Kidney Stones Pain, Symptoms and Treatment

Kidney stone disease is a common issue that affects men and women alike. There are many factors that can be attributed to developing kidney stones. According to Dr. Amar J. Raval, “Kidney stone disease is very prevalent in Florida because of heat and lack of hydration.” The state’s warm climate helps induce sweating and makes it easier to dehydrate, putting people who live there at a higher risk of developing stones.

In addition to climate, there are several other factors that can increase kidney stone likelihood. Family history is one factor. If someone in your family has a history of developing stones, you are at greater risk of developing them as well. Diets high in protein, salt and sugar also increase the risk. Salt especially is known to increase the amount of calcium your kidneys must filter, raising the chances of stone development. Certain conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and urinary tract infections are also known to increase kidney stone risk.

Urologist Dr. Amar Raval of Palm Harbor, FLThere are numerous symptoms associated with kidney stones and they can vary in seriousness and pain level. Doctors often see patients with acute onset pain in the upper abdomen that does not resolve with medication, nausea, fever, chills, difficulty urinating and even blood in the urine. The symptoms of kidney stones may present themselves differently depending on many different factors. It is important to know when something is not right and when it may be best to see a urologist for help.

Luckily for people suffering from kidney stones, there are many treatments doctors can use to help them. Many of the treatments are endoscopic, not requiring incisions and are minimally invasive. For instance, doctors may insert a stint into the urinary tract to allow the patient to pass the stone. Shock waves also can be used to break large stones into smaller more easily passable pieces. The shock wave treatment also is not invasive. Doctors can use lasers to break off a piece of the stone for a biopsy to determine exactly what kind of stone it is and what the best treatment may be.

Consulting a trusted urologist for diagnosis and treatment options for kidney stones is very important. Like many conditions, kidney stone treatment is easiest when caught early. Urologists like Dr. Amar J. Raval at the Advanced Urology Institute help many patients with kidney stones. They are familiar with kidney stone disease as well as the latest medical technology, and can provide the most advanced treatment options for their patients. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Becoming a Urologist with Amar Raval, MD

A urologist plays an important role in healthcare. The field of urology encompasses many issues that people face throughout their lives, especially as they start to age. As urologist Dr. Amar Raval notes, urology allows him the opportunity to “provide a service to others.” As a urologist he gets to make a positive impact on his patients’ lives by helping them with many of the common issues that prompt people to seek medical help.

Dr. Amar Raval from Palm Harbor, FLOne common problem is kidney stone disease. Kidney stones form for a variety of different reasons. They are particularly common in warm climates, like Florida. Symptoms can vary, but they include severe abdominal pain, nausea, fever, chills, difficulty urinating or blood in the urine. Kidney stones can be very painful and some people need assistance to pass them. A urologist can assess the stones and determine the best way to remove them. In some cases, experienced urologists can break up the stones using a shock wave treatment that is totally noninvasive.

Urologists also frequently see cases of prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers for men. The disease comes in many different forms, making each case unique. While some need to be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, other forms are non-aggressive and can be left alone. Urologists also may recommend cutting-edge technologies like HIFU. Whatever the diagnosis, it is important to work with your urologist to monitor your prostate and find the best treatment plan for you.

Urinary incontinence is a common problem that many patients are embarrassed to discuss with their doctor. A urologist deals with many patients experiencing urinary incontinence and is accustomed to having in-depth conversations with their patients about incontinence. They know how to discuss the problem with patients so they feel comfortable while also finding the underlying issue causing the incontinence. Whether it is caused by stress, infection, lifestyle or another issue, a urologist can find the best solution and help a patient maintain a healthy and confident life.

There are countless other issues that bring patients to see a urologist for help. Dr. Amar Raval at the Advanced Urology Institute is one of many dedicated urologists improve their patients’ quality of life. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Screening for Prostate Cancer – Dr. Brian Hale

Urologist Dr. Brian Hale recommends that men over 50 years old be checked regularly for prostate cancer. It is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and it increases in likelihood as men age. Tests such as the PSA can help detect prostate cancer in its early stages when treatment is most effective.

The most common way to screen for prostate cancer is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The PSA test is simple and works like this: Both cancerous and noncancerous prostate tissues create protein, and small amounts of that protein will enter the bloodstream. Prostate cancer cells produce more proteins than noncancerous ones, so if cancer cells are present there will be an increase in the proteins in the blood. The PSA test works by checking the blood for increased protein levels.

