2025: The Year in Review | Department of Urology

Back to 2024 Year in Review

In 2025, the Department of Urology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was recognized as the highest-ranked urology program in North Carolina by U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals for Urology – a milestone that reflects the department’s continued strength across clinical excellence, national reputation, and patient experience.

Throughout the year, UNC Urology advanced its mission across patient care, education, and research, strengthening its impact locally, nationally, and internationally. Grounded in a commitment to patient-centered care, our faculty, trainees, and staff worked across disciplines to deliver innovative clinical programs, expand access to evidence-based care, and improve outcomes for the people of North Carolina and beyond.

UNC Urology faculty were also recognized as leaders in academic medicine, shaping national conversations through research, quality improvement, education, and professional service. From the clinic and classroom to national stages and international collaborations, the department remained deeply invested in mentoring the next generation of urologists and advancing the field through scholarship and innovation.

Please join us in reflecting on and celebrating the many accomplishments of UNC Urology in 2025.

Awards and Recognition National Leadership Education

Patient Care Professional Development Research

Awards and Recognition National Leadership Education Patient Care Professional Development Research

Awards

We are proud to have the excellence and leadership of our faculty consistently recognized by patients, peers, and national organizations.

Dr. Angela Smith Inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece, UNC’s Highest Honor Society (04/09/25):
We are proud to share that Dr. Angela Smith has been inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece – the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s oldest and most prestigious honorary society.

Zachary Feuer, MD, Receives Prestigious 2025 Pope Clinical Trainee Award (05/19/25):
Dr. Zachary Feuer, Urologic Oncology Fellow and incoming UNC Urology faculty member, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Pope Clinical Trainee Award.

Dr. Hersh Trivedi Receives 2025 Robert C. Cefalo House Officer Award (06/24/25):
UNC Urology is proud to announce that Dr. Hersh Trivedi, a current resident in the class of 2027, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Robert C. Cefalo House Officer Award–an honor that recognizes house officers who demonstrate exceptional academic and clinical promise, along with a commitment to compassionate patient care.

2025 End of Year Department of Urology Awards (07/14/25):
UNC Urology honors outstanding residents and faculty at the 2025 End of Year Awards. Congratulations to Drs. Hersh Trivedi, Brooke Spratte, Kevin Neuzil, and Hans Arora for their exceptional contributions.

UNC Urology and Pediatric Urology Ranked #31 & #32 in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report (07/30/25):
UNC Urology and Pediatric Urology have once again been recognized among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report in its annual “Best Hospitals” rankings for 2025–2026. UNC Urology is ranked #31 nationally, and Pediatric Urology at North Carolina Children’s Hospital is ranked #32 out of nearly 5,000 hospitals nationally evaluated.

UNC Pediatric Urology Among Nation’s Best in 2024–25 U.S. News Rankings (10/08/25):
Among these honors, North Carolina Children’s Hospital Pediatric Urology was ranked #27 in the nation in the U.S. News & World Report 2024–25 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings.

View Last Year’s (2024) Awards News

National Leadership

Alongside their efforts in Chapel Hill, UNC Urology faculty members provide substantive leadership in service to multiple national organizations in urology.

Dr. Marc Bjurlin Spotlights Connection Between Smoking and Bladder Cancer on BCAN Podcast (02/24/25):
In a recent episode of the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast titled “Unpacking Smoking and Bladder Cancer,” Dr. Marc Bjurlin shared critical insights into the connection between smoking and bladder cancer.

Leslie Donnelly Lorbacher Selected as At-Large Member of the 2025 APP Advisory Council (03/04/25):
UNC Urology is proud to share that Leslie Donnelly Lorbacher, AGNP, MSN, RN, has been selected as an At-Large Member of the newly formed 2025 Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Advisory Council.

Dr. Westerman Appointed to AUA’s Practice Guidelines Committee, Strengthening UNC Urology’s Influence in National Leadership (03/26/25):
UNC Urology proudly announces that Dr. Mary Beth Westerman, a newly appointed faculty member, has been selected to serve on the American Urological Association’s (AUA) Practice Guidelines Committee, a key subcommittee of the Science & Quality Committee.

