is a general urologist whose main clinical practice is at the VA hospitals in Nashville and Murfreesboro. He is passionate about resident and medical student education and enjoys lecturing at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and working closely with urology residents in clinic and the operating room.

  • Nicole L. Miller, MD, FACS

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Fellowship Director
    Endourology and Laparoscopic Surgery Fellowship
    Division of Endourology and Stone Disease

    Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
    Residency: Univeristy of Virginia Health Sciences Center
    Fellowship: Indiana University School of Medicine
    Clinical Interests: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Endourology, Kidney Stones, Percutaneous Kidney Stone Surgery

    Dr. Miller is an internationally recognized clinician specializing in the treatment of kidney stone disease and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) with particular expertise in Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).  Her research focuses on the investigation of pathophysiologic pathways in BPH and new laser technologies for kidney stone and BPH treatment.  She is also a founding member of the Endourology Disease Group for Excellence (EDGE) Research Consortium which conducts multi-center trials to advance clinical excellence in the treatment of kidney stone disease.  

  • Kelvin Moses, MD, PhD

    Associate Professor
    Department of Urology
    Joseph A. Smith Directorship in Urologic Oncology
    Fellowship Director
    Urologic Oncology Fellowship
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
    Residency: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
    Fellowship: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
    Clinical Interests: Advanced Prostate Cancer, Advanced Kidney Cancer, Testis Cancer, Penile Cancer, Adrenal Cancer

    Dr. Moses is the Director of the Comprehensive Prostate Cancer clinic and Director of the Urologic Oncology Fellowship. He is the Chair of the NCCN Guidelines Panel on Early Detection of Prostate Cancer. His surgical practice focuses on advanced kidney cancer, including complex IVC thrombectomy and cytoreductive nephrectomy, and advanced testis cancer via retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.  He has research interests in health literacy and cancer outcomes, advanced prostate cancer clinical trials, optimal surgical resection for advanced Urologic cancers, and health disparities in Urologic cancers.

  • Wendy Nichols, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Undergrad: Roberts Wesleyan College
    Nursing School: University of Rochester
    Doctorate NP: Grand Canyon University
    Clinical Interests: Benign Prostatic Hyperlasia, Elevated PSA, Female Urology, Male Urology/Men's Health, Urologic Cancer

  • Maggie O'Block, WHNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Undergrad: Santa Clara University
    Nursing School: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
    Clinical Interests: Genitourinary Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Testis Cancer, Kidney Cancer

  • David F. Penson, MD, MPH, MMHC

    Professor and Chair
    Department of Urology
    Hamilton and Howd Chair in Urologic Oncology
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
    Residency: University of California, Los Angeles
    Fellowship: Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, Yale University
    Clinical Interests: Prostate cancer, Bladder cancer, Prostatectomy, Elevated PSA

    Dr Penson serves as Chair of the Department and oversees all Departmental activities. He is also a well-known health services researcher, a urologic oncologist who focuses primarily on clinical prostate cancer care and, most importantly, the father of three great kids (all of whom are die-hard Boston Red Sox fans, like their dad).

  • John C. Pope IV, MD

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Chief
    Division of Pediatric Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical Degree: University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis TN
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
    Fellowship: James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Reconstructive Surgery, Spina Bifida, Pediatric Stone Disease, Laparoscopic Surgery

  • Julie Randolph, CPNP

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Undergrad: Tennessee Technological University
    Nursing School: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology

  • Jennifer A. Robles, MD, MPH

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Surgical Quality Officer and Chief of Urology
    Tennessee Valley (VA) Healthcare System
    Division of Endourology and Stone Disease

    Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
    Residency: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

    Dr. Jennifer Robles, MD MPH is an Assistant Professor of Urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee and is the Surgical Quality Officer and Chief of Urology of the Tennessee Valley (VA) Healthcare System. Her training includes a Urologic Surgery residency at Washington University in Saint Louis, clinical fellowship in Endourology and Laparoscopic/Robotic Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and research fellowship in Quality Improvement via the Veterans Affairs Quality Scholar program. Dr. Robles served as the American Urological Association (AUA) Science and Quality Fellow from 2018-2020 and is a current member of the AUA Quality Improvement and Patient Safety committee. Her professional goal is to achieve meaningful systems-based improvements in the quality of surgical patient care. Her primary clinical interests include minimally invasive surgical management of kidney masses, kidney stones, hydronephrosis, ureteral abnormalities and obstruction.

  • Kristen R. Scarpato, MD, MPH

    Associate Professor
    Department of Urology
    Residency Program Director
    Department of Urology
    Vice Chair of Education
    Department of Urology
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical Degree: Tufts University School of Medicine
    Residency: University of Connecticut Health Center
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Clinical Interests: Bladder Cancer, Genitourinary Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Prostatectomy, Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy/Artemis
     

    Dr. Scarpato, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Urology Residency Program and Vice Chair of Education. She has interests in resident and medical student education, surgical simulation, and mentorship. She remains committed to advancing the field of urology through education and maintains a strong interest in both patient and resident education. She enjoys collaborating on educational endeavors with numerous local and national organizations. Dr. Scarpato’s clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of bladder and prostate cancer. She has a particular interest in focal therapy and salvage prostate ablation, as well as advanced prostate cancer.

