In the BJUI paper, “Feasibility and outcomes of interventions to reduce cystoscopy discomfort,” investigators gained valuable insights showing that patients who elected to receive added interventions such as listening to music on headphones or real-time visualization experienced less discomfort and anxiety during cystoscopies.
an evening #SWIUscholars 📚🌙: board member @angiesmith_uro and @_avanidesai found that office cystoscopy can be made more comfortable for patients by offering music 🎶or visualization 👀!https://t.co/G5BpQQQjcI@BJUIjournal @UNCurology
— SWIU (@SWIUorg) August 15, 2025
A Tradition of National Thought Leadership Among UNC Urology Faculty Focused on Education, Research and Excellence in Patient Care
Dr. Angela Smith, UNC Urology Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, is widely recognized as a leading urology expert and thought leader. Among her many professional roles, she serves as a Board Member and President Elect of the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU), and is chair for the organization’s upcoming annual meeting. In addition to being an expert presenter at numerous national scientific meetings and a widely recognized published researcher, Dr. Smith has received many professional awards and recognition. A few of which include the AUA Gold Cystoscope award, the Christina Manthos Mentoring Award from SWIU, and being inducted into UNC’s most prestigious honor society, the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Avani Desai, a UNC MD candidate (Class of 2026), has been featured in several published articles, with a focus on addressing key issues related to patient care and medical education.
UNC Urology is Proud of the Ongoing Achievements of its Team Members’ Many Achievements
Examples include:
- Kristy Borawski, Katherine Chan, Sherry Ross, Angela Smith, and Mary Beth Westerman were among the recipients of the recent 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctors listing. In addition, Drs. Borawski, Ross and Smith were also honored as “Exceptional Women in Medicine.”
- Mary Beth Westerman played a leadership role with the recent 2025 AUA Guidelines Amendment on Microhematuria.
- UNC Urology NP Mary Dunn plays a vital role in helping lead the Testicular Cancer Survivorship Clinic at UNC. She is also a nationally recognized speaker and award recipient in topics such as bladder cancer, and has served in positions with the AUA and BCAN, in addition to being a leader and advocate among Urology APPs.
- Kristy Borawski, who has received numerous awards and is widely recognized as a leader in medical education, was recently selected as UNC Urology’s new Residency Program Director.
- Kathryn Gessner has been honored with being selected for the UNC Physician Scientist Training Program, in addition to having received many other awards and recognition such as the 2023 BCAN Young Investigator Award, the ASCI Emerging Generation Award, and the Tomasello “Women Who Conquer Cancer Young Investigator” award.
- Brooke Spratte, a 4th year resident, recently received the Urology Department’s “Excellence in Research” award. She previously received recognition for excellence and dedication in “Teaching as a Resident” within the department.
We are proud to recognize and celebrate these – and the many achievements of all of our leading clinicians – who are helping to shape the future of urologic care.