Clinical Programs - NYU Langone Medical Center

Experience
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Innovation
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Compassion
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Excellence
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Results
Welcome to NYU Urology Associates
NYU Urology Associates is comprised of 14 fellowshiptrained sub-specialists who have established nine worldclass clinical urology programs. Our team of highly experienced and accomplished urologists is committed to
innovation, excellence, and the highest standard of care.
All of our programs offer state-of-the art technology and
cutting-edge therapies, delivered in a professional, caring,
and sensitive manner. Our physicians also recognize the importance of individualized treatments, tailored to meet the
specific goals of our patients. At NYU Urology Associates,
one size never fits all.
Our team approach has yielded outstanding results in national rankings and, more importantly, patient satisfaction. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked NYU Urology among the top 20 urology programs in the country. We are also very proud of a
recent independent survey completed by over 500 of our patients, in which 99 percent
said they would recommend NYU Urology Associates to a friend.
While this brochure highlights our world-class clinical programs, NYU Urology is also
at the forefront of basic laboratory research, which will yield tomorrow’s advanced and
improved treatments. Today, over 20 of NYU Langone Medical Center’s most innovative
and productive scientists are engaged in laboratory projects that relate directly to our
nine clinical programs. Our urology research program was recently named one of only
six Centers of Excellence at NYU Langone Medical Center, a designation that brings with
it tremendous institutional recognition and support.
clinical programs:
Urologic Oncology.......................................................2
Pediatric Urology & Reconstructive Surgery......................5
Voiding Dysfunction, Incontinence & Neurourology............6
Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery..............7
Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery..............................8
Male Sexual Health & Fertility.........................................10
Benign Prostate Disease................................................11
Kidney Stone Disease...................................................12
Integrative Urology......................................................13
I am exceedingly proud of the accomplishments of our dedicated doctors and scientists who work at both the bench and bedside. Our entire clinical operation — doctors,
nurses, medical technologists, receptionists, administrators, telephone operators, and
practice managers — are here for one purpose: to serve our patients. Your success is our
success. Your satisfaction is our satisfaction.
Thank you for entrusting your care to NYU Urology Associates.
Herbert Lepor
Director of NYU Urology Associates
Urologist-In-Chief, NYULMC
Professor and Martin Spatz Chairman
Department of Urology, NYU School of Medicine
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Urologic Oncology
William Huang, M.D.
Herbert Lepor, M.D.
Chairman - Department of Urology
Danil Makarov, M.D., M.H.S.
Stephen Scionti, M.D.
Michael Stifelman, M.D.
Samir S. Taneja, M.D.
Director
The goal of the Urologic Oncology program is to cure urologic cancers while preserving
the highest quality of life. Our world-renowned physicians are true innovators who have
dedicated their careers to advancing new treatments for urologic cancers. To help further this goal, the Smilow Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Center was recently established to provide comprehensive and personalized state-of-the-art prostate cancer care.
Our level of experience and expertise in the field of urologic oncology is unmatched.
No single prostate cancer treatment is right for all men with localized or “early” prostate
cancer. At the Smilow Center, we encourage men to consider the benefits and risks of all
therapeutic approaches, including radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, active surveillance, and minimally-invasive ablative therapies.
Prostate surgery is a proven method for curing localized prostate cancer. It is performed either through an ‘open’ or a robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach. Smilow Center surgeons
pioneered and have gone on to refine the surgical technique for the nerve sparing radical
prostatectomy, which preserves sexual function. Our surgical outcomes are among the best
in the world. The robotics team at NYU is highly skilled at performing minimally-invasive robotic prostatectomy using the latest evolution in robotics — the daVinci Si® Surgical System.
Overall, Smilow Center surgeons have performed over 5,000 radical prostatectomies.
For localized prostate cancer, radiation therapy, cryotherapy (freezing the prostate), and
HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) are also performed as primary treatments.
Smilow Center surgeons have done over 1,000 cryotherapy and HIFU prostate procedures, among the most of any medical center in the United States.
The Smilow Center is also one of the most advanced centers in the country in terms of investigating minimally-invasive ablative therapies that aim to safely and effectively
destroy prostate cancer without damaging adjacent structures in the body. HIFU, PDT (photodynamic therapy) and
laser energy are all promising investigational therapies being evaluated at the Smilow Center. In order to optimize patient selection for focal or targeted therapy, we’re actively
exploring new advances in prostate imaging and roboticassisted prostate biopsy.
At NYU Langone Medical Center, our urologic surgeons treat all types of genitourinary
malignancies. In addition, we have assembled a multi-disciplinary team of medical and
radiation oncologists as well as integrative doctors to work alongside our expert surgeons. Together our team provides the most comprehensive, caring and advanced cancer care — all under one roof.
Prostate Cancer
Our innovation and experience has revolutionized the treatment of prostate cancer —
the most common cancer affecting men
At the Smilow Comprehensive Prostate
Cancer Center, you’ll find a unique team of
highly skilled and experienced leaders in all
aspects of prostate cancer treatment. Men
who have risk factors for prostate cancer
or have recently been diagnosed with the
disease face a bewildering range of options.
Providing a full spectrum of the most effective treatments with the intent of balancing
the need for a cure and the preservation of
quality of life is one of our highest goals at
the Smilow Center.
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Kidney Cancer
Improving on kidney cancer diagnosis and treatments that preserve kidney tissue is
one of our highest priorities
Great strides have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer in the
past decade, and NYU Urology Associates has been at the forefront of these advances.
