‘Many patients now fly to Syracuse not only from Buffalo and New York City, but from all over the United States and abroad to be treated by Upstate Urology doctors’
By Gennady Bratslavsky, M.D
In 2010, I received a strange phone call from the dean of Upstate Medical University to interview for the chair position in the department of urology. It certainly sounded as a huge appeal to be considered for such a leadership position at the age of 37. There was nothing more impressive that I could do to make my parents proud because I sensed an opportunity to become the youngest chairman of a urology department in the country. Yet, such a move would require an enormous sacrifice: leaving the position of senior staff member in urologic oncology branch at the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute, just nine miles away from the White House.
Coming to Upstate in early 2011 turned out to be a wonderful opportunity not only for professional growth but also for solidifying Upstate’s position as a provider of the most complex urologic surgeries and now a national leader in urologic care that attracts patients far beyond the region. In less than eight years, the department of urology — or Upstate Urology — has grown from fewer than three fulltime physicians to a group of more than 20 urologic surgeons of various disciplines, spanning regional coverage of close to 6,400 square miles with offices located far beyond Syracuse’s downtown office.
Upstate Urology is a team with numerous fellowship-trained urologic surgeons spanning expertise in urologic oncology, robotic and laparoscopic surgery, female and pelvic floor reconstruction, pediatric urology, infertility and erectile dysfunction, kidney stones and metabolic disease, male reconstruction, transgender surgery, and all aspects of general urology.
Many patients now fly to Syracuse not only from Buffalo and New York City, but from all over the United States and abroad to be treated by members of Upstate Urology who have established themselves as national and international experts in the field of urology.
Physicians of Upstate Urology provide both clinical and academic mission. With a commitment to Central New York, Upstate Urology has offices in downtown Syracuse, Community Campus, Auburn, Oneida, Cortland, Binghamton and Utica. They also take wonderful care of our veterans providing subspecialty services to Syracuse VA hospital.
The commitment to academia is reflected in training three urologic residents per year for five years (Upstate is now one of the larger training programs in the U.S.) and educating many of Upstate’s medical students. The department’s notoriety is also strengthened by its high quality clinical and basic science research. The department hosts four productive molecular labs led by brilliant scientists. It also publishes many high-impact articles in the most prestigious medical journals.
In summary, I can proudly state that coming to Upstate in 2011 has been a beautiful journey allowing me and my colleagues to connect with this beautiful community, help so many wonderful patients and families, educate so many bright young hearts and minds, and turning Upstate into a destination for the best urologic care.
I would like to thank the entire community, patients that gave us their trust, the referring doctors who gave us a chance to succeed, and everyone who has helped us raise the flag of Upstate Urology high.
For an appointment or to refer patients, please call 315-464-1500.