Murali K. Ankem, MD, MBA - Professor and Chairman of University of Louisville Department of Urology, Vice Dean of Graduate Medical Education, Designated Institutional Officer, University of Louisville School of Medicine, previously served as Director of Endourology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-UMDNJ in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He received his medical degree from the Rangaraya Medical College, Andhra University, India. He completed his four-year urology residency at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a two-year general surgery residency at Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Darby, Pennsylvania, and a one-year fellowship in endourology at The University of Wisconsin in Madison. He has published more than 30 papers, abstracts, and book chapters relating to urologic surgery. Dr. Ankem is a member of numerous professional and scientific societies such as the American Urological Association, the Endourological Society, and the Society for University Urologists. Dr. Ankem specializes in minimally invasive approaches for urinary stone disease, laparoscopic surgery for kidney, adrenal disorders, and prostate cancer. He has a special interest in the management of male erectile dysfunction. Dr. Ankem is certified by the American Board of Urology and the Indian Board of Urology. Dr. Ankem was appointed DIO of University of Louisville School of Medicine in January 2023.
The University of Louisville Department of Urology welcomed Jamie C. Messer, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology in September 2012. Dr. Messer is a native Kentuckian and earned his medical degree at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He completed his urology residency at Penn State University and his urologic oncology fellowship at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Messer's interests are urothelial cancer, both upper and lower tract, as well as renal cell carcinoma. We are pleased to have the addition of a urologic oncologist to our team of dedicated physicians. Dr. Messer is certified by the American Board of Urology. Dr. Messer specializes in Urologic Oncology.
Uzoma A. Anele, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Director of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery, Program Director, Urology Residency Program. Dr. Anele earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his urology residency at Virginia Commonwealth University and his Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Anele's interests are urethral stricture disease, male genitourinary reconstruction and prosthetics, male urinary incontinence, urinary fistulas, robotic surgery, penile and urethral cancer, and enlarged prostate. Dr. Anele was appointed as Program Director of the Urology Residency Program in July, 2023.
Mohammed A. Said MD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Clerkship Director and Director of Clinical Services. Dr. Said earned his medical degree at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his urology residency at Emory University and his Minimally Invasive Surgery and Endourology fellowship at the University of Iowa. Dr. Said's interests are robotic surgery of the kidney and prostate, surgical and medical management of kidney stones, MRI-guided prostate biopsy, ureteral reconstruction, and general urology. Dr. Said
Rosa Park, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology. Dr. Park earned her medical degree at SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York. She completed her residency at Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania in 2018, follow by a fellowship in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee in 2024. Dr. Park will join the department as Assistant Professor and Director of Female Pelvic Medicine in September, 2024.
Zachary Snow, DO, Assistant Professor of Urology. Dr. Snow earned his medical degree at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2019. He completed his urology residency at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania in 2024. Dr. Snow will join the department as Assistant Professor and Director of Ambulatory Urology in September, 2024.
Jessica N. Schardein MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Urology. Dr. Schardein earned her medical degree at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois. She completed her residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York followed by an Andrology Fellowship, Division of Urology, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Schardein will join the department as Assistant Professor and Director of Sexual Medicine in January, 2025.
Dev Karan, PhD Researcher in Prostate Cancer in September, 2024. Dr. Karan’s research focuses on cancer immunology and immunotherapy, and the understanding of the role of inflammation in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Overall emphasis of his research is based on harnessing the power of immune system to improve its preventive and therapeutic efficacy against cancer cells using natural compounds, chemotherapy drugs and antigen-specific immunotherapy. His laboratory research addresses the role of immune system in antitumor therapy, activation of antitumor responses and characterization of antitumor effector mechanisms specific to prostate cancer. His research team developed an adenovirus (Ad)-based vaccine for a simultaneous targeting of prostate-specific antigens, and demonstrated its superior therapeutic efficacy in preclinical studies. They are actively pursuing their interest in translating this immunotherapy approach into clinics
Pediatric Faculty - Norton Children's Hospitals
The University of Louisville Department of Urology welcomed Katie L. Canalichio, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology in August 2020. Dr. Canalichio earned her medical degree at University of Texas McGovern Medical School in Houston, Texas in 2014. She completed her urology residency at University of Texas Health Science Center and followed up with a Pediatric Urology Fellowship with Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Canalichio’s clinical interests include genitourinary reconstruction, hypospadias repair, spina bifida and other complex urological conditions affecting children. She also performs minimally invasive and robotic surgery and treats pediatric stone disease. We are pleased to have Dr. Canalichio join our team of dedicated physicians.
The University of Louisville Department of Urology welcomed Laura B. Cornwell, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology in August 2020. Dr. Cornwell, is a pediatric urologist with Norton Children’s Urology. Pediatric urologist Laura B. Cornwell, M.D., has joined Norton Children’s Urology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, practicing in St. Matthews, at the Novak Center for Children’s Health in downtown Louisville, and in Bowling Green. Dr. Cornwell completed her general surgery internship at the University of Colorado, in Aurora, a urology residency at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, , and a pediatric urology fellowship at Rady Children’s Hospital and the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. A Louisville native, Dr. Cornwell received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine with distinction in research in 2013. She also completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Louisville. Dr. Cornwell is passionate about pediatric urological issues, including minimizing patient risks and understanding the impact of childhood urological disease on kidney health.