Dr. Matthew Nielsen Featured in The Technician on the Legacy of Prostate Cancer Detection (03/28/25):
Dr. Matthew Nielsen was recently featured in The Technician, NC State University’s student newspaper, discussing the profound impact of Dr. T. Ming Chu’s groundbreaking work in prostate cancer detection.

UNC Urology and Men’s Health Program Featured in Statewide Spotlight on Prostate Cancer Screening (03/31/25):
A recent article in N.C. Health News highlighted a proposed legislative effort to expand access to early prostate cancer screening in North Carolina. The article included numerous quotes from UNC Urology’s Dr. Matthew Nielsen.

Dr. Nielsen Featured on AUA’s Inside Tract Podcast: Spotlight on Advancing Diagnostic Excellence in Prostate Cancer (04/07/25):
Dr. Matthew Nielsen joined Dr. Andrei Purysko of the Cleveland Clinic on a recent episode of the AUA’s Inside Tract podcast to discuss the role of high-quality prostate MR imaging in advancing prostate cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Matthew Nielsen Leads National Efforts to Advance Diagnostic Excellence in Prostate Cancer (04/11/25):
Dr. Matthew Nielsen leads national conversations on advancing diagnostic excellence in prostate cancer, emphasizing imaging quality, interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing disparities. Explore insights shaping the future of urologic care.

UNC Urology’s Rapid Access Pathway Featured at AUA’s Diagnostic Excellence Summit (04/16/25):
Drs. Tan and Feuer shared how UNC Urology’s rapid access program for prostate cancer diagnosis program reduced biopsy wait times by 70% and improved cancer detection at the AUA’s Diagnostic Excellence Summit.

UNC Urology’s Dr. Hans Arora Featured in Urology Times for Advocacy Leadership at the AUA Summit (05/12/25):
Dr. Hans Arora, Assistant Professor and Director of Robotic Surgery in Pediatric Urology, was recently featured in Urology Times for his leadership in health policy and physician advocacy at the 2025 AUA Advocacy Summit

Improving Prostate Cancer Care Through Diagnostic Excellence: UNC Urology Faculty Highlight National Framework in AUA Spotlight (05/27/25):
In an AUA Spotlight article, Drs. David Friedlander and Matthew Nielsen bring attention to how diagnostic excellence can help reduce disparities and improve prostate cancer care for all patients.

UNC Urology Spotlights MRI-Driven Precision in National Push for Diagnostic Excellence (06/02/25):
UNC Urology faculty continue to lead the national conversation on advancing diagnostic excellence, as highlighted in a recent AUA Spotlight article authored by Drs. Zach Feuer, Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, and Matthew Nielsen.

New AUA Guideline on GSM Highlights Urology’s Role in Menopause Care (07/11/25):
A newly released AUA guideline developed in collaboration with the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) and the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), is bringing national attention to the diagnosis and treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).

Dr. Mary Beth Westerman Helps Lead 2025 AUA Guideline Amendment on Microhematuria (07/28/25):
Dr. Mary Beth Westerman helps lead the 2025 AUA Guideline Amendment on Microscopic Hematuria, advancing risk-based, patient-centered care.

UNC Urology Alumna Dr. Pauline Filippou Featured on BackTable Urology Podcast (08/04/25):
The UNC Department of Urology is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of alumna Dr. Pauline Filippou (Residency Class of 2020), who was recently featured on the BackTable Urology podcast in Episode #249, Palliative Care in Urology.

UNC Urology and Lineberger Stand Out at the 2025 BCAN Bladder Cancer Think Tank (08/26/25):
UNC Urology and Lineberger had a strong showing at the 2025 BCAN Bladder Cancer Think Tank in Washington, D.C. (July 30–August 1). This year’s attendees included UNC Urology’s Mary Dunn, MSN, NP-C, OCN, RN; Meredith Crabtree, FNP-C; and Angela Smith, MD, MS, along with UNC Lineberger members Matthew Milowsky, MD; William Kim, MD; and Jeffrey Damrauer, PhD

Dr. Matthew Milowsky Provides Expert Insight in National Coverage of Deion Sanders’ Bladder Cancer Diagnosis (08/28/25):
Dr. Milowsky noted that Sanders’ diagnosis — described by his surgeon as very high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer — can present complex treatment decisions.