Kidney cancer is one of the most lethal of cancers, and its incidence has been steadily
rising. However, our team of world-renowned urologists has made major contributions
that have significantly advanced doctors’ ability to cure this deadly disease.
Our physicians treat all types of kidney cancers. The surgeons at NYU Urology Associates have performed over 1,000 procedures for kidney cancer, and our published outcomes are among the best in the country. NYU doctors were instrumental in developing the organ-sparing partial nephrectomy — a surgical technique, performed with or
without robotic assistance, that involves removing malignant cells while preserving the
majority of normal kidney tissue.
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In the case of tumors that cannot be removed by a partial nephrectomy, NYU Urology surgeons utilize minimally-invasive
approaches whenever possible to speed recovery and minimize
complications. For more complex tumors, our surgeons team up
with vascular, cardiac, and transplant surgeons in order to allow
safe, precise and complete removal of the tumor. Their efforts are
guided by the NYU Department of Radiology — recognized as
one of the premier radiology departments in the world — which
uses dynamic, three-dimensional MRI and CT scans to evaluate
renal masses and ensure selection of the best surgical approach.
Working in collaboration with the NYU Cancer Institute, our team also provides a combination of surgical approaches and novel drug treatments for advanced kidney disease.
Bladder Cancer
A complex disease with many treatment options
At NYU Urology Associates, our uro-oncologists are highly experienced in the treatment of both early- and late-stage bladder cancer. The sixth-most common cancer in
America, bladder cancer begins most frequently in the cells lining the inside of the bladder. For patients with early-stage bladder cancer, our goal is to halt the progression of
the disease. Our surgeons have been at the forefront in testing new approaches to earlystage bladder cancer therapy. For late-stage bladder disease, our multi-disciplinary team
approach offers the best prospects for successful treatment through a combination of
surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
Radical surgery is often required to cure more advanced stages of bladder cancer. The
surgeons at NYU Urology Associates are highly skilled at open and robotic approaches
to removing the bladder, and are also world-class at using innovative surgical reconstructive techniques to create a “neo” or new bladder so that both men and women
retain the ability to urinate normally after surgery.
Our research scientists — who are members of both
NYU Langone’s Urologic Diseases Center of Excellence and the NYU Cancer Institute — are committed to discovering new treatments for bladder cancer. They are currently studying new therapies to
prevent bladder cancer recurrence and progression,
and are also investigating new multi-modality treatment regimens for advanced bladder cancer with
the goal of increasing cure rates. These translational
studies, which take discoveries from the laboratory
to the bedside, will ensure that our bladder cancer
program remains at the cutting edge.
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Pediatric Urology & Reconstructive Surgery
Ellen Shapiro, M.D.
Director
Urologic diseases of childhood differ from those of adults in many respects, and often
require specialized diagnostic studies and surgical management. Under the direction
of Dr. Shapiro — who brings 25 years of experience in the medical and surgical treatment of pediatric urological disorders such as undescended testes, hernias, varicoceles,
hypospadias, vesicoureteral reflux, prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis, neurogenic
bladder, and vaginal abnormalities — the pediatric urology program at NYU Langone
Medical Center has developed into a national leader in addressing the special urologic
needs of infants, children and adolescents.
In treating congenital conditions diagnosed before
birth, Dr. Shapiro works closely with specialists in
maternal fetal medicine and provides prenatal counseling to expectant parents. Her program also draws
on the world-class expertise of NYU Langone’s pediatric radiologists, pediatric anesthesiologists, and
other pediatric specialists. State-of-the-art sonographic evaluations are available in-office to expedite the care and treatment of young patients, as are
highly specialized video urodynamic studies, which
Dr. Shapiro uses to guide the medical management
of complex bladder conditions, including any necessary surgical reconstruction.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Shapiro is a collaborator with many of the major
urological research laboratories across the United States. Her research has focused on
the embryology of the human lower urinary tract, using detailed histological and threedimensional reconstructive techniques, and her findings have furthered our understanding of many common and complex pediatric urological anomalies.
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Voiding Dysfunction,
Incontinence & Neurourology
Female Pelvic Medicine &
Reconstructive Surgery
Christopher E. Kelly, M.D.
Christopher E. Kelly, M.D.
Victor W. Nitti, M.D
Victor W. Nitti, M.D.
Nirit Rosenblum, M.D.
Nirit Rosenblum, M.D.
Bladder dysfunction, which affects
millions of men and women, can have
a major impact on quality of life. The
physicians at NYU Urology Associates are highly skilled at treating all
types of bladder dysfunction and incontinence. We specialize in providing
individualized care, and understand
the sensitivity and time required to
successfully treat these conditions.
Our outpatient facilities are also fully
equipped for the convenience of individuals who require assistance.
Today, there are a number of highly effective and minimally invasive treatments for
women who suffer urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. At NYU Urology Associates, our internationally recognized Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive program offers a unique approach to treating women with these conditions, emphasizing
both quality of life and quality of care.
Director
Whether incontinence is caused by an overactive bladder or a poorly functioning urethra,
our doctors offer a full spectrum of management options including behavioral therapy
programs, medications, botulinum toxin injections, and urethral bulking agents, as well
as surgical treatments for incontinence. For patients with neurological conditions such
as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury, our caring and uniquely qualified physicians
offer effective conservative therapies, medications, botulinum toxin injections, implantable nerve stimulators, and urinary tract reconstruction.
