Bjurlin Archives | Department of Urology

As colleagues gather in Washington this spring, attendees moving from session to session will encounter a consistent presence from UNC Urology. Their participation across the 2026 AUA Annual Meeting reflects the ongoing work taking place within our department – work that spans clinical care, research, and education and connects UNC Urology to the broader national community of physicians and scientists advancing the field.

From Clinical Trials to Clinical Practice – Expanding Bladder Cancer Treatment Options at UNC Urology

UNC Urology continues to expand treatment options for patients with bladder cancer by offering several newly FDA-approved therapies—many of which were previously available through clinical trials conducted at UNC.

We are pleased to share that Dr. Marc Bjurlin has been named to the 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctors list for the first time.

The Department of Urology at the UNC School of Medicine has been designated an official Single-Port (SP) Robotic Surgery Case Observation Site, placing UNC among fewer than 20 programs nationwide to receive this distinction from Intuitive.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UNC Urology is proud to recognize Dr. Marc Bjurlin for his contributions as an invited speaker at the 11th Symposium of the Oncological Urology Section of the Polish Urological Society held in Warsaw, Poland.

Congratulations to Heather Schultz, NP, FAUNA, Marc Bjurlin, DO, MSc, FACOS, and Dr. Matthew Nielsen, MD, MS, FACS for receiving the UNC Health 2024 "Award for Carolina Excellence”

A multi-center Phase 3 clinical trial named “QUILT” is exploring a potential new treatment that involves administering BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) combined with an experimental drug known as N-803 (Nogapendekin alfa inbakicept), with the goal of providing a synergistic therapeutic effect to some Bladder Cancer patients.

UNC Urology Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Trials, Dr. Marc Bjurlin, spoke on a recent ABC11 Eyewitness News segment addressing Prostate Cancer Awareness. The segment, led by Bianca Holman, sheds light on the heightened risk for prostate cancer faced by black men.

Tag: Bjurlin

A Broad Presence on the National Stage: UNC Urology at AUA 2026

Ahead of the Curve: From Clinical Trials to Clinical Practice – Expanding Bladder Cancer Treatment Options at UNC Urology

Dr. Marc Bjurlin Recognized as 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor

UNC Urology Receives Prestigious Designation as a National “Single-Port Robotic Surgery Observation Site”

NC TraCS Program Alumni Are Researching The Patient Side Of Clinical Trials

Dr. Marc Bjurlin Spotlights Connection Between Smoking and Bladder Cancer on BCAN Podcast

Dr. Marc Bjurlin Appointed Vice Chair of Research for UNC Urology

State-of-the-Art Robotic Surgery Techniques Minimize Urinary Complications For Men Undergoing Prostatectomy (Removal of Prostate)

Bjurlin Shares Expertise with the Oncological Urology Section of the Polish Urological Society in Warsaw, Poland

Bjurlin, Nielsen and Schultz Receive 2024 “Award for Carolina Care Excellence”

UNC Urology Participates in Cutting Edge Clinical Trial of Potential New “Combination Therapy” for Bladder Cancer

UNC Urology’s Dr. Marc Bjurlin Spotlights Prostate Cancer on ABC11 Eyewitness News