黑料网 Urology is pleased to announce that Dr. Kristy Borawski, Professor of Urology and Residency Program Director, has been appointed the department鈥檚 Vice Chair of Education. This new role builds on her longstanding leadership in medical education and underscores the department鈥檚 commitment to shaping the future of urologic training across all levels.

Dr. Borawski succeeds Dr. Eric Wallen in this role, following his appointment as Chair of the Department of Urology at the Medical University of South Carolina, and is now positioned to carry forward and guide the department鈥檚 educational mission across medical student education, residency training, and fellowship programs.

An Educator at Heart

Since joining 黑料网 Urology in 2010, Dr. Borawski has distinguished herself as a thoughtful and innovative educator.听 听In addition to directing the medical student rotation in urology for many years, she has served as Director of the Learning Environment for Undergraduate Medical Education, where she fosters supportive learning spaces for medical students across the 黑料网.听 Most recently in the department, she has taken up the responsibility of directing the residency program.

Her teaching excellence has been recognized with the 黑料网 Academy of Educators鈥� Craver Medical Student Teaching Award, and she was selected as a member of the inaugural Leading Transformation in Academic Medicine (LTAM) Program cohort. Dr. Borawski is known not only for her clinical acumen but for her mentorship, humility, and ability to connect meaningfully with learners at all stages of training.听 Exemplary of her leadership by example in the clinical environment, she was selected as the 黑料网 Medical Center Physician Friend of Nursing in 2022.

Strategic Vision for Education Across the Continuum

As Vice Chair of Education, Dr. Borawski will lead the department鈥檚 broader educational strategy, aligning curriculum development, academic policy, and professional development across medical student clerkships, the residency program, and fellowship offerings.

This role reflects a holistic approach to education at 黑料网 Urology, one that anticipates the evolving demands of urology practice and ensures that learners are well-prepared to meet them. From technological proficiency and research literacy to patient-centered communication and leadership development, the department鈥檚 educational programs are designed to stay ahead of the field.

A Department Invested in the Future

Dr. Borawski鈥檚 appointment reflects the department鈥檚 deep and ongoing investment in academic excellence. With her leadership, 黑料网 Urology continues to strengthen its position as a national leader in medical education, cultivating the next generation of urologists who are not only skilled clinicians but also collaborators, innovators, and mentors in their own right.

黑料网 Urology faculty continue to lead the national conversation on advancing diagnostic excellence, as highlighted in a recent AUA Spotlight article authored by Drs. Zach Feuer, Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, and Matthew Nielsen.

Published in the May 2025 issue of AUA News, the article, underscores the critical role of MRI quality in modern prostate cancer care, and how 黑料网鈥檚 model is helping chart the course forward.

Elevating MRI Quality to Improve Outcomes

At the heart of the article is the insight that multiparametric MRI has revolutionized how clinicians stratify prostate cancer risk and guide biopsy decisions. But with its growing adoption has come a sobering reality: not all MRI scans are created equal.

The brought together national experts in urology and radiology to confront this challenge. 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 contributions were front and center, detailing institutional efforts to integrate high-quality imaging into a precision diagnostic workflow, ensuring that MRI is not only used but used well.

Drs. Feuer, Tan, and Nielsen highlighted key barriers in the field: inconsistent MRI image quality, variable radiologist experience, and a lack of standardization in interpretation and biopsy technique. They emphasized that overcoming these gaps requires a coordinated, quality-focused strategy, one that 黑料网 has been actively developing and refining.

A Model for MRI Integration in Clinical Practice

黑料网鈥檚 institutional experience serves as a case study in the article, showcasing the department鈥檚 structured approach to prostate cancer diagnosis. All eligible men at 黑料网 undergo a confirmatory PSA and pre-biopsy MRI with progression to biopsy determined by findings (PI-RADS 鈮�3) or high-risk features such as Black race or family history.

This approach has produced meaningful results:

• Nearly 50% reduction in unnecessary biopsies
• Increased detection of clinically significant cancers
• Streamlined access and improved patient experience

These outcomes echo earlier findings shared by Drs. Tan and Feuer at the AUA鈥檚 2024 Expert Convening, where they presented 黑料网鈥檚 rapid access program. That three-step diagnostic model, initial consult, MRI, and targeted biopsy, led to the avoidance of biopsy in nearly one-third of men with elevated PSA. Meanwhile, efforts to enhance access to care reduced referral-to-biopsy time by 70%.