We also offer an extensive program for male incontinence. Our physicians have particular expertise in the treatment of PPI (post-prostatectomy incontinence). This potentially
devastating condition can be treated with a variety of methods, including male slings
and artificial urinary sphincters. As always, our goal is to find the most effective course
of treatment for each patient.
Director
Our physicians specialize in providing individualized care, recognizing
that no single treatment fits all women. We understand that women
with urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse may also suffer
from a multitude of urologic conditions that mandate a caring and
sensitive approach, such as voiding dysfunction, overactive bladder,
recurrent urinary tract infections, and female sexual dysfunction. The
Female Pelvic Medicine program offers a full spectrum of diagnostic
tests and treatment options, many of which can be conveniently performed in the doctor’s office. Treatments include behavioral therapy,
medications, and minimally-invasive procedures such as the injection
of urethral bulking agents — all available on an outpatient basis. In addition, NYU Urology Associates is fully equipped with outpatient stateof-the-art video urodynamics equipment that provide a highly accurate assessment of urinary flow and other aspects of bladder function.
Our uniquely qualified team also specializes in complex reconstructive surgical procedures, and is expert in the latest minimally-invasive techniques — including the daVinci
Si® Surgical System — for the treatment of prolapse in women. NYU Urology Associates
are also involved in ongoing clinical research into investigational treatments for incontinence, prolapse, and voiding dysfunction, furthering our mission to provide the most
effective and up-to-date therapies for urological disorders in women.
At NYU Urology Associates, we are also committed to incorporating the latest developments in medical research to improve the quality of life for women and men who suffer from incontinence. Our physicians are world-renowned for pioneering new surgical
techniques and treatments to cure this obtrusive condition, and they will continue to be
at the forefront in developing innovative therapies for bladder dysfunction.
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Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery
Our robotics program is committed to implementing future advances in robotic surgery in order to extend the
use of this minimally-invasive technology for treating
complex urologic diseases. Our goal is to push the limits
of robotic surgery, define its legitimate role in the treatment of urologic diseases, and disseminate this knowledge to others.
William Huang, M.D.
Danil Makarov, M.D., M.H.S.
Nirit Rosenblum, M.D.
Stephen Scionti, M.D.
Director, Minimally Invasive Ablative Therapy
Ojas Shah, M.D.
Director, Endourologic Surgery
Michael D. Stifelman, M.D.
Director, Robotic Surgery
Samir S. Taneja, M.D.
The NYU Urology program for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urologic Surgery is committed to evaluating and refining minimally-invasive surgical technologies for the treatment of complex urologic diseases, with the overarching goal of curing the disease while
minimizing bodily trauma.
Robotic Urologic Surgery
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Endoscopic Surgery
The goal of the NYU Endourology program is to perform surgery with minimally invasive
techniques that require either no surgical incisions or incisions that are no more than 1 cm
in size. Using this approach, our surgeons can successfully treat kidney stones, UPJ (ureteropelvic junction) obstruction, ureteral obstructive disease, and upper tract urothelial
carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma), all with minimal trauma.
Endourologic surgery utilizes a very small endoscope, which allows the surgeon to inspect all aspects of the urinary tract. Specialized tools, including Holmium lasers, can
then be inserted through these endoscopes to break up and remove kidney and ureteral stones, relieve blockages, and destroy cancers of the upper and lower urinary tract.
To perform these very specialized procedures, NYU urologists employ state-of-the-art
equipment and technology. Our urologists have extensive experience with and mastery
of the most advanced endourologic techniques.
Virtually every urologic surgical procedure that is
done using traditional open surgery can now also be
performed using robotic-assisted techniques. The
mission of NYU’s Robotic Urologic Surgery program
is to simplify complex procedures. Our program has
become one of the busiest and most diverse robotic
surgical practices in the country. Our surgeons subspecialize in uro-oncology, urinary reconstruction,
urinary incontinence, and pediatric urology. Because the instruments used in robotic surgery are
only one-quarter of an inch wide, our patients may
benefit from less pain, minimal scarring and a faster
return to normal activity.
The program also specializes in performing state-of-the-art treatments for BPH (enlarged
prostate), using a multitude of laser technologies that maximize efficacy and minimize morbidity. Our endoscopic techniques allow us to perform most of these surgeries via the patient’s natural orifices (without an incision), typically in an outpatient setting — an approach
that allows for quicker healing, decreased pain and quicker return to normal activities.
The robotic team at NYU Urology Associates performs hundreds of robotic-assisted
surgeries each year, including radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, ureteral reconstruction, radical cystectomy, hysterectomy and uterine prolapse procedures. Our
surgeons have pioneered numerous robotic procedures and our published results are
among the best in the world. To provide the highest standard of care, we have also created a specialized robotic operating room and assembled a team of nurses and anesthesiologists specifically trained in robotic procedures.
Ablative therapy techniques use an array of energy sources to destroy cancerous tissue.
The surgeons of NYU Urology Associates are among the most innovative and experienced
in the world at using minimally-invasive ablative treatments to destroy cancerous cells
in the kidney and prostate without any need for surgical incisions. Our doctors are also
highly skilled at destroying cancer lesions through the use of cryosurgery (extreme cold),
HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) and interstitial photodynamic therapy (which
employs a cancer-killing chemical activated by light energy).
At NYU Urology Associates, we are committed to remaining on the cutting edge of endourologic surgery by providing the safest, most effective care available in a minimallyinvasive fashion that is based on demonstrated results. Our ongoing research will allow
us to further refine these technologies in our continuing effort to optimize patient care.
Ablative Techniques
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Male Sexual Health & Infertility
Benign Prostate Disease
Andrew R. McCullough, M.D.
