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. A dedicated clinician, educator, researcher, and nationally recognized health policy leader, Dr. Arora’s promotion reflects his far-reaching contributions to the department, the School of Medicine, and the broader urology community.
A Champion of Quality and Innovation
Dr. Arora serves as Co-Director of Quality Improvement for the Department of Urology and as Director of Robotic Surgery in Pediatric Urology. In these roles, he has helped formalize a department-wide framework for continuous quality improvement, advancing UNC Urology’s mission to deliver safe, efficient, and patient-centered care.
When the department launched its innovative Quality Improvement Initiative in 2023, Dr. Arora helped lead the effort to bring data-driven processes to every aspect of care delivery—from clinical workflows to residency education and research.
Advancing Care in Pediatric and Robotic Urology
Clinically, Dr. Arora specializes in pediatric urology, with a focus on robotic-assisted and minimally invasive reconstructive surgery for children with congenital and acquired urologic conditions. His work exemplifies the integration of advanced surgical innovation with compassionate, family-centered care.
Dr. Arora has also been instrumental in expanding access to pediatric urologic services across North Carolina through telemedicine, outreach, and collaboration with community hospitals—efforts that reflect his commitment to improving access and equity in pediatric surgical care.
Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship
This year, Dr. Arora was selected by the graduating resident class of 2025 as the Urology Attending of the Year—one of the department’s most respected and meaningful honors.
The award recognizes exceptional teaching, mentorship, and dedication to resident education—qualities that define Dr. Arora’s approach in the clinic, classroom, and operating room.
His educational philosophy centers on mentorship, patient-centered care, and innovation. He is deeply involved in the School of Medicine’s Academy of Educators and has completed multiple faculty development and leadership programs, including Leadership in Academic Medicine, Lean Six Sigma, and the TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer certification.
Through these efforts, Dr. Arora continues to shape how surgical education incorporates quality improvement principles and interprofessional collaboration.
Translating Research into Policy and Practice
Dr. Arora’s research portfolio spans pediatric urology, health services research, and health policy, with publications in Urology, PNAS Nexus, Frontiers in Urology, and the Journal of Pediatric Urology. His early PhD work in cancer biology and nanotechnology at Northwestern University helped develop novel nanotherapeutic approaches for drug-resistant ovarian cancer—an experience that shaped his data-driven, systems-oriented approach to modern healthcare.
Today, his scholarly focus centers on health services and outcomes research, telemedicine, and quality improvement in pediatric urology. As Co-Investigator on an NIH-funded R01 study, Dr. Arora is helping evaluate a parent-centered tool to promote shared decision-making in hypospadias care. He also co-leads a growing Pediatric Urology Research Group at UNC, mentoring residents and students in studies aimed at improving care for congenital urologic conditions.
A Voice for Physicians and Patients
Beyond his academic roles, Dr. Arora is a nationally recognized advocate for health policy and organized medicine. He currently serves as President of the Durham-Orange County Medical Society, Secretary/Treasurer and Board Member of the North Carolina Urological Association, and a member of the North Carolina Medical Society’s Nominating and Leadership Development Committee.
At the national level, Dr. Arora represents the American Urological Association (AUA) in the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates, where he serves as Chair of the AMA Urology Caucus, Treasurer of the AMA Surgical Caucus, and Board Member of the AMA’s Political Action Committee (AMPAC). He is also Chair-Elect of the AMA’s State Advocacy Committee, Chair of the AUA’s Young Urologists Committee, and Chair of the AUA’s Regulatory Workgroup, among numerous other leadership positions.
In a 2025 Urology Times feature, Dr. Arora emphasized the importance of physician advocacy at every level:
“Developing a relationship with your legislator is just as important at the state level as it is at the federal level. You’re actually more likely to get to know your legislator at the state level because it’s a much smaller scale—and that’s where real change often begins.”
Dedicated to Education, Advocacy, and Service
A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medical Scientist Training Program, Dr. Arora earned both his MD and PhD in Cancer Biology, along with a Graduate Certificate in Management for Scientists and Engineers from the Kellogg School of Management. He completed his urology residency at the Cleveland Clinic, followed by a pediatric urology fellowship at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Since joining UNC in 2021, Dr. Arora has combined his expertise in pediatric robotic surgery, quality improvement, and health policy to strengthen the department’s educational, clinical, and research missions. His promotion to Associate Professor recognizes not only his scholarly and clinical achievements but also his leadership in mentoring trainees and advocating for a stronger, more equitable healthcare system.