Dr. Brian Hale: Board Certified UrologistThere are pros and cons to PSA screening for prostate cancer. PSA tests can show increases in proteins when cancerous tissue is not actually present. This is called a false positive and can cause a great deal of stress for the patient and lead to more invasive tests that may not be necessary. For these reasons, among others, PSA tests were not recommended to patients for a period of time.

A few years after PSA tests stopped being recommended, Dr. Hale began noticing a troubling trend. He began seeing an increasingly large number of patients with prostate cancers that had metastasized, which is when it spreads to other parts of the body. This happens when prostate cancer goes undetected and has time to grow untreated. Dr. Hale noticed a correlation between the time PSA screening stopped being recommended and the up-tick in cases of fast-growing and metastasized cancers.

Because of this finding, Dr. Hale recommends that men continue PSA screening as part of their preventative care. Although it may not be a perfect test, its pros far outweigh its cons. Prostate cancer, when caught early is far easier to treat, and can often be treated with less extreme methods. Prostate cancers that have metastasized can be trickier and far more expensive to treat. Although some men may not like blood tests, it is better to take a simple blood test and catch an issue early than it is to let prostate cancer spread and turn into a much more serious medical problem.

As you age, it is important to take care of yourself and see the right doctors to discuss what is best for you. Dedicated urologists like Dr. Brian Hale at the Advance Institute of Urology have been discussing these issues with their patients for many years and will continue looking out for them. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Are Medications Effective in Treating Erectile Dysfunction


Erectile dysfunction occurs to some degree in about 50 percent of men 40-70 years old. But only 10 percent of men report a total inability to have erections. For 70 percent of men with ED, taking an erectile dysfunction drug can produce an erection sufficient for intercourse. The drugs typically improve the supply of blood to the penis and, together with sexual stimulation, they produce an erection that is hard enough to begin and complete intercourse.

What ED pills are available?

The first ED drug commonly offered is sildenafil (Viagra). It has been on the market for the longest time and its side effects and the foods it interacts with are well known. Other ED drugs available in the U.S. are tadalafil (Cialis), avanafil (Stendra) and vardenafil (Levitra). Another option is Staxyn, the fast-dissolving form of Levitra that is placed under the tongue.

How well do these drugs work?

In those who are otherwise healthy, ED drugs produce an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse in at least 70 percent of men. Although the results vary slightly with each person, 70-80 percent of men will respond well to these medications. In fact, the majority of men with ED are pleased to use these medications. And while there are some who may not have the desired effect from any of these drugs, including men with damaged arteries or nerves after prostate surgery, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes, a larger number will find them quite effective.

How quickly do the pills work?

The pills may not work if they are not used correctly. These drugs are not an on-and-off switch for erections. So they won’t work well if there is no sexual stimulation. After taking the drugs, it is important for a man to be with his sexual partner and have foreplay. Likewise, Viagra and Levitra do not work if taken after a meal and must be taken before eating. But Stendra and Cialis do not interact with food and can be taken after a meal. When used properly, it takes about 15-60 minutes for the pills to start working.

Which drug works best?

There is no specific ED drug that is the best. Studies have shown that all ED pills have similar efficacy and safety. So the best drug depends on the man’s body chemistry, lifestyle and needs. That is why men should consider their and their partners’ preferences and the cost of their preferred medications. For instance, they may consider how spontaneous their partners are when it comes to sexual activity.

Nevertheless, studies have shown that about 52 percent of men with ED prefer tadalafil (Cialis), 28 percent prefer sildenafil (Viagra) and about 20 percent prefer vardenafil (Levitra). Tadalafil is more popular because it offers a 36-hour window of opportunity to have an erection while the other pills offer a much shorter period.

What are the alternatives to ED drugs?

For men not satisfied with the pills or who have conditions that make these drugs ineffective, shockwave lithotripsy is a great alternative to explore. During this treatment, waves are delivered to the penis to create or improve vascularity. Even if shockwave lithotripsy does not work, the urologist may request a test to measure the rate of blood flow to the penis. The test can help the doctor determine if there are underlying issues that ought to be addressed.

