大象传媒 Urology is proud to share that Dr. Angela Smith, 大象传媒 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 大象传媒. 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, 大象传媒鈥檚 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.

大象传媒 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 大象传媒鈥檚 Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP). She is the first member of 大象传媒 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 大象传媒. 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 大象传媒 Urology faculty member, has been named a recipient of by the .

Dr. Feuer joins a distinguished group of 大象传媒 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 大象传媒鈥檚 cancer-focused departments and programs.

鈥淭his award reflects the incredible mentorship provided by the 大象传媒 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 大象传媒.鈥�

Zach Feuer, MD
Urologic Oncology Fellow

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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 大象传媒 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 大象传媒 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 大象传媒 Health physicians. The study is being conducted by Dr. Angela Smith in the Department of Urology at the 大象传媒.

The information we gain from this study will help us design professional coaching interventions that are sustainable and can be disseminated widely to 大象传媒 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 大象传媒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 大象传媒鈥檚 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 大象传媒 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 大象传媒 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 大象传媒 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 大象传媒 and beyond to transform survivorship care for young adults, recognizing that healing doesn鈥檛 stop when treatment ends.

At the American Urological Association鈥檚 Expert Convening on , 大象传媒 Urology鈥檚 Drs. Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan and Zach Feuer presented a powerful example of turning clinical research into meaningful patient outcomes. Their segment, titled 鈥淔rom PubMed to Practice 鈥� The North Carolina Experience,鈥� highlighted the development and impact of 大象传媒 Urology鈥檚 rapid access program, a coordinated, evidence-based care pathway designed to accelerate and improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer

Held in October 2024, the AUA convening brought together national experts in urology, radiology, and oncology to address a critical aspect of prostate cancer care: the quality and consistency of prostate MR imaging. The 大象传媒 presentation spotlighted the department鈥檚 rapid access program, a data-driven model of care that has become a benchmark for how to translate emerging evidence into real-world practice.

Reimagining the Diagnostic Pathway for Patients with Elevated PSA

As a statewide referral center, 大象传媒 Urology routinely receives a high volume of patients with elevated PSA levels, often the first signal of potential prostate cancer. Before the launch of the rapid access program, the average wait time from referral to biopsy stretched 4鈥�6 months, creating delays that were especially concerning given the documented disparities in prostate cancer incidence and outcomes.

Recognizing that timely care is essential, especially for high-risk groups, Drs. Tan and Feuer led efforts to redesign the diagnostic pathway with a focus on speed, efficiency, and equity. Working with a cross-disciplinary team, they developed a three-step model centered on initial consult, prostate MRI, and biopsy, underpinned by virtual care, centralized scheduling, and evidence-based protocols.

Precision Through Protocol

Key innovations of the program include:

• Telehealth appointments for initial consults and MRI review.
• A streamlined MRI acquisition process, including retrieval of outside MRIs.
• A standardized biopsy decision algorithm to guide next steps based on MRI findings and PSA density.

For example:

• Patients with PI-RADS 3鈥�5 lesions proceed to MRI fusion biopsy.
• PI-RADS 1鈥�2 cases are assessed further based on PSA density >0.15, Black ancestry, and patient preference.

The results have been transformative:

• Referral-to-biopsy time dropped by 70%, now averaging just 58 days.
• Using the standardized biopsy decision algorithm, prostate biopsy was avoided in nearly one-third of men referred for elevated PSA.
• Of those biopsied, 39% were diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer. In contrast, only 26% had a negative biopsy, serving as a major decrease from historical levels. These findings highlight the success of 大象传媒鈥檚 risk-adapted approach, optimizing diagnostic yield while reducing the number of low-value procedures performed.

Additionally, for men with lower-risk features (e.g., PI-RADS 3 with PSA density <0.15), the detection rate for significant cancer was under 10%, suggesting future opportunities to right-size diagnostic evaluation.

鈥淧atients are experiencing shorter wait times, but equally importantly, we鈥檙e better selecting patients for additional diagnostic testing, and we鈥檙e doing it in a way that鈥檚 efficient, evidence-based, and equitable.鈥�

Zach Feuer, MD
Urologic Oncology Fellow

听

A Model for the Nation, and the Road Ahead

The 大象传媒 experience also reveals broader patterns in prostate cancer care. In conversations with 大象传媒 primary care providers, Drs. Tan and Feuer learned that some PCPs have started preemptively ordering prostate MRIs in patients with elevated PSA levels, mirroring trends observed nationally. This underscores the urgent need for national guidance on appropriate MRI ordering and improved collaboration between urologists, radiologists, and primary care.

大象传媒 Urology鈥檚 leadership in this area is supported by its broader national collaborations. Through initiatives like the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC), where 大象传媒 was the first partner institution outside of Michigan, Dr. Tan has helped extend evidence-based prostate cancer care models nationally.

In addition, Dr. Tan serves on the Advisory Committee for the Prostate MR Image Quality Improvement Collaborative, lending his expertise to national efforts to improve prostate MRI standards.