Christopher Kelly, M.D.
Joseph Alukal, M.D.
Joseph Alukal, M.D.
Director
Director, Reproductive Health
Director
Danil Makarov, M.D., M.H.S.
Andrew R. McCullough, M.D.
The doctors at NYU Urology Associates are highly experienced at diagnosing and treating
the full spectrum of male sexual and fertility disorders. Sexual dysfunction is a very common problem that affects men of all ages, and can have an extremely negative impact on
quality of life for men and their partners. At NYU Urology, we tailor customized therapies
for our patients based on individual medical conditions and personal situations.
Throughout their lives, many men will experience sexual dysfunction due to premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and hormonal (testosterone) deficiencies. Our physicians are
uniquely qualified to address these challenging problems. In addition to leading the clinical
studies validating many of the medical therapies for both erectile dysfunction and the concept
of penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatments, NYU Urology was one of the original investigative sites for Viagra®. We are currently exploring new medical therapies for the
treatment of erectile dysfunction that include gene and topical therapies, as well as drugs that
constitute the second generation of Viagra®. When medical treatments are unsuccessful, our
physicians are also able to offer a multitude of highly effective surgical approaches.
Infertility is a problem that can be
devastating to young couples. Since
the inability to initiate pregnancy is
related to male factors in 40 percent
of couples, potential male conditions leading to infertility must be
investigated when a couple is having
difficulty conceiving. In such cases,
NYU urologists use a comprehensive approach to identify and treat
any reversible forms of male-related
infertility that may be a factor.
Thanks to recent advances, many couples that would have been unable to conceive a
child just ten years ago are now able to have biological offspring. Our surgeons are also
expert at performing microsurgical techniques for testicular sperm retrieval, vasectomy
reversal and varicocele repair. In addition to standard treatments for male infertility, we
continually evaluate the latest advances in fertility research, always striving to help couples achieve their goal of parenthood.
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Victor Nitti, M.D.
Ojas Shah, M.D.
As a man advances in years, he will
almost invariably experience some
degree of BPH, or benign prostatic
hyperplasia — also known as an enlarged prostate. The most common issues associated with this condition are
lower urinary tract symptoms such as
frequent urination and impaired urine
flow. Less commonly, BPH may cause
life-threatening problems, including
urinary tract infections, urinary retention, and renal failure.
NYU Urology Associates offers a practical approach to the effective treatment of BPH.
In the 1990s, our physicians led the clinical studies that validated the medical therapies
now routinely used in clinical practice. Today, even newer and more effective medications and surgical techniques are available for shrinking or removing the obstructing
prostate tissue. In addition to standard medical and surgical treatments, our doctors are
investigating experimental therapies. For example, we now utilize state-of-the-art laser
technologies as a minimally-invasive, outpatient treatment for BPH.
Like BPH, prostatitis is a benign condition of the prostate that produces bothersome urinary symptoms. This condition, which can have a number of causes, typically occurs in
men between 20 and 50 years of age. Because there are few proven effective therapies
for prostatitis, NYU Urology Associates utilize a full array of medical options designed to
alleviate urinary symptoms in order to improve the patient’s quality of life.
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Kidney Stone Disease
Integrative Urology
Ojas Shah, M.D.
Geo Espinosa, N.D., L.Ac
Director
It’s estimated that ten percent of Americans will develop a kidney stone in their lifetime. The goal of the
Kidney Stone program is to evaluate, treat, and prevent kidney stone disease. At NYU Urology Associates, our team is committed to using state-of-the-art
technology to improve minimally-invasive and endoscopic kidney stone treatments. The cornerstone of
our program is the prevention of recurrent stones. In
particular, medical and dietary therapy are critical for
averting repeated painful episodes.
Our urologists are experts in all aspects of surgical treatment for stone disease, including
shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, robotic surgery/
laparoscopy and, in rare cases, open surgery. The best treatment is always an individualized
therapy based on a detailed discussion between doctor and patient regarding the risks, benefits, and success rates of various approaches.
One of the major strengths of the Kidney Stone program at NYU Urology Associates is our
experience with ureteroscopic treatment — surgery without any incisions — of complex
stone disease and larger stone burdens. The instruments used for ureteroscopic surgery
are less than 4 mm in width and have the ability to traverse the inside of the entire urinary
tract. Technological advances with fiberoptic and digital scopes have now enabled this visualization to be magnified, allowing for optimal therapy with very low complication rates.
Our experience and reputation for innovation are the reason NYU Urology Associates is a
major referral center for the treatment of complex stone disease as well as for the complications that can occur during the management of kidney and ureteral stones.
Director
Today, approximately two-thirds of Americans over the age of 50 use some form of
alternative medicine. The benefits of integrating holistic therapies with traditional medicine are becoming increasingly clear. The
Integrative Urological Center (IUC) at NYU
Urology Associates draws on this emerging
understanding to complement mainstream
medical care and address the nutritional,
emotional, social and psychological needs of
patients with urologic conditions.
Our integrative urology program offers integrative, holistic approaches to urologic conditions with specific emphasis on clinical nutrition, Western and Eastern herbal medicine, diet modification, acupuncture, the mind/body connection, and exercise — all of
which can be powerful therapies for urologic conditions. Integrative medicine combines
the discipline of modern science with the wisdom of ancient healing. For people living with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, our approach is intended to transform the
physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of their lives. Integrative medicine can also
be valuable to those who are not ill, but who wish to increase self-awareness, enhance
their well-being, and help prevent health-related problems.