Setting the National Agenda: From 黑料网 to the AUA

The article also underscores the leadership role that 黑料网 faculty play in shaping national standards. Dr. Nielsen, Chair of the AUA鈥檚 Science and Quality Council, has been instrumental in efforts to elevate MRI quality nationwide. The piece highlights collaborative initiatives like the ACR鈥檚 Prostate MR Image Quality Improvement Collaborative and the adoption of PI-QUAL scoring, which help ensure imaging meets rigorous, reproducible standards.

Further, 黑料网鈥檚 engagement with the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) and other national partners reflects a commitment to exporting best practices and closing diagnostic gaps in real-world settings.

Looking Ahead: Technology, Training, and Parity

As Dr. Nielsen noted in a related Inside Tract podcast:

鈥淗igh-quality imaging means better decisions, fewer unnecessary biopsies, and more timely access to the care that matters most.鈥�

More About the Authors

Dr. Nielsen is the Chair and Professor of Urology and member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center听at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Nielsen is also the Chair of the AUA鈥檚 Science and Quality Council.

Dr. Tan is the Division Chief of Urologic Oncology, Urologic Oncology Fellowship Program Director, Associate Professor of Urology, and member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center听at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 听Dr. Tan is also the Chair for AUA鈥檚 Data Committee, a committee of the Science and Quality Council.

Dr. Zachary Feuer is currently a Urologic Oncology Fellow and incoming Assistant Professor with 黑料网 Urology.

For many testicular cancer survivors, completing treatment marks not just the end of a difficult chapter, but the beginning of a new and uncertain journey. At the 黑料网 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, that journey is met with expert guidance, compassion, and long-term care, thanks in large part to , co-led by 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 Dr. Ray Tan and nurse practitioner Mary Dunn, MSN, NP-C, OCN, RN.

Recently featured in the May edition of the 黑料网 Lineberger Lineup newsletter, , offering a model of survivorship care that blends personalized medicine, patient-centered support, and research-backed best practices.

A Clinic with Purpose

The Testicular Cancer Survivorship Clinic was founded in 2008 as part of the , which was launched through a $1.5 million grant aimed at creating robust support services for cancer survivors. For testicular cancer, which predominantly affects men in their 20s to 40s, this clinic provides a vital space to address the lingering physical, emotional, and social effects of treatment.

Dr. Hung-Jui 鈥淩ay鈥� Tan, Associate Professor of Urology and Co-Director of the , is one of the clinic鈥檚 key clinical leaders. With expertise in health information technology and patient-centered decision-making, Dr. Tan brings a research-driven and empathetic lens to the survivorship space.

鈥淥ften, our focus is on achieving a cure. But because testicular cancer survivors typically live long, full lives after treatment, it鈥檚 imperative we also focus on the long-term impacts and quality of that survivorship鈥�

Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM
Director of Urologic Oncology
Urologic Oncology Fellowship Program Director
Associate Professor of Urology

听

Personalized, Structured Follow-Up

Each visit to the clinic includes a comprehensive set of services: physical exams, tumor marker labs and imaging, review of treatment-related side effects, and tailored recommendations for healthy living. Patients receive a detailed Survivorship Care Plan and Treatment Summary, outlining everything from their oncology follow-up schedule to health maintenance needs and available support resources.

Mary Dunn, who has led the clinic for over a decade, emphasized the importance of relationship continuity and proactive management.

鈥淭he transition period between treatment and surveillance is crucial. We walk this road with our patients and help them navigate everything from lingering fatigue and sexual health concerns to career and family planning.鈥�

Mary Dunn, MSN, NP-C, OCN, RN

听

Beyond the Diagnosis

Survivorship at 黑料网 goes beyond just monitoring lab values or imaging results. Both Dr. Tan and Dunn are committed to holistic support, helping patients celebrate milestones and reclaim their identities after cancer.

鈥淲e remind patients they are so much more than their diagnosis. It鈥檚 a privilege to do this work.鈥� 鈥� Mary Dunn, MSN, NP-C, OCN, RN

Dr. Tan also underscored the importance of early detection and speaking openly about health concerns, especially in an area of the body that can sometimes feel stigmatized.

鈥淚n many cases, men knew something was wrong but delayed seeking care. One of our biggest messages is: don鈥檛 wait. Get it checked.鈥� 鈥� Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM

A Model for Meaningful Survivorship Care

As survivorship becomes a more recognized and essential component of comprehensive cancer care, 黑料网 Urology and the Testicular Cancer Survivorship Clinic stand in, helping to shape what that care should look like 鈥� proactive, personal, and deeply attuned to the needs of young adult survivors.

For more information or to refer a patient to the clinic, contact the 黑料网 Lineberger Cancer Center at (984) 974-0000.

