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.


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, neuroblastomaDr. 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