The guiding principle at the IUC is to offer the most effective treatment and highest
standard of care for individuals with benign and malignant urologic conditions. Our services include classes on nutrition, stress management and exercise; outpatient care with
alternative therapies; and research, education and training for patients and physicians.
Our goal is to improve quality of
life by slowing new stones from
forming. To accomplish this, we
use a team approach that includes having a dedicated nutritionist available when necessary
to discuss the dietary modifications required to avoid recurrences of this painful condition.
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Physician Information
Herbert Lepor, M.D. is an internationally recognized authority in the
treatment of prostate cancer. In collaboration with Patrick Walsh, his mentor at the Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute, Dr. Lepor pioneered development of the nerve sparing radical prostatectomy, a surgical technique
for removing the prostate while preserving sexual function. Recognized as a
master surgeon, Dr. Lepor is an innovative investigator, prolific writer, effective educator and visionary academic leader.
Dr. Lepor has performed more than 4,000 open radical prostatectomies on men from all corners
of the world with superior published results. His major contributions in the area of prostate cancer
include: pioneering and improving the surgical technique for the nerve sparing radical prostatectomy; establishing recombinant erythropoietin as a safe and effective blood management strategy;
the development of an index to predict the return of continence following radical prostatectomy;
developing surgical refinements and post-operative management strategies to improve cure and
expedite recovery while also enhancing return of continence and potency following radical prostatectomy. More recently, Dr. Lepor has directed his tremendous experience in managing prostate
cancer to investigating minimally-invasive ablative treatments of this disease.
Dr. Lepor completed his medical education and urology residency training at Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine. Appointed Chairman of Urology at NYU School of Medicine in
1993, Dr. Lepor was the youngest chair of Urology in the country at that time. Dr. Lepor is also
the Director of the Smilow Comprehensive Center for Prostate Cancer. He has authored over
350 articles and book chapters and 10 textbooks related to the prostate. Dr. Lepor has been
inducted into the Hopkins Society of Scholars, a distinction awarded annually to only twelve
post-doctoral graduates of John Hopkins University. He is also an elected member of many distinguished societies including the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons, The American Surgical Association, and the Clinical Society of Genitourinary Surgeons, which includes
only 22 active members representing the most accomplished academic urologists in the United
States. Castle Connelly has consistently recognized Dr. Lepor among America’s Top Doctors for
Cancer, Best Urologists in America, and Best Surgeons in America. He is also consistently listed
among the Best Urologists in all of the New York City listings. Dr. Lepor has been an invited visiting professor at more than 20 academic medical centers and has lectured throughout the world.
Joseph Alukal, M.D. specializes in male infertility, erectile dysfunction
and benign diseases of the prostate. He works closely with the world-renowned Fertility Center at NYU Langone Medical Center. A highly skilled
micro-surgeon, Dr. Alukal’s research interests include genetic etiologies of
male infertility and the identification of new treatments for infertility and
BPH. He completed his undergraduate education at Duke University, graduating magna cum laude. Dr. Alukal then went on to medical school at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; he did his urology residency training at Boston University and completed a fellowship in andrology and male infertility at Baylor College of Medicine. In 2008 he joined NYU Urology Associates. Dr. Alukal has received numerous awards,
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including the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Traveling Scholars Award and
the National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Award for Research in Contraception and Male
Infertility. He is an American Urologic Association (AUA) Foundation Fellow, and received the
AUA Foundation Graduate Scholar Award for his research. Dr. Alukal holds memberships with
the AUA, the ASRM, and the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction. Dr. Alukal is also a cohost of the “Men’s Health” show on Sirius Satellite Radio’s “Doctor Radio.”
Geo Espinosa, N.D., L.Ac specializes in integrative, holistic approaches to
urologic conditions in his practice. He has specific interests in clinical nutrition,
Western and Eastern herbal medicine, diet modification, acupuncture, the mind/
body connection, and exercise, all of which can be powerful therapies for urologic
conditions. Dr. Espinosa earned his four-year naturopathic doctoral degree and
two-year acupuncture degree at the University of Bridgeport. He completed a
residency and fellowship at the Center for Holistic Urology, a program of Columbia University Medical Center Department of Urology. At the Center for Holistic Urology, Dr. Espinosa
treated patients with a broad range of urologic conditions and directed clinical research under Dr.
Aaron Katz. Dr. Espinosa’s clinical research has centered on the therapeutic value of proper nutrition
and supplement intake. His studies at the University of Bridgeport focused on quality control in the
manufacturing of dietary supplements and he is an authority on that topic. His research at the Center
for Holistic Urology included investigating the use of Zyflamend, Prostabel and pomegranate juice
for prostate cancer patients. Dr. Espinosa is a member of the American Urological Association, the
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the American Herbalist Guild.
