Angela B. Smith, MD, MS, FACS, Associate Professor of Urology, has been named Director of Urologic Oncology in the UNC Department of Urology. In her new role, she joins Matthew Milowsky, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Ronald Chen, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, as Co-Director of the Multidisciplinary Genitourinary Oncology Service at the N.C. Cancer Hospital.
“Across the board—from exceptional patient care, innovative research, and mentoring the next generation, Dr. Smith is a dynamic and internationally recognized leader in our field,” said Dr. Matthew Nielsen, Associate Professor and Director of Urologic Oncology since 2013.
“We are grateful for Dr. Nielsen’s leadership of our oncology efforts for the past five years and I share his enthusiasm for Dr. Smith’s ascent to this role and the contributions she is certain to provide,” said Dr. Raj Pruthi, Professor and Chair of the UNC Department of Urology.
Alongside her busy clinical practice, Dr. Smith has an extensive research program that focuses on patient-centered outcomes in bladder cancer – outcomes that matter the most to patients and their families. With over 100 manuscripts and book chapters, Dr. Smith is an international thought leader, using this experience to advance the care of patients with genitourinary malignancies. Her work is supported by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award, which engages bladder cancer patients in the research process, and an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality grant that integrates patient-reported outcomes into post-cystectomy care through mobile health technology. Most recently, she is co-Principal Investigator on a multi-million dollar PCORI award to study BCG refractory bladder cancer.
In addition to her own work, Dr. Smith has a strong track record of mentoring junior investigators at UNC and has served as the Director of Resident and Student Research for the department since 2013.
“Mentoring junior investigators is an important part of my role as Director,” said Smith who will be among one the first female Directors of Urologic Oncology in the nation.
“I am incredibly honored to succeed Dr. Nielsen as Director of Urologic Oncology and hope to build on his remarkable success, both as a mentor and leader. As Director of an outstanding and collegial team, I intend to continue to leverage the experience of our colleagues in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and other affiliated disciplines to provide our patients with the full spectrum of treatment options. I look forward to working alongside Drs. Milowsky and Chen to identify new opportunities to better serve our patients of North Carolina and their families.”
Angela Smith, MD, MS, FACS
Smith completed her medical school training at the University of North Carolina where she also completed her residency training. In 2012, she was appointed an Assistant Professor of Urologic Surgery at UNC, and promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2018. Nationally, she has served on the PCORI Advisory Panel for the Assessment of Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment Options, representing clinicians; and Board of Directors for the Surgical Outcomes Club. She also currently serves on the American Urological Association Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee, Urology Care Foundation Bladder Health Committee as chair-elect, Scientific Advisory Board for the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Journal of Urology Editorial Board, and is the Assistant Secretary for the American Urological Association.