News and Events
UCLA Urology in the News
The UCLA Department of Urology provides cutting-edge diagnosis and treatments and supports a staff of renowned physicians, surgeons, and researchers. Demonstrating continued excellence in the field of Urology, the UCLA Department of Urology along with its varied Centers of Excellence, is often the subject of stories in newspapers, magazines, and journals. The Department also frequently issues news releases to keep the community informed on the latest developments in urology, the treatments available at UCLA, and various milestones within the Department. We include here a collection of recent stories, and an archive of older articles, for your further information.
April 11, 2024
Dr. Matthew Rettig recognized by VA - Dr. Matthew Rettig, professor of urology and medical director of the prostate cancer program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has received the John B. Barnwell Award from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Clinical Science Research and Development for his significant contributions to prostate cancer research and clinical practice. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
Additional Coverage: UCLA Health News
March 27, 2024
SIR 2024: Study finds ultrasound ablation to be a precise, effective treatment for prostate cancer - Coverage of study led by Dr. Steven Raman, professor of radiology, urology and surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member, UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at Health Imagine News.
Additional Coverage: Yahoo! News, Newsmax, MedicineNet, Health Day, United Press International, eCancer, Easy Health Options
March 25, 2024
AACR: Progress treating pancreatic cancer, immunotherapy for head and neck cancers, potential biomarker for aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas and more – Dr. Tanya Stoyanova, associate professor of molecular and medical pharmacology and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and a team of researchers, identified a protein called UCHL1 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas and a childhood cancer, neuroblastoma. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
March 2024
Kidney Stones - Interview with Dr. Kymora Scotland, assistant professor of urology, director of endourology research and associate director of Endourology Fellowship Program at UCLA Health, on Doctor Radio.
March 18, 2024
Attacking metastatic prostate cancer early with combination treatment approach improves outcomes in preliminary study - Dr. Robert Reiter, professor of urologic oncology, chief of the division of urologic oncology, and director of UCLA's prostate cancer program, and Matthew Rettig, professor of urology and medicine (Hematology/Oncology), medical director, UCLA's prostate cancer program of the institute of urologic oncology, are study authors on a novel treatment approach combines potent hormone therapy with metastasis-directed stereotactic body radiation therapy to treat metastatic prostate cancer. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
March 11, 2024
Sitting down to pee has an unexpected effect on men’s health – Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the Men’s Clinic at UCLA, provides expert commentary to HealthDigest.
March 7, 2024
Unfold AI demonstrates utility for prostate cancer treatment planning in real-world case – Dr. Wayne Brisbane, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Urology Times.
March 4, 2024
Telehealth, access to health care top the agenda as UCLA Health doctors, medical students travel to D.C. – Dr. Juan Andino, assistant clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, joined medical students for the 7th Annual Urology Advocacy Summit. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
March 3, 2024
In Focus: Dr. Jeffrey Veale on performing the first retroactive stem cell transplant – Dr. Jeffrey Veale, kidney transplant surgeon and director of the UCLA Kidney Transplantation Exchange Program at UCLA Health, is featured on CBS News and affiliates.
Additional Coverage: CBS News and Stations: In Focus
March 2024
IMPACT receives Cultural North Star Award - The Improving Access Counseling and Treatment for Californians with Prostate Cancer (IMPACT) program has received the Cultural North Star Award, which recognizes the collaborative teamwork that serves as the cornerstone of the environment at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA as well as the mission of the Cultural North Star initiative. Learn more about the Cultural North Star Awards.
February 28, 2024
Bike Vessel film – Dr. Stanley Frencher, associate clinical professor of urology at David Geffen School of Medicine, director of urology and chair of perioperative services departments at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, is featured in Bike Vessel, a film by Eric D. Seals that documents the health journey of Eric’s father as they engage in a father-son cycling expedition across the country and along the way they discuss health challenges that impact the Black community and what is needed to achieve better physical and mental wellness. Learn more at Bike Vessel.