Julie Farmer and Colleagues Provide Insights at National Cancer Center Community Impact Forum (10/07/25):
Julie Farmer, DrPH, MHA, Associate Chair for Administration in the Department of Urology, recently attended and presented at the annual Cancer Center Community Impact Forum (CCCIF), hosted this year in Raleigh by North Carolina’s NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.

Dr. Zachary Feuer Appointed to National PI-RADS Quality Assurance and Practice Improvement Subcommittee (11/04/25):
Zachary Feuer, MD has been selected to serve on the American College of Radiology’s Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) Quality Assurance and Practice Improvement Subcommittee.

Dr. Hung-Jui “Ray” Tan Featured on BackTable Podcast to Discuss Shared Decision Making in GU Cancer Care (12/15/25):
Dr. Ray Tan explores how empathy, communication, and evidence-based tools improve decision making for patients with GU cancers.

UNC Urology Faculty Featured Prominently at the 26th Annual SUO Scientific Meeting (12/17/25):
UNC Urology advanced national dialogue at the 2025 SUO Meeting, with faculty leading major panels and program development in urologic oncology.

View Last Year’s (2024) National Leadership News

Education

The UNC Urology residency program continues to attract candidates from top medical schools around the country, who go on to be leaders in urology across the spectrum of practice settings.

Dr. Kristy Borawski Appointed Vice Chair of Education for UNC Urology (06/04/25):
Dr. Kristy Borawski has been appointed the department’s Vice Chair of Education, a new role that builds on her longstanding leadership in medical education and underscores the department’s commitment to shaping the future of urologic training across all levels.

UNC Urology Welcomes Incoming Urologic Oncology Fellow Dr. Brandon Wilson (06/25/25):
Dr. Brandon Wilson has matched into our 2026–2028 Urologic Oncology Fellowship, following the 2025 Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Fellowship Match.

Match Day 2025 – UNC Urology Residency Class of ’30 (02/03/25):
Congratulations Katherine Bobrek (Emory University School of Medicine), Stephen Flinn (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine), and Salil Ghamande (Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University) – our UNC Urology Residency Class of ’30. We look forward to greeting you all in Chapel Hill later this year.

Dr. Kristy Borawski Delivers White Coat Ceremony Address to UNC School of Medicine Class of 2027 (04/02/25):
On Sunday, October 13, 2024, the UNC School of Medicine gathered in celebration of the Class of 2027’s White Coat Ceremony, marking a profound moment of transition as students formally began their journey into the field of medicine. Among the speakers selected for this milestone event was Dr. Kristy Borawski, Professor of Urology, Residency Program Director for UNC Urology, and Director of the Learning Environment for Undergraduate Medical Education.

UNC Urology Resident Dr. Hannah Kay Matches into Urologic Oncology Fellowship at UC San Diego (06/25/25):
Dr. Hannah Kay, MD (Residency Class of 2026), has successfully matched into the Urologic Oncology Fellowship at UC San Diego—a premier training program renowned for its excellence in cancer research and surgical innovation.

UNC Urology Resident Dr. Asia Matthew-Onabanjo Matches into Men’s Health/Andrology Fellowship at Henry Ford (06/26/25):
Asia Matthew-Onabanjo, MD, PhD (Residency Class of 2026), has successfully matched into the Men’s Health/Andrology Fellowship at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan.

UNC Urology Welcomes Incoming Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery Fellow Dr. Jennifer Griffith (07/09/25):
UNC Urology is proud to announce the successful match of Dr. Jennifer Griffith into our 2026–2027 Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery (GURS) Fellowship, following the national GURS match.

Celebrating the Graduation of UNC Urology Residents: Class of 2025 (07/14/25):
Join us in celebrating the achievements of UNC Urology Residency Program graduates, Drs. Abimbola, Emmerling, and Neuzil

UNC Urology Welcomes Incoming Endourology Fellow Dr. Ashley-Marie Green-Lott (07/30/25):
UNC Urology is pleased to announce that Ashley-Marie Y. Green-Lott, MD, Capt, USAF, has matched into our 2026–2027 Endourology/Minimally-Invasive Surgery Fellowship.