In a March 2025 AUA Spotlight article, 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 Drs. David Friedlander and Matthew Nielsen bring national attention to how diagnostic excellence can help reduce disparities and improve prostate cancer care for all patients. , particularly for Black men who face elevated risks for aggressive prostate cancer.

Beyond Accuracy: A Broader Definition of Excellence

As defined in the article, diagnostic excellence is more than achieving the 鈥渞ight鈥� diagnosis. It is a process that must be timely, patient-centered, cost-effective, and fair 鈥� principles grounded in the National Academy of Medicine鈥檚 vision for a high-performing health care system.

The authors emphasize that these principles are particularly crucial in urology, where early and accurate diagnosis directly impacts treatment decisions and long-term outcomes. They cite the stark reality: while Black men represent 13% of the U.S. population, they account for 30% of prostate cancer deaths yet comprise less than 1% of participants in prostate cancer screening trials.

National Initiative with Local Impact

(Click to download the brochure)

The article showcases a national initiative funded by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the John A. Hartford Foundation.

As part of this effort, the AUA developed:

• Clinical decision tools for primary care providers (PCPs), based on the 2023 updated guideline on early detection.
• Infographics illustrating disparities and benefits of risk-adjusted screening.
• Patient-facing materials designed to support informed decision-making and shared conversations between patients and clinicians.

These tools, developed in part through the leadership of Drs. Friedlander and Nielsen, are now being disseminated across urology and primary care networks to guide implementation at scale.

黑料网鈥檚 Leadership in Fair, High-Quality Care

Dr. Nielsen, who chairs both the 黑料网 Department of Urology and the AUA鈥檚 Science and Quality Council, has been a consistent advocate for addressing diagnostic gaps. At the , he delivered a keynote focused on improving diagnostic pathways from PSA screening through biopsy and surveillance, especially for high-risk populations.

黑料网鈥檚 own rapid access program, developed by Drs. Tan and Feuer, exemplifies how risk-adapted approaches can improve timeliness while maintaining diagnostic precision. Since its implementation, the pathway has reduced wait times by 70% and helped avoid unnecessary biopsies, while ensuring clinically significant cancers are not missed.

As Dr. Friedlander noted in a recent podcast with Dr. Nielsen:

鈥淒iagnostic excellence is about optimizing patient experience and outcomes, but it also has a practical component鈥e鈥檙e contributing to the delivery of value-based care that balances quality and cost.鈥�

A Roadmap for Change

The concludes with a call to action: adopt diagnostic excellence as both a clinical imperative and a means of improving fairness in care delivery. It frames the AUA鈥檚 efforts not just as a resource for urologists, but as a replicable template for other specialties aiming to enhance diagnosis and reduce disparities in outcomes.

黑料网 Urology is proud to share that Dr. Angela Smith, 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, Professor of Urology, and member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Member, has been named Interim Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development for the 黑料网. She will assume the role on June 1, 2025, following the retirement of Dr. Stephen Bogdewic, who has led the office since 2022.

Dr. Smith鈥檚 appointment marks a significant milestone in a career defined by leadership, service, and impact. Since January 2023, she has served as Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development, where she has shaped innovative programs and policies aimed at improving career development, faculty vitality, and leadership culture across the School of Medicine. Her forward-thinking approach has positioned her as a trusted resource for faculty, staff, and institutional leaders committed to fostering professional growth and academic excellence.

Throughout her career, Dr. Smith has been recognized with some of the University鈥檚 highest honors, including the Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement, the Yang Family Biomedical Scholars Award, and, most recently, induction into the Order of the Golden Fleece, 黑料网鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious honorary society. Nationally, she is also a recipient of the AUA Gold Cystoscope Award and the Christina Manthos Mentoring Award from the Society of Women in Urology.

As she steps into this interim leadership position, Dr. Smith brings a deep understanding of the institutional landscape and a passion for building supportive academic environments. Her vision and dedication will be vital in shaping the next era of faculty development and leadership at the School of Medicine.

黑料网 Urology is proud to announce that Dr. Kathryn Hacker Gessner, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology and Member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been selected for the 黑料网鈥檚 Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP). She is the first member of 黑料网 Urology to receive this honor since the program鈥檚 inception in 2020.

Established to support the development of promising physician-scientists at a pivotal point in their academic careers, the PSTP is a cornerstone initiative of the School of Medicine鈥檚 Accelerate Forward Together Strategic Plan. It offers two years of funding, robust mentorship, and career development programming to help early-career physician-scientists transition successfully into independent research roles. Dr. Gessner joins a multidisciplinary cohort of scholars from across the institution, selected for their outstanding research potential and clinical excellence.