William Huang, M.D. is a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of all urologic cancers, including cancers of the bladder, kidney, prostate, testis and penis. He has extensive experience in open, robotic and
laparoscopic surgical techniques. His surgical expertise includes removal of the
bladder with urinary reconstruction, treatment of complex kidney tumors, and
nerve sparing radical prostatectomy. Dr. Huang received his undergraduate degree
from the University of Pennsylvania and his medical degree from Jefferson Medical
College. He completed his internship and residency in surgery and urology at the Lahey Clinical Medical
Center. Prior to joining the staff of NYU Urology Associates in 2007, he completed a 3-year clinical and
research fellowship in urologic oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Dr. Huang has published over 50 articles, book chapters and abstracts in several high-impact journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Lancet Oncology, and the New England Journal of
Medicine. He has lectured at both national and international meetings, particularly on improving
outcomes following kidney cancer surgery. Dr. Huang has received awards from the American Urologic Association and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. In 2007, Dr. Huang was the recipient of the Chairman’s Award from the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center for outstanding clinical research during his fellowship. Dr. Huang continues to advance the
field of urologic oncology through his research into novel chemotherapeutic approaches to bladder
cancer, innovative techniques for the treatment of prostate cancer such as HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound), and investigation of the impact of surgery in kidney cancer survivors. Although
Dr. Huang has only been with at NYU for a few years, he has already been listed as a top surgeon
and top urologist by the Consumers Research Council.
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Christopher E. Kelly, M.D. has an expertise in female urology, male and
Victor W. Nitti, M.D. is an authority on urodynamic techniques and medical
female urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and neurourology and is
well trained in all aspects of urology. Dr. Kelly received his medical degree
at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed his
general surgical and urologic training at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. After residency, Dr. Kelly completed a fellowship in female urology, urodynamics and pelvic reconstructive surgery at the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He has authored several chapters on
urodynamics, prostate disease and surgical therapy for incontinence and prolapse in women. Dr.
Kelly is a Diplomate of the American Board of Urology, as well as an Associate Member of the
American Urological Association and the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology.
and surgical therapies for incontinence as well as voiding dysfunction in women and
men. Dr. Nitti’s practice also focuses on female pelvic medicine and reconstructive
surgery. He is involved in several clinical trials investigating new pharmacologic and
minimally-invasive treatments for urinary incontinence and voiding dysfunction. Dr.
Nitti did his urology residency at SUNY Brooklyn and completed a fellowship in Female Urology, Neurourology and Reconstructive Urology at UCLA. A Professor and
Vice-Chairman of Urology, he joined the faculty of NYU Urology Associates in 1995.
Danil Makarov, M.D. specializes in the treatment of prostate cancer and
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as well as bladder and kidney cancer. In
addition to his clinical expertise in urological oncology, Dr. Makarov is a highly
regarded health services researcher. He received his undergraduate degree in
economics from Yale University and his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins
School of Medicine. He completed a surgical internship in the William S. Halsted Department of Surgery and a residency in urology at the James Buchanan
Brady Urological Institute (both at Johns Hopkins). After completing his residency, Dr. Makarov
continued on the faculty at Johns Hopkins as an Instructor in Urology. After this experience, Dr.
Makarov completed a Masters in Health Sciences Research as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Clinical Scholar at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Makarov joined NYU Urology Associates
in 2010. His research interests focus on the use of tissue and serum biomarkers for the risk stratification of men with prostate cancer (especially those with low-volume, low-grade disease) as well
as policy-relevant questions impacting the provision of cost-effective, high-quality care for patients with prostate cancer. He is an Assistant Professor of Urology at the NYU School of Medicine
as well as Assistant Professor of Health Policy at the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service.
Andrew R. McCullough, M.D., FACS specializes in the field of male sexual
health and infertility. He has pioneered new therapies for erectile dysfunction and
is an expert in treating BPH, Peyronie’s disease, and premature ejaculation. An internationally recognized expert and educator in sexual health, Dr. McCullough has
lectured and presented his research work in sexual dysfunction and male infertility
at major conferences throughout the world. He was also one of the original clinical
investigators for Viagra® and continues to investigate new medical therapies for
the treatment of male and female sexual dysfunction. Dr. McCullough did his urology residency training at Johns Hopkins and has been part of the NYU Urology Associates team since 1994.
Dr. McCullough has published extensively on the management of sexual dysfunction after treatment for prostate cancer. His research on infertility has focused on the use of advanced ultrasonographic techniques in the diagnosis and management of male infertility. Dr. McCullough is a
member of the American Society of Andrology, the Sexual Medicine Society, and the Society for
the Study of Male Reproduction. He also serves on the editorial review board of the Journal of
Andrology, Urology, the Journal of Urology, the International Journal of Impotence Research, the
Asian Journal of Andrology, and the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Dr. McCullough is a co-host of
the “Men’s Health” show on Sirius Satellite Radio’s “Doctor Radio.”
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Dr. Nitti has authored over 100 peer review articles and over 40 book chapters and also edited the textbook
Practical Urodynamics, published by W.B. Saunders. He has presented his research at national and international meetings, and has been invited as a visiting professor and participated in postgraduate courses
throughout the world. Dr. Nitti is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Board of
Urology, and is a member of the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons. He is also a member of
the American Urological Association, the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology (of which he is the
current President), the International Continence Society, the American Urogynecologic Society, the International Urogynecological Society, and The World Health Organization’s First through Fourth International
Consultations on Incontinence and the Sixth International Consultation on New Developments in Prostate
Cancer and Prostate Diseases. Dr. Nitti has been named to New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors in New
York” every year since 2000, and to Castle and Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors every year since 2003.
Nirit Rosenblum, M.D. has extensive experience in treating pelvic organ
prolapse using minimally-invasive and uterine sparing surgical approaches. She
specializes in female pelvic medicine, incontinence in men and women, pelvic
organ prolapse, female sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, and voiding
dysfunction in men and women. Specifically, Dr. Rosenblum has pioneered the
use of robotic surgery in the repair of pelvic organ prolapse with the option of a
uterine-sparing technique. She has been involved at a national level in teaching
robotic surgical techniques for pelvic organ prolapse repair to urology and urogynecology fellows. Dr.