February 16, 2024
Think organ donation makes you weaker? Donors climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to prove otherwise - Dr. Albin Gritsch, kidney transplant specialist, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with a group of living organ donors to demonstrate that you can still be active and adventurous after donating an organ. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
February 14, 2024
Semen has its own microbiome – and it might influence fertility - Continued coverage of study led by Dr. Vasim Osadchiy, resident in the Department of Urology at UCLA Health, on Scientific American.
February 12, 2024
Novel drug boosts responses to BCG bladder cancer treatment - Dr. Karim Chamie, urologist at UCLA Health and associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Cure.
February 8, 2024
Experts develop guidelines for prostate cancer screening in Black men – Dr. Isla P. Garraway, Professor and Director of Research in Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, provides expert commentary to the Urology Times.
Additional Coverage: Healio, UCLA Health Newsroom
February 4, 2024
How AI is quietly changing everyday life – Dr. Wayne Brisbane, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Politico.
February 1, 2024
Terpenes and CBD may reduce inflammation and fight viruses such as COVID-19 and the flu – Dr. Richard Boxer, clinical professor of UCLA urology, in collaboration with scientists in Israel, has found that the combination of terpenes, an organic compound found in cannabis and other plants, and cannabidiol (CBD) acted as an effective barrier in preventing cells from infection from both the coronavirus and influenza A virus in cells. Learn more on the UCLA Health Newsroom.
February 1, 2024
Potential biomarker found for neuroendocrine tumors, neuroblastoma – Dr. Tanya Stoyanova, associate professor of molecular and medical pharmacology and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, provides expert commentary to the Cure.
Additional Coverage: ASCO Post, eCancer, Medical Xpress, UCLA Health Newsroom
January 30, 2024
Leaders of Influence: Top LA Doctors 2024 - Features Dr. Mark S. Litwin, professor and chair of the department of urology at UCLA Health; and Dr. Amy Weimer, pediatrician, internal medicine physician, and founder of the UCLA Gender Health Program at UCLA Health.
Reference Articles: Dr. Mark Litwin's Article & Dr. Amy Weimer's Article
January 26, 2024
A glistening example of hope - Story about Kelly Seidenkranz, who received care for spontaneous coronary artery dissection from Dr. James Lee, interventional cardiologist and associate clinical professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine, and Dr. Jeffrey Veale, kidney transplant surgeon, clinical professor of urology and director of the UCLA Kidney Transplantation Exchange Program at UCLA Health. Learn more at The Signal.
Jan 22, 2024
Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends PSA screening as early as age 40 for black men – Dr. Isla Garraway, associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and member of the Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, provides expert commentary to ASCO Daily News.
Jan 20, 2024
How I rebuilt my family after a devastating spinal cord injury – Anthony Purcell, a patient of Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA, speaks on his recovery and treatment from a spinal cord injury to Your Tango.
Jan 19, 2024
PSMA PET and RLT 2024: clinical impact of PSMA PET prior to prostatectomy - Dr. Robert Reiter, professor of urologic oncology, chief of the division of urologic oncology, and director of UCLA's prostate cancer program, provides expert commentary to URO Today.
January 19, 2024
Male fertility potentially affected by semen microbiome health – Dr. Vadim Osadchiy, resident in the department of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has led a study on the influence of semen microbiome. Coverage of the study is available at Mirage News.
Additional coverage: Jaun News, News-Medical, Tech & Science Post, Scienmag, United Press International, UCLA Health Newsroom
January 12, 2024
UCLA researchers receive $3 million grant from NCI to develop AI-based tools to detect aggressive prostate cancer – Dr. Paul Boutros, professor of human genetics and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Dr. Leonard Marks, professor and deKernion Endowed Chair in Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center's Cancer Molecular Imaging, Nanotechnology and Theranostics Program, are a part of a team of researchers working with AI to detect and predict aggressive prostate cancer. Learn more at Applied Radiology.
Additional Coverage: UCLA Health Newsroom, News-Medical
January 4, 2024
Study analyzes hospital system capacity burden amid the COVID-19 pandemic – Dr. Richard Boxer, clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has led a new study that analyzes hospital system capacity burden amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
January 2, 2024
How being a member of the President's National Cancer Advisory Board is contributing to high-quality oncology care - Dr. Richard Boxer, clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to The ASCO Post.