Advancing Translational Research in Bladder and Kidney Cancer

Dr. Gessner specializes in the care of patients with genitourinary cancers and leads a translational research lab focused on improving cancer outcomes through precision medicine. Her work integrates clinical care with cutting-edge research, leveraging genomic analysis to better understand the molecular changes within bladder and kidney tumors, and the surrounding tumor microenvironment, that drive disease progression and treatment resistance.

By uncovering how these genetic alterations influence tumor behavior, Dr. Gessner鈥檚 research aims to inform more personalized, effective treatment decisions that align with each patient鈥檚 clinical needs and personal goals. Her long-term objective is to translate these insights into new therapeutic strategies that enhance treatment response and improve the lives of patients facing urologic cancers.

More About Dr. Gessner

A proud Tar Heel through and through, Dr. Gessner completed her MD, PhD, Urology Residency, and Urologic Oncology Fellowship at 黑料网. She has already received national recognition for her research, including the 2023 BCAN Young Investigator Award, the Tomasello Family Women Who Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award from the Conquer Cancer Foundation, and the 2024 ASCI Emerging-Generation Award. She has been a consistent contributor to the national conversation in urologic oncology, presenting at leading conferences and publishing across multiple domains in bladder and kidney cancer research.

Dr. Gessner鈥檚 selection to the PSTP underscores both her exceptional promise as a physician-scientist and commitment to translational research that improves patient outcomes.

We are proud to announce that Dr. Zachary Feuer, Urologic Oncology Fellow and incoming 黑料网 Urology faculty member, has been named a recipient of by the .

Dr. Feuer joins a distinguished group of 黑料网 Urology trainees and alumni recognized with this honor, including faculty members Angela Smith, MD, MS (2012), David Johnson, MD, MPH (2014), Kathryn Hacker Gessner, MD, PhD (2023), and recent awardees Pauline Filippou, MD (2019), and Ibardo Zambrano, MD, MS (2022).

Supported by the , the award honors emerging physician-scientists in training for their excellence in cancer research and clinical care. Recipients are selected through a competitive nomination process involving leadership from across 黑料网鈥檚 cancer-focused departments and programs.

鈥淭his award reflects the incredible mentorship provided by the 黑料网 Urology faculty, and strong collaboration between Urology, Radiology, and Primary Care. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to improving prostate cancer care for North Carolinians. I look forward to continuing this work as a faculty member at 黑料网.鈥�

Zach Feuer, MD
Urologic Oncology Fellow

听

About Dr. Feuer鈥檚 Research

Dr. Feuer was recognized for his outstanding leadership of the GU rapid access program, an innovative, system-level initiative designed to reduce delays in prostate cancer diagnosis for patients with elevated PSA levels. What was once a months-long process from referral to biopsy has now been streamlined to just weeks.

Under Dr. Feuer鈥檚 direction, the team:

• Developed a dedicated telehealth clinic and hired a Nurse Coordinator to manage intake and patient communication.
• Optimized prostate MRI access through collaboration with Radiology.
• Led clinic efficiency analyses with NC State industrial engineering students to reduce delays and cancellations.
• Designed and implemented a clinical decision-making algorithm for biopsy eligibility.
• Created a PSA screening pathway now under consideration for broader primary care integration.

These efforts have produced dramatic results:

• 70% reduction in time from referral to biopsy
• 50% fewer unnecessary biopsies
• 80% cancer detection rate among men undergoing biopsy

The program has garnered national attention, including 听being featured at the AUA鈥檚 2024 Diagnostic Excellence Summit.

Dr. Feuer鈥檚 additional research has focused on health equity and harm reduction in urologic oncology. He has:

• Used the local MRI-targeted biopsy database to propose a lower PSA density threshold for Black men鈥攚ork awarded Best Poster at the 2024 AUA Annual Meeting.
• Shown that geographic distance contributes to delays in care, a gap addressed by the Rapid Access telehealth model.
• Investigated the relationship between e-cigarette use and bladder cancer, with findings selected for podium presentation at the 2025 AUA Annual Meeting.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Feuer will complete his Urologic Oncology Fellowship in July of this year and join the 黑料网 Urology faculty shortly thereafter. His continued commitment to innovation, equity, and diagnostic excellence will be a vital asset to the department and to patients across North Carolina.

In the piece, Dr. Arora emphasized the growing importance of state-level engagement in shaping urologic care and health policy. While national issues like Medicare reform and surgical workforce shortages dominate the conversation, he noted that much of healthcare policy is decided closer to home.

During the Summit, Dr. Arora delivered a presentation highlighting the variation in urologic advocacy across states and practical steps for physicians to become more involved. From working through medical societies to attending advocacy days and leveraging resources from the AUA, such as the State Advocacy Toolkit and 鈥淕rasstops鈥� Champions Program, his message was clear: meaningful change starts with showing up.