Even though ED drugs are generally safe, they should not be taken by men with certain conditions. For example, men with heart disease should not take these drugs. ED patients should always tell their doctors about all their health issues and the medications they are taking during their consultations. With this information, doctors can recommend the right pills or treatment for each patient. For more information on treatment of erectile dysfunction, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

What is MRI with Transrectal Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy

Prostate cancer has a new standard of care in MRI-guided fusion biopsy with transrectal ultrasound. While a prostate biopsy has been the only way to get a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer, it has only been working if cancer cells are identified in the sample tissue. But in some cases, such as when the tumor occurs at the top surface of the prostate or other unusual locations, a biopsy may not give a correct diagnosis. For instance, the standard TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) guided biopsy in which tissue samples are collected from the prostate in a systematic pattern gives a negative result with tumors located in unusual areas of the prostate. About 15-20 percent of tumor locations can be missed by the biopsy needle.

What makes the MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy more definitive?

The MRI-ultrasound fusion approach is an improvement on the traditional 12-core TRUS, which involved taking biopsies from twelve prostate areas where the cancer is considered more likely to occur. With the TRUS biopsy, about 70 percent of men who have a negative biopsy result are not essentially free of the cancer. The MRI-ultrasound fusion technology blends the superior imaging capability of the high-definition multi-parametric (mp) MRI with real-time ultrasound imaging. There is better visualization of the suspicious areas of the prostate where the cancer may occur that may not be visible on ultrasound alone. The fusion-guided biopsy detects almost twice as many prostate cancers in all stages as the standard TRUS biopsy.

The ability of MRI-ultrasound fusion-guided biopsy to create a three-dimensional (3D) map of the prostate ensures that doctors are able to see the targeted areas of the prostate better and perform more precise biopsies. The technology uses a machine known as UroNav developed by Invivo, which is supplied with sophisticated software to produce super-detailed MRI images and fuse them with the ultrasound images generated by a transrectal probe administered on the patient in an outpatient setting. The resulting images enable the examining physician to direct biopsy needles with pinpoint accuracy and to easily access any lesions or suspicious areas revealed by MRI. The technology allows the urologist to hit the target spot more accurately and improves cancer detection rate. In fact, it is primarily used for men who have an ongoing suspicion of prostate cancer, such as those with consistently elevated PSA, but whose TRUS biopsy results are repeatedly negative.

Fewer biopsies, more accurate detection

The fusion-guided biopsy is a very targeted approach in which biopsies are performed only in highly suspicious areas of the prostate appearing in the MRI image. As a result, significantly fewer biopsies are done with the MRI-ultrasound fusion than with the traditional TRUS technique, minimizing the adverse effects that often accompany repeat biopsies. Multiple prostate biopsies can lead to complications such as bleeding, infection, urinary retention problems, sepsis or even death.

In spite of fewer biopsies, the MRI fusion approach increases the rate of detection of aggressive prostate cancer. The extensive MRI images obtained before the biopsy helps highlight both high-risk and intermediate-risk cancers often missed by traditional TRUS biopsy. With MRI-ultrasound fusion, the likelihood of detecting cancer increases as the grade of the tumor increases. The use of MRI fusion biopsy helps to avoid metastatic disease by finding cancer before it spreads to other areas of the body.

Improved cancer differentiation

Through MRI fusion, doctors are able to more accurately differentiate cancers that require treatment from the ones that should undergo watchful waiting (active surveillance). Fusion technology is able to show higher-risk cancers and does not highlight the insignificant low-grade tumors, making it less likely for urologic oncologists to over-treat indolent and low-grade cancers. A number of prostate cancers are low-grade, non-aggressive and do not cause problems at all and treating them through chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery can impair the quality of life or even cause death. MRI fusion effectively saves patients from the adverse effects of treating low-grade tumors. Fusion technology eliminates up to 50 percent of prostate cancer treatments that are unnecessarily administered on low-grade cancers.

At Advanced Urology Institute, we have adopted the MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy and changed the way we screen, evaluate and diagnose prostate cancer. It has become our standard for detecting prostate cancer and we believe in the next few years it will be the gold standard for detecting the cancer. We are proud that it offers a higher detection rate, superior accuracy and reduces the rate of repeat biopsies — making our practice one of the best places for detection and monitoring of the cancer. It helps us deliver the best treatment outcomes for our patients.