Rosenblum is also highly experienced in treating incontinence, overactive bladder, and female sexual
dysfunction as well as bladder dysfunction associated with MS, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. A graduate of NYU School of Medicine, Dr. Rosenblum completed her urology
residency training at NYU before pursuing fellowship training at UCLA. She returned to New York and
joined NYU Urology Associates in 2002. Dr. Rosenblum has authored several peer-reviewed articles
as well as chapters in well-recognized urology journals and books, and has presented her clinical research at regional and national meetings. Dr. Rosenblum is also a member of the American Urologic
Association, the Society of Women in Urology, and the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology.
Stephen Scionti, M.D.’s clinical and research interests are focused on the
accurate diagnosis and the minimally-invasive treatment of prostate cancer.
He participates in a national prostate cryotherapy computerized database
that continually monitors results, complications and quality of life following
cryotherapy. Dr. Scionti was awarded his medical degree from the University
of Connecticut School of Medicine, where he participated in the “Scholars in
Medicine” program. He completed his urology residency at the University of
Connecticut Health Center and received their Outstanding Presentation Award.
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Following his urology training, he was commissioned in 1990 as a Lt. Commander in the U.S.
Navy Medical Corps and provided Urologic care at U.S. Naval Hospital, Charleston, S.C. After
completing his Naval service, Dr. Scionti established a private urology practice dedicated to the
minimally-invasive treatment of prostate cancer in South Carolina. He joined the Smilow Center
in 2009 as Director of Ablative Prostate Cancer Surgery. As the North American physician representative to the Sonablate International HIFU Registry, Dr. Scionti has played a major role in training urologists throughout the world in minimally invasive therapies for prostate cancer. He is also
a Course Director for the USHIFU physician-training program and helped develop the program
that leads to certification in HIFU therapy for American urologists. Dr. Scionti is also closely involved in training urologists in the use of cryotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer; he has
instructed over 200 physicians in this procedure and serves as Course Director for Endocare. Dr.
Scionti is a member of the American Urological Association and the International HIFU Society.
Ojas Shah, M.D. is highly skilled in all aspects of surgical and metabolic
treatment for stone disease, ranging from simple cases to the most complex.
Dr. Shah has extensive experience in minimally-invasive urologic surgery
(including endoscopy/ureteroscopy, laparoscopy and robotics), as well as
management of upper tract urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma, benign
prostate disease (BPH), repair of ureteral strictures and ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, and ureteral/renal reconstructive surgery. A graduate
of the Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University School of Medicine, Dr.
Shah completed his general surgery and urology training at NYU School of Medicine. He spent
an additional year at Wake Forest University Health Sciences Center as a fellow in endourology,
laparoscopy and metabolic stone disease. Dr. Shah then joined NYU Urology Associates in 1993.
Dr. Shah is the Director of the Endourology and Kidney Stone Disease program and serves as
Chief of Urology at Bellevue Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Shah is the Urology Residency Program
Director, which includes the responsibility for organizing the residency education and curriculum
and directing the Surgical Skills Lab. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles,
book chapters, invited papers, and abstracts in the urologic literature. Dr. Shah has also lectured
and presented his research at both national and international meetings. His main research focuses on the treatment of kidney stone disease, upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial carcinoma), and ureteral obstruction/reconstruction. Dr. Shah has won awards from the
American Urological Association, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and the Endourology Society. He has been listed in The New York Times Magazine’s “Super Doctors” and in
Consumers’ Research Council of America’s “Top Urologists” for the last several years.
Ellen Shapiro, M.D. is a recognized leader in the study of neonatal and
pediatric urologic diseases. She has published over 125 original articles and
more than 40 book chapters, and has presented over 100 clinical and scientific papers at national and international meetings. She has also been an invited author of Campbell’s Urology, which is the major textbook of urology. Dr.
Shapiro completed her Surgical and Urology Residencies at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and her pediatric urology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan. A recognized leader in research into the development of the human genitourinary
tract, she has won seven major awards for urologic research, including the prestigious Frances F.
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Schwentker Award in Laboratory Research from the Johns Hopkins Hospital as well as the First
Prize in the annual American Urological Association Laboratory Research Competition and First
Prize in pediatric urology research by the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Urology.
Dr. Shapiro has served on the Examination Committee of the American Board of Urology and the
American Urological Association and the Editorial Committee of the Pediatric Section of the Journal
of Urology. She has also been a committee member for special urologic grant reviews at the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the NIH, and has served as the Chairman
of the Pediatric Urology Manpower Committee for over a decade. Over the past six years, she has
been a member of the American Urological Association Vesicoureteral Reflux Guidelines committee.
Dr. Shapiro is an active member of the American Urological Association, the American Academy
of Pediatrics Section of Urology, the American College of Surgeons, the Society for Pediatric Urology, the Society for Fetal Urology, the American Association of Pediatric Urologists, and the Association of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons. in addition, she has been recognized as one
of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connelly since 2003.
Michael D. Stifelman, M.D. has one of the largest and most diverse minimally-invasive uro-oncology and urinary reconstructive practices in the nation.
He has performed over 1,000 robotic and laparoscopic procedures since joining NYU, and has pioneered over a dozen minimally-invasive surgeries. World
renowned for his contributions in robotic nephron sparing surgery for kidney
cancer, Dr. Stifelman is also recognized for his work in developing robotic urinary reconstructive procedures to correct obstructions within the upper urinary
tract. In addition, he has one of the largest robotic prostatectomy series in New York City. Dr. Stifelman completed his general surgery and urologic training at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
and an Endourology/Laparoscopic Fellowship at New York Presbyterian-Cornell. He was recruited
in 2000 as the Director of Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center.
