The UAB Department of Urology is expanding its subspecialized patient care with a new minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Brejjette Aljabi, M.Ed., class of 2026 medical student in the Heersink School of Medicine, recently won Best Podium Presentation in the Renal Cancer Podium Session at the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association Annual Meeting. The meeting was held March 12-15, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.

The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine recognized 15 faculty members for their outstanding contributions to research, education, and clinical care at the Spring 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception.

Adam Baumgarten, M.D., MBA, assistant professor in the UAB Department of Urology, Departmental Value Officer, Associate Residency Program Director, and Director of Medical Student Education, has been selected to join the 2025–2026 Leadership Class of the American Urological Association (AUA) Institute for Leadership & Business.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that chronic kidney disease affects more than one in seven adults in the United States, an estimated 35.5 million Americans. Additionally, the risk of developing kidney disease increases with conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Kyle Wood, M.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Urology, shares three key strategies for preventing kidney stones and protecting kidney health.

Kidney stones are more than just a painful setback—they can be avoided. Studies show that with a few simple lifestyle and dietary changes, you can significantly lower your risk of developing these painful stones.

Soroush Rais-Bahrami, M.D., FACS, will be traveling to Japan to participate in the American Urological Association/Japanese Urological Association (AUA/JUA) Exchange Program from April 1 through April 20. Rais-Bahrami will spend the majority of the three-week program in Kyoto before traveling to Fukuoka for the JUA Annual Meeting on April 17-19.

The UAB Department of Urology is pleased to announce the establishment of The John R. Burns, M.D.

The 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) is April 26-29 in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Venetian Convention & Expo Center.

Thomas Chi, M.D., MBA, professor and chair of the UAB Department of Urology, has been named named Anton J. Bueschen, M.D., Endowed Chair of Urologic Surgery and Research.

Obesity does not only put individuals at risk for heart disease and diabetes—it's also a leading cause of kidney stone disease.

Tanecia Mitchell, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Urology, has been awarded the Division for Translational and Clinical Pharmacology Early Career Award by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). This prestigious award recognizes early-career scientists for their outstanding contributions to translational and clinical pharmacology research.

The UAB Department of Urology, in collaboration with the Mike Slive Foundation, provided free PSA blood testing to more than 65 men during the Auburn University Men’s Basketball “AUTLIVE” cancer game vs. The University of Tennessee on Jan.

Thomas Chi, M.D., MBA, joined the UAB Department of Urology as professor and chair in January 2025. Chi reflects on his first month in his new role and what he looks forward to as he helps shape the future of UAB Urology.

Soroush Rais-Bahrami, M.D., MBA, FACS, has been appointed the William H. Boyce Chair in Urology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, effective June 1, 2025. 

UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office welcomed 16 individuals in its 10th cohort of Institute for Leadership in January 2025. UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership is a flagship program of the Leadership Development Office, aimed at empowering leaders across UAB and the UAB Health System.

The UAB Department of Urology is proud to welcome our newest class of residents in the 2025 Match. This year is particularly exciting as it celebrates the approval of a fourth spot in the highly competitive, ACGME-accredited residency training program.

The UAB Department of Urology is thrilled to announce approval for a fourth spot in its competitive ACGME-accredited residency training program for the 2025 match process. This supplemental match will occur through the secondary matching process from Jan.

Marissa Keppley, MBA, was announced the new Executive Administrator for the UAB Department of Urology, effective Feb. 10, 2025.

Now one of three internationally, UAB has recently been named an OHF Care Center for excellence in research and clinical care for rare kidney stone disease.

Joseph Crivelli, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Urology, was recently named a recipient of the Rising Stars in Urology Research Award from the American Urological Association.

Identifying the early signs of kidney stone disease is crucial for preventing complications and managing symptoms.

UAB has been named a Care Center by the Oxalosis & Hyperoxaluria Foundation (OHF), making it one of three designated OHF Care Centers in the world. The designation marks UAB’s recognition as an international research hub and multidisciplinary clinical site focusing on primary hyperoxaluria and other rare kidney stone diseases.

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

Each November, the Department of Urology is proud to partner with the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Medicine to raise awareness for and promote education surrounding health issues like prostate and testicular cancer.

Join the UAB “Stubble To Support Men’s Health” campaign and make a difference in the fight against prostate cancer by growing facial hair in support of the cause.

UAB helps meet the needs of adults with spina bifida by providing care as one of the only adult spina bifida clinics in the Southeast.

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

Kristi Gidley, PA-C, MSHA, has been named Associate Vice President of Practice Expansion at UAB Medicine, effective Oct. 1, 2024.