Apoorv Dhir, MD, Named 2025–2026 Urology Care Foundation Research Scholar Awardee (09/08/25):
Dr. Apoorv Dhir, a Urologic Oncology Fellow, has been awarded a 2025–2026 Urology Care Foundation Research Scholar Award presented by the AUA on behalf of the Urology Care Foundation in support of his research project, “Development of a Universal Communication Framework to Improve Shared Decision-Making for Small Renal Masses.”

Ruby Abror: Patient-Centered Inquiry, Mentorship, and Momentum through the Castillo Scholars Program (09/15/25):
UNC medical student Ruby Abror joined UNC Urology and set out to tackle a deceptively simple question with real clinical stakes: how should outcomes after rectourethral fistula (RUF) repair be reported so surgeons and patients can reliably compare approaches?

UNC Urology Resident Dr. Brooke Spratte Presents Innovative Pediatric Case at ESPU 35th Congress in Vienna, Austria (10/13/25):
UNC Urology PGY-4 resident Dr. Brooke Spratte was on the international stage at the European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) 35th Congress in Vienna, Austria presenting a pediatric case report that showcases a thoughtful, safety-minded approach to complex continence surgery.

Guided By Discovery: How Research And Mentorship Shape Future Physicians (11/17/25):
Fourth-year student Avani Desai and Dr. Angela Smith advance patient-centered urology research through mentorship and innovation at UNC.

View Last Year’s (2024) Education News

Patient Care

UNC Urology is committed to providing our patients with the highest quality, personalized and compassionate care.

UNC Urology Welcomes Dr. Zachary Feuer to the Faculty (01/06/25):
Dr. Zachary Feuer, one of our Urologic Oncology Fellows, will be joining the UNC Urology faculty as an Assistant Professor of Urology in the Summer of 2025.

State-of-the-Art Robotic Surgery Techniques Minimize Urinary Complications For Men Undergoing Prostatectomy (Removal of Prostate) (02/17/25):
Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) is a minimally invasive surgery for men with prostate cancer. The procedure involves making a series of small holes in the abdomen through which robotic arms controlled by the surgeon are used to remove the prostate with a high degree of accuracy and precision. RALP is now the most common type of prostatectomy performed in the U.S.

Supporting Survivors: UNC Urology’s Role in Testicular Cancer Survivorship (05/29/25):
For many testicular cancer survivors, completing treatment is the beginning of a new and uncertain journey. That journey is met with expert guidance, compassion, and long-term care, thanks in large part to the Testicular Cancer Survivorship Clinic, co-led by UNC Urology’s Dr. Ray Tan and nurse practitioner Mary Dunn, MSN, NP-C, OCN, RN.

UNC Urology Faculty Recognized as 2025 Castle Connolly ‘Top Doctors’ (07/17/25):
Congratulations to Drs. Arora, Borawski, Bukowski, Chan, Figler, Friedlander, Johnson, Nielsen, Raynor, Ross, Smith, Sutherland, Tan, Viprakasit, and Westerman who all received the 2025 ‘Top Doctor’ designation from Castle Connolly.

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Westerman Brings Intracorporeal Diversions to UNC Urology (09/04/25):
Urologic oncologist Mary Elizabeth Westerman, MD has introduced robotic intracorporeal urinary diversions to Chapel Hill, expanding advanced options for patients who require bladder removal (radical cystectomy).

UNC Urology Launches Focal Therapy Program for Prostate Cancer Treatment Using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) (09/29/25):
UNC Urology is proud to announce the launch of a new Focal Therapy Program offering patients with prostate cancer access to High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), an innovative, minimally invasive treatment option designed to precisely target cancer while preserving healthy tissue and quality of life.

UNC Urology and UNC Lineberger Join Forces at the 2025 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk in Raleigh (10/28/25):
UNC Urology joined colleagues from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk in Raleigh.

Advancing Men’s Health: Highlights from Omega Psi Phi’s Public Health Forum (11/24/25):
UNC Urology spotlights Omega Psi Phi’s Public Health Forum, where UNC Lineberger partners and community clinicians led discussions on prostate cancer, chronic disease, and men’s health awareness.