Dr. Stifelman has written numerous book chapters on advanced robotic and laparoscopic procedures and has authored over 100 scientific articles and abstracts on robotic and laparoscopic
surgery. Since joining NYU, Dr. Stifelman has been appointed Chief of the Urology Service at
Tisch Hospital and Director of Robotic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. Academically,
Dr. Stifelman focuses on developing and evaluating new technologies and defining their exact
roles in the operating room. He continues to create standardized teaching techniques to train
residents and practicing surgeons in the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques. He is on
the faculty of many courses, including those of the American Urologic Association and the World
Robotic Urology Symposium, and is also Director of his own course at NYU, “Robotic Renal Surgery: Simplifying Complex Procedures.” Each year he travels as a visiting surgeon both nationally
and internationally, disseminating advanced robotic techniques. Dr. Stifelman is recognized as
one of New York’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly and as one of Consumers’ Research Council of
America’s Top Physicians and Top Surgeons.
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Samir S. Taneja, M.D. is among the most experienced urologic cancer surgeons in the northeast, having performed over 2,000 procedures for the treatment of prostate, kidney, bladder and testis cancers. His surgical outcomes
stand among the best in the country. Dr. Taneja has extensive experience in
surgical and non-surgical treatment of prostate cancer, removal of kidney tumors by partial nephrectomy, and radical surgery for advanced kidney and
bladder cancers. His practice focuses on robotic prostatectomy, minimally
invasive partial nephrectomy, and prostate cancer focal therapy. Having extensive experience
in open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgical techniques, Dr. Taneja is one of a few surgeons in the
region who is comfortable approaching a tumor by any method, thereby allowing an individually
tailored surgical approach to each patient and each cancer. Dr. Taneja graduated from the Honors
Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University in 1990 and completed his urologic
surgical training at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center in 1996. He joined the
Urologic Oncology program at NYU Urology Associates in 2000.
Dr. Taneja has published numerous scientific articles and book chapters. He has authored three
textbooks, including Complications of Urologic Surgery: Prevention and Management, one of the
leading textbooks in the field. He is Co-Director of the Smilow Comprehensive Center for Prostate
Cancer, Program Leader for the NYU Cancer Institute Genitourinary Cancer Program, Director of
the Urologic Oncology Fellowship Program, and Chief of Urology at the Manhattan VA Hospital.
He has been listed for several years among New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors,” Castle Connolly’s
America’s Top Doctors for Cancer and America’s Top Doctors, Consumers’ Research Council of
America’s Top Physicians and Top Surgeons, and The New York Times Magazine’s “Super Doctors.”
At the Forefront of Urology
The NYU School of Medicine has been at the forefront of urology and urologic research
since its founding in 1841. Under the leadership of Dr. Herbert Lepor, the Urology Department has established itself as the nation’s premier center for urologic care.
Clinical and laboratory research — the backbone of our commitment
NIH (National Institute of Health) funding for
NYU urological research is among the highest for
any urology department in the nation. To assure
the continued cross-fertilization of research and
patient care, basic scientists work closely with
NYU Urology Associates on a wide range of research initiatives, leading to a better understanding of clinical problems.
In 2009, Urologic Disease was designated as one of only six Centers of Excellence
at NYU Langone Medical Center. This coveted designation was a recognition of the
outstanding accomplishments and important discoveries made by NYU’s multi-disciplinary research program focusing on urologic diseases. The institutional commitment
and resources provided by the Center of Excellence program will provide the foundation for future discoveries in the laboratory, which in turn will be translated by NYU
Urology Associates into new, more effective ways of treating urologic conditions.
Education
All of our doctors are members of the faculty at NYU School of Medicine. As medical educators, they have a responsibility to the next generation of physicians, both to
equip them with the latest information and techniques and to advance this body of
knowledge for future generations.
• The NYU Department of Urology sponsors a fully accredited, 5-year residency-training program. Both residents and medical students actively participate in the clinical
and research programs.
• The NYU Department of Urology also sponsors the Bruce Sherman Fellowship in Urologic Oncology, a fully funded, 12-month clinical fellowship with an option for a second year of laboratory research, as well as a two-year accredited fellowship in Female
Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.
• In addition, NYU Urology Associates sponsors two annual post-graduate courses
that are attended by practicing urologists from throughout the country and the world.
• NYU Urology Associates promotes education by serving as visiting professors, lecturing at national and international organizations and medical societies, and by preparing educational material for our patient community.
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Making an Appointment or Referral
with NYU Urology Associates
If you are a patient who would like to make an appointment, or a physician who would like to refer a patient, please call:
Dr. Joseph Alukal
Dr. Geo Espinosa
Dr. William Huang
Dr. Christopher Kelly
Dr. Herbert Lepor
Dr. Andrew McCullough
Dr. Victor Nitti
Dr. Nirit Rosenblum
Dr. Stephen Scionti
Dr. Ojas Shah
Dr. Ellen Shapiro
Dr. Michael Stifelman
Dr. Samir S. Taneja
646-825-6323
646-744-1515
646-744-1503
646-825-6322
646-825-6327
646-825-6311
646-825-6324
646-825-6311
646-744-1505
646-825-6322
646-825-6326
646-825-6325
646-825-6321
For general inquiries:
646-825-6300
Please also visit us on the web:
NYUUrology.org