  • KayAnn Scribner, MSN, FNP-BC

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of General Urology

    Undergrad: Cumberland University
    Nursing School: Tennessee Technological University

  • Elisabeth Sebesta, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Reconstructive Urology and Pelvic Health

    Medical School: Columbia University
    Residency: Columbia University, Urology
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center 
    Clinical Interests: Genitourinary and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Neurogenic Bladder, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Urinary Incontinence, Urinary Tract Fistula, Bladder Dysfunction, Urodynamics

     

    Dr. Sebesta is double boarded in both Urology and Urogynecology, and specializes in bladder dysfunction, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, genitourinary reconstruction, and female pelvic health. Her research interests include how social determinants of health and unmet social needs impact bladder health, and the psychosocial impacts of urinary conditions.

  • Joseph A. Smith, Jr, MD

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    William L. Bray Professor
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: University of Tennessee School of Medicine
    Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School/University of Utah
    Fellowship: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
    Clinical Interests: Bladder cancer, Prostate cancer, Prostatectomy, Urologic Cancer, Genitourinary Cancer

    Dr Smith's career has been focused on innovative surgical treatment for urologic cancer.  He has transitioned from his surgical practice at Vanderbilt and now is Director of Global Surgery for the Department.  He oversees and participates in humanitarian surgical efforts throughout the world and coordinates the participation of residents, fellows, and other faculty at Vanderbilt.

  • Cary (CJ) Stimson, MD, JD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Senior Vice President of Value Transformation
    Office of Population Health
    Chief Medical Officer
    VUMC and Vanderbilt University Employee Health Plan
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
    Fellowship: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD

  • Ruchika Talwar, MD, MMHC

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Medical Director
    Episodes of Care, Population Health
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
    Residency: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Dr. Ruchika Talwar is a urologic oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Medical Director in the Episodes of Care Office, where she leads and operationalizes VUMC’s specialty value-based care programs, including Medicare models and the innovative MyHealth Bundles program. She is a residency graduate from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, where she was affiliated with the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the Wharton School. She completed a Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) fellowship and Masters of Management in Healthcare at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Talwar has served in several national leadership roles within organized medicine, including Chair of the American Urological Association's residents and fellows committee, the Health Policy, Young Urologic Oncologists, and Women in Urologic Oncology Committees of the SUO, and is currently the Fundraising Chair for the AUAPAC. She held the H. Logan Holtgrewe Legislative Fellowship in 2022, when she spent time working on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09). Dr. Talwar’s clinical practice includes both robotic and open approaches to urologic cancer surgery, with a focus on patient-centered care. Her academic work in health policy, value transformation, drug pricing, and costs of care has been published in several JAMA journals and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. She makes several trips a year to Washington, DC, meeting with Congressional representatives as a passionate advocate for improving the quality of care provided to patients in the US. 

  • Abby Taylor, MD, MPH

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Fellowship Director
    Pediatric Urology Fellowship
    Assistant Residency Program Director
    Department of Urology
    Director of Medical Student Education
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: Northeastern Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio
    Residency: Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Jacksonville, FL
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Pediatric Urology Fellowship, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Genitourinary Reconstruction

    Dr. Taylor is program director for the pediatric urology fellowship program, assistant program director of the urology residency program, and director of medical student education in urology.

  • Amber Thomas, MSN, PNP-BC

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Undergrad: Murray State University
    Nursing School: University at Alabama at Birmingham
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology

  • John Thomas, MD

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Chief of Staff
    Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    M.D. Degree: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
    Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Pediatric Urology Fellowship, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Reconstructive Urology, Spina Bifida, Pediatric Stone Disease, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery

    Dr. Thomas is the Chief of Staff at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and serves in leadership roles in numerous state-wide and national organizations focused on pediatric urology.

  • Jeffrey Tosoian, MD, MPH

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Director of Translational Cancer Research
    Division of Urologic Oncology

    Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
    Residency: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
    Fellowship: University of Michigan, Urologic Oncology and Translational Cancer Research
    Clinical Interests: Elevated PSA, Prostate Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Testis Cancer

    Dr. Tosoian specializes in the early diagnosis and management of urologic cancers. In addition to his role as a clinician and surgeon, he is a recognized leader in clinical and translational prostate cancer research. His early research demonstrated the safety of monitoring lower-risk prostate cancers on active surveillance, allowing appropriately selected patients to delay or avoid treatment altogether. His ongoing research has led to the development of new, non-invasive tools to guide cancer diagnosis and management. Dr. Tosoian leads the Prostate Cancer Risk Clinic, a clinical program for informed early screening in patients with a strong family history or known genetic mutation associated with prostate cancer. 

  • Janet Usher, AGPCNP

    Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Urology
    Division of Reconstructive Urology and Pelvic Health

    Undergrad: Spalding University, Louisville, KY
    Nursing School: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center Oncology NP Fellowship
    Clinical Interests: Erectile Dysfunction, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Male Urology/Men's Health, Peyronie's

Secondary Appointments

Jennifer Gordetsky, MD

Jennifer Gordetsky, MD

Jonathan Schmitz, MD, PhD

Jonathan Schmitz, MD PhD

Maria Hadjifrangiskou, Ph.D.

Maria Hadjifrangiskou, Ph.D.

Nancy Davis, MD

Nancy Davis, MD

Paula Hurley, PhD

Paula Hurley, PhD

Robert Webster, PhD

Robert Webster, PhD

Steven Meranze, MD

Steven Meranze, MD

Alumni

Alumni