If you think you are at high risk of prostate cancer or already have started experiencing some symptoms, let us show you how the precision of our high-definition MRI fusion machine, the expertise of our skilled physicians in MRI fusion biopsy and the know-how of our radiologists proficient in multi-parametric MRI imaging can help you. For more information on the treatment and diagnosis of prostate cancer, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed

About 70 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer through PSA screening have low-risk, low-grade disease. Unfortunately, over 90 percent of these men are placed under aggressive treatment soon after diagnosis when in real sense up to 60 percent of them may not need treatment, even in the long-term. Why does this happen? The common screening tests are not able to distinguish between men with prostate cancer that requires treatment and those with clinically insignificant disease. In fact, the PSA test, which is the most frequently used screening test, gives up to 12.5 percent false positive results.

Tackling overdiagnosis and overtreatment

There have been growing concerns over the increased number of prostate cancer cases diagnosed and treated following PSA testing. For instance, overdiagnosis through PSA tests has resulted in more men undergoing biopsy, which comes with adverse effects such as pain, acute urinary retention and urosepsis. Likewise, for men placed immediately under aggressive treatment, there are concerns over psychological distress and adverse effects to treatment such as urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction and erectile dysfunction, among others, which are typically longstanding and life-altering. So because of the quality-of-life issues and financial costs, attention is shifting to ways of minimizing the harm caused by PSA screening, particularly ways of mitigating the conversion of overdiagnosis to overtreatment.

Risk-based screening

At Advanced Urology Institute, we have designed our screening, diagnosis and treatment processes for prostate cancer to respond to these growing concerns and minimize both overdiagnosis and overtreatment. For instance, we have included a candid patient-urologist discussion of both the PSA and digital rectal exam to make sure our patients are properly informed of their pros and cons. We also perform these screening tests in an individualized manner, based on each patient’s risk factors. As a baseline, we allow men to take their first PSA screening only when in their 40s. This enables us to develop the right screening protocol for each patient.

If a man’s PSA is low during the first test, we generally consider him to have a low lifetime risk of the disease and may not recommend frequent PSA measurements for him. And if we find PSA < 2 for a man in his 60s, we consider him to have a negligible chance of dying from the cancer and recommend that he not undergo any further PSA screening. It’s only for men with higher risk, such as those who have had a first-degree relative with the cancer — which doubles their risk of developing prostate cancer — that we may recommend more frequent screening.

Taking advantage of newer diagnostic tools

Previously, any man with a PSA result that was worrisome, such as one showing a rise over time or has an absolute high value, would automatically be a candidate for biopsy. At Advanced Urology Institute, we have changed this and now may perform other tests before we can recommend a biopsy. For instance, we can use a second test called PCA3 to define a man’s risk level and assess whether or not a biopsy is necessary for him. The PCA3 is a more specific marker for prostate cancer than the PSA and it can be measured in urine, usually after a DRE. Similarly, we can assess the aggressiveness of a tumor through genomic testing and use the results to determine whether immediate treatment or active surveillance is appropriate. So we use such tests to reduce the harm that our patients may suffer from biopsies done due to PSA-based overdiagnosis.

Individualized approach to treatment

To further reduce the chances of treating indolent prostate cancer, we use a combination of PSA and biopsy to assess and classify patients according to degree of aggressiveness of their disease. At AUI, we are committed to minimizing unnecessary, worthless or even harmful treatment after cancer diagnosis. Our most preferred management strategy, particularly for men diagnosed with localized, low-risk prostate cancer, is active surveillance as opposed to immediate treatment. It involves following men with low-grade, low-risk cancer closely and only providing treatment for tumors that exhibit aggressive behavior or are spreading to other areas of the body. Through careful observation, we have realized that a majority of men do not need treatment and therefore are spared the unnecessary aggressive interventions.

During active surveillance, we usually recommend serial PSA testing and biopsy to help monitor the behavior of the tumor. Before we put patients on active surveillance, we inform them that there is a possibility that the cancer may spread to keep them psychologically prepared just in case we detect progress. We also make them aware of the cancer-specific mortality with and without treatment, which is usually less than 10 percent without treatment and reduced by about 50 percent with radiation or surgery. We also inform them of the pros and cons of active surveillance and provide them with all the information they need to make personal treatment decisions.