3 Things to Know About Prostate Cancer (12/10/25):
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but many don’t know their risk factors or when to get screened. We talked to UNC Health urologist Matthew Nielsen, MD, and learned three things men need to know about prostate cancer.

View Last Year’s (2024) Patient Care News

Professional Development

UNC Urology attracts the most talented faculty from around the country, and we are proud of their development into leading experts in their field.

Dr. Marc Bjurlin Appointed Vice Chair of Research for UNC Urology (02/19/25):
UNC Urology is proud to announce that Marc Bjurlin, DO, MSc, FACOS, has been appointed the department’s Vice Chair of Research, a role that will further elevate our research mission and commitment to advancing urologic care.

Dr. Kathryn Hacker Gessner Named to UNC’s Physician Scientist Training Program (05/21/25):
Dr. Kathryn Hacker Gessner, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, has been selected for the UNC School of Medicine’s Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP). She is the first member of UNC Urology to receive this honor since the program’s inception in 2020.

Dr. Angela Smith Appointed Interim Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development (05/22/25):
Dr. Angela Smith has been named Interim Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development for the UNC School of Medicine. She will assume the role on June 1, 2025.

Dr. Zachary Feuer Selected as UNC IHQI Improvement Scholar (10/15/25):
Dr. Zachary Feuer has been selected for the UNC Institute for Healthcare Quality Improvement (IHQI) Improvement Scholars Program for the 2025–2026 cohort for his project, “Integration of PSA Screening Pathways to Improve High-Risk Screening Rates and Reduce Low-Value Diagnostic Evaluation.”

Dr. Hans Arora Promoted to Associate Professor of Urology (11/10/25):
UNC Urology proudly announces the promotion of Hans Arora, MD, PhD, FAAP, FACS to Associate Professor of Urology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Dr. Sherry Ross Named Associate Dean for Outreach Initiatives at the UNC School of Medicine (11/13/25):
Dr. Sherry Ross, UNC Urology’s Chief of Pediatric Urology and Associate Professor of Urology, who has been named the Associate Dean for Outreach Initiatives for the UNC School of Medicine.

View Last Year’s (2024) Professional Development News

Research

Our faculty are leading a variety of innovative and practice-changing research efforts that will help to define the standards of care in their field.

UNC Urology Partners in PCORI-Funded Study to Personalize Patient-Reported Outcomes Using Machine Learning (02/26/25):
Dr. Ray Tan and UNC Urology join a PCORI-funded study led by Dr. Andrew Krumm (University of Michigan) and Dr. Nnenaya Mmonu (NYU) to enhance personalized patient-reported outcomes using machine learning, improving recovery insights for prostate cancer patients.

UNC Urology Ranks Among Nation’s Best for NIH Research Funding (03/17/25):
UNC Urology was ranked 28th nationally and 14th among public universities in NIH research funding for 2024, according to the latest Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) report.

Supporting the Whole Survivor: Nielsen Joins NCI-Funded Collaboration to Reduce Cancer-Related Distress in Young Adults (04/18/25):
UNC Urology’s Dr. Matthew Nielsen joins a new NCI-funded project led by the University of Michigan to develop a mobile support tool that reduces distress in young adult cancer survivors.

Submissions Closing Soon for 2026 AUA Data Research Program (06/19/25):
Originally launched in June 2023, the AUA Data Research Program was created to address critical knowledge gaps and emerging research questions in urologic care, workforce development, and health policy. At the center of its inception were two leaders from UNC Urology: Dr. Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan and Dr. Matthew Nielsen.

Research Presented at SWIU by Dr. Angela Smith and Avani Desai Underscores Simple, Patient-Directed Strategies to Ease Anxiety and Pain (09/02/25):
Dr. Angela Smith and UNC Medical Student Avani Desai were recently highlighted by SWIU as authors of a published paper that illustrates the innovative research and patient-centered approach to care for which UNC Urology is renowned.

NC TraCS Program Alumni Are Researching The Patient Side Of Clinical Trials (12/19/25):
UNC physician Marc Bjurlin teamed up with his colleagues from the Clinical Trialist Training Program on a unique series of studies aimed at improving and expanding clinical trials.

View Last Year’s (2024) Research News