The AUA Summit outlined several next steps that build on the 大象传媒 model and expand its principles nationally:

• Developing resources for urologists to advocate for PI-RADS and PI-QUAL reporting in radiology reports.
• Identifying and referring to high-quality MRI centers, including those with the ACR Prostate Cancer MRI Center Designation.
• Collecting PI-QUAL data to inform center performance and referral decisions.
• Educating patients on how to prepare for prostate MRI, a key step in scan quality.
• Collaborating with PCPs and family physicians to ensure evidence-based MRI use in the context of PSA elevation.
• Strategizing future efforts focused on fusion biopsy quality and standardization.

鈥淲hat we鈥檝e built here at 大象传媒 could be replicated elsewhere. The real opportunity now is to take what we鈥檝e learned and help shape broader diagnostic pathways, especially for underserved communities.鈥�

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

At the American Urological Association鈥檚 Expert Convening on , Dr. Matthew Nielsen, Chair of the 大象传媒 Department of Urology, member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Chair of the AUA鈥檚 Science and Quality Council, delivered a keynote segment titled 鈥淎dvancing Diagnostic Excellence in Prostate Cancer.鈥� His presentation built on years of cross-disciplinary leadership and role as a national thought leader in prostate cancer care improvement.

The summit, held in October 2024, focused on improving the quality and consistency of prostate MRI as a critical diagnostic tool. Dr. Nielsen鈥檚 remarks framed the conversation within a broader call for system-level change, centered on patient outcomes, equity, and collaboration across specialties.

A National Voice on Diagnostic Excellence

For Dr. Nielsen, the pursuit of diagnostic excellence is not just a clinical issue, it is a defining challenge in modern healthcare. Quoting the Journal of the American Medical Association, he emphasized that an accurate and precise diagnosis 鈥済ains clinical value insofar as it leads to better choices in treatment.鈥�

This principle underpins his work as Chair of the AUA鈥檚 Science and Quality Council, where he has helped shape the , prioritizing health equity, imaging stewardship, and the reduction of diagnostic variation. He also serves on the National Quality Forum鈥檚 (NQF) Diagnostic Excellence Committee, where he contributes to policy development and quality standards across medical specialties.

In 2023, Dr. Nielsen was named a National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Scholar in Diagnostic Excellence, one of only ten physicians selected nationally. His project focuses on integrating quality metrics into diagnostic workflows for patients with elevated PSA, a central theme echoed throughout the AUA summit and his continued work at 大象传媒.

Addressing Prostate Cancer Disparities and the PSA Screening Challenge

In his QI Summit talk, Dr. Nielsen emphasized the urgent need to improve care across the entire diagnostic continuum, from PSA screening and MRI to biopsy, surveillance, and treatment.

Central to his message was addressing racial disparities in prostate cancer diagnosis and outcomes:

• Black men are 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed, and 2.4 times more likely to die from prostate cancer compared to White men. Given the high prevalence of prostate cancer, this accounts for听
• While incidence rates dropped significantly between 2007 and 2014, they have been rising again, especially for advanced-stage disease.

Dr. Nielsen underscored the importance of patient-tailored PSA screening protocols and better utilization of high-quality prostate MRI to stratify risk and avoid both overtreatment and missed opportunities for early intervention.

Dr. Nielsen has spoken extensively on this topic, see his remarks on prostate cancer and health equity here.

A Platform for Progress: From Policy to Practice

Dr. Nielsen鈥檚 message at the AUA QI Summit emphasized that advancing diagnostic excellence requires collaboration across every stage of the prostate cancer care continuum. From PSA screening to imaging, biopsy, and treatment, each step offers an opportunity to improve quality, reduce delays, and tailor care to individual patient needs.

He underscored that MRI plays a central role in this process. When performed with high quality, prostate MRI can:

• Improve detection of cancers that require treatment,
• Avoid unnecessary biopsies and the detection of low-risk disease,
• And help stratify patients more effectively based on clinical risk.

Achieving these benefits, however, depends on consistent image quality and appropriate use, areas where variation remains a significant challenge.

Dr. Nielsen highlighted that diagnostic excellence is not just about making the right diagnosis, it鈥檚 about ensuring the process is timely, cost-effective, understandable, and clinically meaningful. This means not only improving technology and protocols, but also fostering stronger collaboration between radiologists, urologists, primary care providers, and patients.

大象传媒 Urology is proud to share that Dr. Angela Smith, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development, 听大象传媒 Urology鈥檚 Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, Professor of Urology, and member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Member, has been inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece 鈥� the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious honorary society.

Among this year鈥檚 25 new inductees, six, including Dr. Smith, represent the School of Medicine. Dr. Smith was recognized alongside the others during the Order鈥檚 Spring 2025 tapping ceremony, joining a distinguished class of faculty, students, and staff selected for their exceptional contributions to the University.