Our approach is quite different for patients with high-risk prostate cancer. For them, we usually begin curative treatment as soon as possible, using the tools available to deliver safe, timely and effective treatment. The most common treatments for high-grade, high-risk prostate cancer are radiotherapy, high-intensity frequency ultrasound and robotic prostatectomy. Want to know more about prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment? Visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

Dr Yaser Bassel – Becoming a Urologist

Are you a frank, compassionate and approachable person who likes to help others? If so, then urology may just be the right medical specialty for you. Committed to a lifetime occupation of resolving troubling, embarrassing and depressing conditions of the genitourinary tract, urologists have a wonderful opportunity and privilege of making people’s lives better. They are skilled in tackling issues that most people are shy to speak about, helping patients open up and talk about the most awkward conditions and having the ability to restore a sense of hope and contentment in their lives.

What does a urologist do?

As a urologist, you provide diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care to people with urinary tract disorders, including kidney stones, pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, male sexual dysfunction, urologic cancers, genitourinary tract injuries, Peyronie’s disease, priapism, enlarged prostate and male infertility. You also do urinary tract reconstruction and perform procedures to treat disorders of the urethra, bladder, adrenal glands, ureters and kidneys. While the kind of treatment varies from one patient to another, a typical treatment may include surgery or medication, or both.

Why urology?

Curing people with various medical problems is something I always wanted to do from a very young age. I developed a passion for medicine and yearned for a future where I would be there to help people. But it is the striking prevalence of urological disorders I often encountered, together with my medical school mentors, that sparked my interest in urology. Urology also struck me as the area of medicine where I would thrive and would be needed most — caring for people, developing lasting relationships with patients and making a tangible difference in their lives.

Path to urology

I was born in Egypt but moved with my family to the United States when I was just 3 years old. In the U.S. my family moved around quite a bit and we lived in the Midwest for a period of time before eventually settling in Florida. I went to King High School in the Tampa Bay area, then attended the University of Florida for my undergraduate degree in Microbiology (with a minor in Chemistry). I graduated with honors and achieved a National Merit Scholar, enabling me to go to the University of South Carolina in 2007 for medical school. After getting my medical degree, I joined the Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, for my urology residency.

Going through medical school, I started to explore areas where I could specialize. I wanted to pursue a surgical subspecialty that could help me make the most impact on people’s lives. I also wanted a specialty that would enable me to be directly involved with the patients, establishing lasting relationships with them and seeing their lives improve. And because I was fascinated by the wide range of techniques and procedures in urology and its exciting blend of the best of both worlds of surgery and medicine, I chose urology.

Areas of expertise

As a urologist, I perform both routine and specialized procedures to help patients with urological conditions. I administer antibiotics to patients with recurrent urinary tract infections, hormone therapy for prostate cancer, chemotherapy for urological cancers, and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as tadalafil or Cialis for men with erectile dysfunction. I also use various surgical techniques like minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, or laser therapy for kidney stones, BPH, cancer, among others. I am frequently involved in surgery to repair the urinary tract after traumatic injury, remove a tumor, remove or break up kidney stones, transplant or remove a kidney, relieve incontinence (like the sling procedure) and relieve urethral strictures caused by scar tissue (a procedure called urethral dilation).

With my skill and experience in minimally invasive surgery, using both laparoscopic techniques and the da Vinci robotic system, I am often called upon to perform complex surgical procedures to treat various genitourinary disorders. Single incision da Vinci robotic surgery provides enhanced 3D, high-definition cameras and complete control robotic arms, ensuring high-precision surgery for removal of a cancerous prostate and treatment of conditions such as prostatitis, enlarged prostate, kidney obstructions, bladder disease and urinary incontinence whenever prescription drugs and other medical therapies fail to help.

Job satisfaction

Like most other medical specialties, urology is a highly demanding field that requires extreme commitment and dedication. Right from intense schooling, continuous medical training, chaotic work schedule, to the hopelessness felt when patients are diagnosed with advanced disease, urology comes with its fair share of frustrations and stresses. But working through these challenges and being able to consistently deliver timely, safe and effective solutions to those in severe need is remarkably satisfying.

Besides, practicing urology is never dull. From the amazing technologies used and the different kinds of people you see each day to the various issues you resolve daily, you are sure to encounter something fun and exciting. You also have the opportunity to interact with your patients, win their trust, and establish enduring relationships. For me, to be able help people overcome devastating and awkward conditions and see their lives improve is what I really find gratifying in urology.

Why Advanced Urology Institute?

I joined Advanced Urology Institute soon after my urology residency and ten years later I still love this place. It’s wonderful with the people you work with at AUI and the systems, technologies and equipment available to use. And with all our administrative work managed through a centralized system, we have all the time to concentrate on delivering the very best care to our patients.