This recognition follows Dr. Arora鈥檚 recent interview with UroToday, where he spoke about advancing urology鈥檚 national agenda through the AMA House of Delegates. His continued leadership across both national and state platforms reflects 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 commitment to health policy engagement that improves care for all patients.

As advocacy becomes an increasingly vital part of modern medicine, Dr. Arora鈥檚 work exemplifies how urologists can provide leadership that brings about positive change, not only in the OR, but also in the legislature.

We are reaching out to the community with an opportunity to participate in a research study about a small group professional coaching intervention to decrease burnout and improve well-being among 黑料网 Health physicians. The study is being conducted by Dr. Angela Smith in the Department of Urology at the 黑料网.

The information we gain from this study will help us design professional coaching interventions that are sustainable and can be disseminated widely to 黑料网 Health physicians.

Eligibility criteria include:

• Age 鈮� 18 years old
• Fluent in English
• Employed as a full-time (鈮�80% FTE) attending physician at a 黑料网H facility
• Active medical license
• Board eligible or board certified in your specialty

Participating in the study will include the following:

• Certified coaches will conduct confidential, small group (n=4) coaching sessions with study participants over 黑料网鈥檚 Zoom platform every 2 weeks for 3 months (6 sessions total).
  • Each session will last approximately 60鈥�75 minutes and will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time for the group鈥檚 members.
  • The initial session will focus on reflection, goal setting and identification of potential strategies. Subsequent sessions will address progress in goal setting and action planning and commitment statements.
  • Topics for discussion will be based on the group鈥檚 interests and needs.
• Participants will be asked to complete confidential surveys at baseline, and at 3 months and 6 months respectively.
• There will also be a brief semi-structured interview at the end of the study to evaluate acceptability and feasibility of the intervention.
• The total time commitment will be approximately 9 hours.

Participants will receive coaching at no charge and will also receive a $50 gift card for completion of each of the surveys and semi-structured interview.

If you are interested in participating in the study, please click on the link below and complete the survey to determine if you are eligible.

This study has been reviewed by the 黑料网 IRB, IRB# 24-1079.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Dr. Smith at the contact information below. We will be happy to schedule a time to talk.

Angela Smith, MD, MS, ACC
angela_smith@med.unc.edu

For questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, please contact the Institutional Review Board at 919-966-3113 or by email to IRB_subjects@unc.edu.

The Department of Urology is proud to share that Dr. Matthew Nielsen, Rhodes Distinguished Professor and Chair, and 黑料网 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Member, has joined a multi-institutional, NCI-funded effort to address a critical gap in cancer survivorship: the emotional and psychological burden faced by young adult cancer survivors.

Led by , Professor of Medicine at the University of Michigan and a nationally recognized expert in thyroid cancer care and outcomes research, the project, , received a $290K grant听 from the National Cancer Institute to design and preliminarily test a mobile-based intervention aimed at reducing worry and distress among young adult survivors of thyroid, melanoma, and testicular cancers.

Dr. Haymart and Dr. Nielsen first crossed paths as medical students and later as residents at Johns Hopkins, and their shared interest in optimizing cancer care delivery has brought them together again in this novel, patient-centered initiative.

鈥淭his work is about supporting the whole person, beyond treatment, beyond remission. Young adults face unique challenges during survivorship, and we have an opportunity here to help them manage distress and uncertainty in ways that are scalable, accessible, and grounded in their lived experience.鈥�

Matthew Nielsen, MD, MS, FACS
Professor and Chair of Urology

听

The PerCS-YA tool is being designed for broad mobile access across iOS and Android platforms and will offer tailored, ongoing psychosocial support to young adult survivors navigating life after cancer. With stakeholder engagement at every stage, the project will refine the tool and conduct a phase II efficacy trial, drawing participants from both population-based and online recruitment sources. The long-term vision includes a large-scale randomized controlled trial that could help set a new standard in digital survivorship care.

This initiative aligns closely with 黑料网 Urology鈥檚 broader commitment to survivorship and digital health innovation. In 2024, Dr. Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, Associate Professor of Urology and Co-Director of the Lineberger Urologic Oncology Program, was part of a team that was awarded a $1.5 million Department of Defense grant to develop a virtual support platform specifically for testicular cancer survivors. Like PerCS-YA, that work focuses on improving quality of life and reducing long-term burden through technology-enabled, patient-informed support strategies.

Together, these efforts reflect a growing momentum at 黑料网 and beyond to transform survivorship care for young adults, recognizing that healing doesn鈥檛 stop when treatment ends.