About the Order of the Golden Fleece

Founded in 1904, the Order of the Golden Fleece was created to bring together leaders from across the university to foster unity, service, and excellence. Inspired by the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, members of the Order are selected based on the highest standards of scholarship, leadership, integrity, and loyalty to the university. While its selection process remains confidential, the Order is known for recognizing those whose impact resonates across academic and extracurricular boundaries. Members include some of 大象传媒鈥檚 most respected leaders, from chancellors and deans to student advocates, faculty innovators, and public servants.

A Career that Embodies the Mission of the Order

Dr. Smith鈥檚 induction into this storied society is a testament to a career that has consistently elevated both the Department of Urology and the broader Carolina community. A 鈥淨uadruple Tar Heel,鈥� Dr. Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Medicine degrees from 大象传媒-Chapel Hill. Since joining the faculty, she has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in academic urology 鈥� known not only for her clinical expertise in urologic oncology, but also for her groundbreaking research, institutional leadership, and deep commitment to mentorship.

She is currently the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development in the 大象传媒, where she oversees strategic initiatives to support the professional growth of faculty members. She also serves as an ICF-credentialed coach and co-leads the 大象传媒 Coaching Academy, helping to develop a robust culture of leadership and support across the institution.

As a former Co-Director of , Dr. Smith has helped to lead a thriving clinical program focused on bladder, prostate, and kidney cancer. Her research has helped center the patient voice in bladder cancer care, leading to a landmark $8.5 million PCORI-funded comparative effectiveness trial that continues to influence national treatment standards.

Her contributions earned her the prestigious 2020 Philip and Ruth Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement, one of 大象传媒-Chapel Hill鈥檚 highest recognitions for early-career faculty who demonstrate groundbreaking scholarship and creativity. That same year, she was also selected as a 2020鈥�2021 Yang Family Biomedical Scholar, an honor that highlights 大象传媒鈥檚 most promising young biomedical researchers and supports their continued discovery and innovation.

Dr. Smith鈥檚 leadership extends well beyond the walls of the clinic and lab. She has served in high-profile roles within the American Urological Association and the Society of Urologic Oncology and has consistently championed academic medicine. In 2022, she became the first woman in 大象传媒 Urology to be promoted to Professor with Tenure, and, to date, she remains one of the youngest faculty in a surgical discipline at 大象传媒 to achieve that distinction. Her many accolades include the AUA鈥檚 Gold Cystoscope Award, 听the Society of Women in Urology鈥檚 Christina Manthos Mentoring Award, and the 大象传媒鈥檚 Early Career Achievement Award, reflecting both her professional excellence and the high regard of her peers.

In honoring Dr. Smith, the Order of the Golden Fleece not only recognizes a record of achievement, but it also affirms her embodiment of the University鈥檚 core values. Her career to-date reflects the 听core mission of the Order: to identify those who quietly shape the university for the better, bringing people together, leading with integrity, and committing themselves to the greater good.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Smith on this richly deserved recognition and look forward to the continued impact of her leadership across the broader Carolina community.

大象传媒 Urology鈥檚 Dr. Matthew Nielsen joined of the Cleveland Clinic on a recent episode of the to discuss the role of high-quality prostate MR imaging in advancing prostate cancer diagnosis.

The episode, titled 鈥�,鈥� brings together two national leaders in urologic and radiologic quality improvement.

Dr. Nielsen, Chair of the Department of Urology and member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center听 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Chair of the AUA鈥檚 Science and Quality Council, has been a strong advocate for elevating diagnostic standards in prostate cancer. His conversation with Dr. Purysko, Section Head of Abdominal Imaging at Cleveland Clinic and Physician Leader of the , explores how enhanced imaging standards are transforming care pathways across the country.

A Convergence of Disciplines to Improve Patient Care

The episode centers on the growing use of prostate MRI as a frontline tool for risk stratification and biopsy guidance, with a focus on how image quality directly impacts diagnostic accuracy, care decisions, and outcomes. Drs. Nielsen and Purysko reflect on the remarkable progress made since the early adoption of MRI in prostate cancer care, while also underscoring ongoing challenges with variability in image acquisition and interpretation.

Dr. Nielsen notes that collaboration across disciplines, including urology, radiology, primary care, and quality experts, is essential to address variation and drive consistency in diagnostic practice.

The two discuss technical standards such as PI-RADS (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System) and PI-QUAL (Prostate Imaging Quality), both of which serve as critical frameworks for improving how MRI is performed, interpreted, and used in clinical decision-making.

Quality Improvement with Tangible Benefits

The conversation also highlights the real-world gains being seen through quality improvement collaboratives, such as the , where participating centers have seen significant improvements in image quality and operational efficiency. Dr. Nielsen points out that better imaging doesn鈥檛 just improve diagnostic accuracy, it can also reduce scan time, increase patient throughput, and improve access.

As Chair of the AUA鈥檚 Science and Quality Council, Dr. Nielsen has been instrumental in shaping the , including initiatives aimed at improving diagnostic pathways in urology.