You are not just surrounded by knowledgeable, experienced and certified professionals, you are encouraged to collaborate with them through AUI’s multidisciplinary patient-centered approach to care. This allows you to develop your skills and proficiency, grow quickly in your area of specialization and achieve your career dreams. I couldn’t have found a better place to practice urology than AUI.

Looking for more information on how to become a urologist? Or are you or your loved one in need of urological services? Get more information on urologists and the diagnosis, treatment and care for urological disorders by visiting the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

Webb McCanse Becoming a Urologist

Are you blessed with a great sense of humor? Do you have the courage to openly talk about sensitive and awkward issues? Or are you just interested in helping very sick people get better? If so, you are just like me and an ideal person to serve as a urologist. People feel uneasy about seeing urologists because the issues we tackle are in an uncomfortable area of the body. But as a urologist, you are always called upon to make patients open up and speak about their problems honestly. It is a challenging task, but one that is very satisfying. Who would not feel gratified and fulfilled after smashing the barriers that make people suffer silently from genitourinary disorders and help them to find relief from embarrassing symptoms?

Becoming a Urologist

The opportunity to work in the Navy was very attractive to me. So I pursued medicine as a path to serving my country. With the United States
Navy taking care of my fees, I completed my medical school training at the University of Kansas and joined the University of Nebraska’s Medical Center for a six-year urology residency. Upon completion, I served in the United States Naval Hospitals of Pensacola and Guam, with sporadic assignments in Cuba and Okinawa, Japan. Following a satisfying naval service, I moved to Advanced Urology Institute.

Areas of Expertise

My extensive training exposed me to a number of advanced technologies and medical procedures. I am an expert in minimally invasive surgical procedures, particularly laparoscopic surgery and robot-assisted surgery for a wide range of genitourinary disorders. At AUI, I see patients with urologic cancers (bladder, penile, urethral and prostate), kidney stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), overactive bladder and urinary incontinence, among other conditions. I no longer serve in the Navy, but I am still proud to serve my country by helping its citizens overcome some of the most painful and embarrassing conditions.

Job Satisfaction

Urology is a very interesting profession, with each day presenting new challenges. We educate patients on living healthy lives, achieving their goals and making informed decisions. The level of engagement with patients is just amazing. We get to know our patients, gain their trust and build enduring relationships with them. It is greatly satisfying to just be there for a person who is suffering but feeling embarrassed to discuss his condition. Then to be able to help him open up, discuss the symptoms freely and find relief just brings incredible joy. As a urologist, I am proud of my specialized role and am deeply contented, satisfied and fulfilled as a person.

Why Advanced Urology Institute

Advanced Urology Institute is a pool of like-minded and experienced professionals working through a collaborative, multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to deliver the best possible care to patients. Our job is not merely to diagnose and treat, but also to help people be proactive and take control of their lives. We consider the different patient needs, offer tailored consultations and treatments, and are always there for our patients. I love working at AUI because it offers the best opportunity for me to serve my country through timely, safe and effective urological care to its citizens. For more information on urological services offered at AUI, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

How Did Nicole Szell Become a Urologist?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Dr. Nicole Szell’s journey to becoming a urologist was driven by her passion for women’s health and her educational background in biology, chemistry, and osteopathic medicine.
  • Urology as a profession is intellectually challenging and rewarding, allowing practitioners to build trust-based relationships with patients and improve their quality of life.
  • Advanced Urology Institute is an ideal place for urologists like Dr. Szell to practice, as it offers a supportive environment with skilled professionals and a patient-centered approach to care.

To be able to dedicate your life to preventing, detecting and intervening in painful and embarrassing situations is an attractive and gratifying undertaking. It may not be for everyone, but for those of us in this profession it just brings incredible joy. As a urologist, you are able to direct your energy and enthusiasm to helping people. You are allowed into the lives of people facing painful conditions and are trusted to inject hope and bring back the joy to living. And as you are diagnosing, treating and educating patients, you make long-term connections and enjoy the thrill of being able to make other people well and happy again. It is a wonderful experience.

My Journey to Urology

Women’s health interested me from a very young age, driving me into many years of service as a volunteer and researcher in various women’s health programs and organizations. So when I went to college, my mind was already made up. I just wanted to pursue female urology and pelvic floor medicine. Being a native of the Midwest and Cleveland, Ohio, I went to Radford University in Radford for my bachelor of science in biology and chemistry. Upon graduation, I joined the College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, for my medical school degree. Then I went to St. John’s Providence Health System, Detroit, for my urology residency program. I specialized in voiding dysfunction, pelvic floor disorders, sexual dysfunction, urologic reconstruction and pelvic organ prolapse, though I also handle general urology disorders such as kidney stones and bladder cancer.

Job Satisfaction

Urology is a field that challenges the intellect daily. It also inculcates the capacity to develop relationships based on trust. But most importantly, it offers the opportunity to solve women’s health problems, something I have been committed to since I was a young girl. As a urologist, I am able to engage with women in different situations and suffering from various conditions. It is a great privilege to listen to them, help them relax and find hope even in the face of a devastating diagnosis. I love my job because each day offers the chance to relieve discomfort, solve embarrassing conditions and improve the quality of life.

Why Advanced Urology Institute

Advanced Urology Institute is a great place to practice. I call it the urologist’s paradise. You are surrounded by passionate, skilled and talented professionals who are dedicated to a greater purpose. Each member of the pool has an unwavering drive to deliver the best possible care. As a team, we collaborate a lot when handling our patients. Since all administrative work has been centralized, we are left to focus on how to address the issues of our patients. So when patients come, they find us energetic and enthusiastic to serve them. And with our multidisciplinary, compassionate and patient-friendly approach, every patient can be sure of the best possible care. Want to know more about our services? Visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

TRANSCRIPTION: 

Hi, I’m Dr. Nicole Szell. I’m a board certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute.

I grew up in Cleveland. I am an only child. I moved to Michigan. I did my training at Michigan State for medical school. I did my residency in Detroit, Michigan, and then I went down to Miami for my fellowship in female pelvic medicine and urethral reconstruction. I also did specialized training in chronic pelvic pain, which was in Detroit, and I also did specialized training in female sexual function and dysfunction in San Diego, California, before coming here.

REFERENCES: 

Christopher Sherman Becoming a Urologist

To help a patient overcome an agonizing and upsetting condition brings extraordinary joy. That is the special kind of joy that this profession brings. As a urologist, patients come to you when they are at their worst, trust you with secrets they probably share with no other and put their faith in your ability to find safe and effective solutions for their problems. So whether it is the embarrassing urine leaks, difficulty getting an erection or a devastating genitourinary cancer, you are placed in a position to fix the problem and put a smile on the face of a trusting patient. It is a unique position, but one that brings amazing fulfillment and satisfaction.

The Long Path

Right from childhood, I have had a knack for helping people rise above their limitations. As a native of Florida’s Coral Springs I was often surrounded by people with various medical conditions who had few physicians to attend to them. I made up my mind early that I would pursue medicine to be able to make an impact on these lives. I got my undergraduate degree in health science at the University of Florida, then moved to the College of Medicine, Florida State University, for my medical school degree. After that I took a one-year general surgery training followed by a four-year urology residency at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

Areas of Expertise

During my training, I became interested in medical technology and in advanced medical procedures. I not only honed my skills in minimally invasive techniques and robot-assisted surgery, but also mastered a number of specialized procedures such as laser surgery for BPH, Botox therapy for overactive bladder, interstim therapy for underactive and overactive bladder, and urethral slings for voiding dysfunction. Through my expertise as a urologist, I have been able to achieve my life’s dream of re-igniting the desire and joy to live in people facing their most uncomfortable, painful or lowest moments. As a urologist, I always feel a sense of peace and fulfillment after making a positive change in the life of a patient.

Job Satisfaction

As urologists, we work for long hours and often face stressful situations. But we take pride in our capacity to persevere and consistently deliver safe, timely and effective treatments. In fact, the challenges just help bring out the best in us and make our job even more interesting. We understand that to have the opportunity to help the sick is very rewarding. We also get to know our patients, win their trust and establish very close relationships. It is so satisfying to take care of patients and be able to make a difference in their lives.

Why Advanced Urology Institute

Every urologist yearns for a workplace that can bring out the best of their skills, talents and experiences and enable them to offer the best possible care. At Advanced Urology Institute, all administrative work has been centralized, allowing physicians to have enough time, tools and drive to collaborate, research, innovate and give the best possible care to their patients. AUI enables us to be in the company of other skilled, passionate, hard-working and creative people, making it easier for us to perform at our best and to take our careers to whatever heights we imagine. At AUI, urologists are living their dreams! For more information, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.