The University of Louisville Department of Urology welcomed Angelena B. Edwards, MD in September, 2024. We are honored to have our esteemed alumni return to her alma mater and hometown. Dr. Edwards earned her medical degree at University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2013. She completed her urology residency at University of Louisville Urology Residency Program in 2018, and followed up with a Pediatric Urology Fellowship University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas. Dr. Edwards' clinical interests include genitourinary reconstruction, hypospadias repair, spina bifida and other complex urological conditions affecting children. She also performs minimally invasive and robotic surgery and treats pediatric stone disease. We are pleased to have Dr. Edwards join our team of dedicated physicians.
Clinical Faculty - First Urology, PSC
Aaron B. Becker, MD, Clinical Instructor in urology at University of Louisville is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Becker attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where he graduated magna cum laude. He received his medical degree from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine and completed his residency in urologic surgery and kidney transplantation at the University of Toledo.
Dr. Becker’s clinical interests include urologic cancers, kidney disease, incontinence and treatment of BPH, with special emphasis on minimally invasive techniques and robotic surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Urology and is licensed to practice medicine in Kentucky and Indiana. In his spare time Dr. Becker enjoys sports, travel and spending time with his wife and three children.
Bradley B. Bell, MD - Dr. Bell is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his undergraduate degree from Wabash College, graduating in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. His medical school education was completed at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and he completed his urology specialty training at the Indiana University Medical Center.
Dr. Bell serves as assistant clinical professor of urology at the University of Louisville and has served as president of the Kentucky Urological Association. He is also a clinical instructor, teaching other urologists robotic and laparoscopic surgery in the management of kidney and prostate cancer, earning wide recognition as an expert in the da Vinci Robotic Laparoscopic Surgical System. Dr. Bell has performed nearly 2,000 robotic procedures and continues to be an innovator in minimally invasive surgery. He joined the practice in 2000. Dr. Bell is certified by the American Board of Urology and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
John Eifler, MD - Dr. Eifler is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He received his Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and mathematics from the University of Kentucky, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his medical degree with Honors in Research from Cornell University. During medical school, he completed a yearlong research fellowship at the Surgery Branch of the National Institutes of Health, and completed his urology residency at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Following residency, he completed a urologic oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, specializing in open and da Vinci robotic surgery for prostate, kidney, bladder and testicular cancer.
Dr. Eifler serves as assistant clinical professor of urology at University of Louisville and is site director for the urology residency program at Baptist Hospital. He is a member of the American Urological Association.
C. Jeffery Goodwin, MD - Dr. Goodwin was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and raised in Bowling Green. He received his undergraduate degree from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, before earning a medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Goodwin underwent general surgical and urologic surgical training at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. He serves as assistant clinical professor of urology at the University of Louisville. His surgical interests include urologic oncology, reconstructive urology and stone disease, and he is trained in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery. In his spare time, Dr. Goodwin enjoys exercising, gardening and spending time with his wife and two children. He plays mandolin with the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra and sings in Christ Church United Methodist Chancel Choir. Dr. Goodwin joined the practice in 2008, and he is certified by the American Board of Urology.
Ganesh K. Kartha, MD - Dr. Ganesh Kartha is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. He received his Master of Science in physiology and biophysics at the University of Louisville. He went on to graduate cum laude from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his residency in urology at the Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute located in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was honored with the Outstanding Resident Surgeon Award by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. He serves as assistant clinical professor of urology at University of Louisville, site director for the urology residency program at Jewish Hospital, and as Kentucky Urological Association president 2020-2021. Dr. Kartha practices general urology. He has special interests in stone disease, benign prostatic enlargement and urologic oncology using a variety of treatment options (open, minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques).
Daniel Kmetz, MD - Dr. Kmetz is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He attended college at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where he also played collegiate golf. He received his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and completed his residency in urology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Dr. Kmetz’s clinical interests include all aspects of general urology including treatment of BPH, stone disease, overactive bladder, incontinence, female urology and robotic surgery. He is licensed to practice medicine in Kentucky and Indiana. In his spare time Dr. Kmetz enjoys spending time with his wife, two children and dogs. They are outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy hiking, skiing, fishing, boating and cycling. Dr. Kmetz is a member of the American Urologic Association, Indiana Urologic Association, Kentucky Medical Association and Greater Louisville Medical Society.
Matthew Peterson, MD - Dr. Peterson was born in Michigan and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and went on to graduate from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He received his urology training from Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Peterson practices all aspects of general urology, with a special interest in oncology and stone disease. He practices all techniques of urologic surgery, including minimally invasive, laparoscopic and robotic. Dr. Peterson has practiced urology in Louisville since 2007. He is past president of the Kentucky Urological Association, and he has previously served as Medical Staff President and Head of Surgical Services at both Norton Hospital and Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital. Dr. Peterson currently serves as assistant clinical professor of urology at the University of Louisville. In his spare time, Dr. Peterson enjoys spending time with his family, running and cycling. His favorite quote? “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not” – Dr. Seuss. Dr. Peterson is certified by the American Board of Urology.
Ganesh Rao, MD - Dr. Rao was born and raised in India where he graduated at the top of his class at Mysore Medical College. After finishing a year of internship, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked for three years as a research associate in the Division of Urologic Surgery. Dr. Rao’s areas of research included gene therapy in prostate and bladder cancer, and he has authored several articles and presented papers at national and international conferences. In 1996 he started a five-year residency in urologic surgery at the University of Louisville. During residency he received awards for compassionate care and scholarly achievement. Dr. Rao serves as assistant clinical professor of urology at the University of Louisville, and as site director for urology residency program at Audubon Hospital. Dr. Rao joined the practice in 2001. He now practices general urology with special interests in urologic cancers and prosthetic surgery. He is the proud father of two daughters and enjoys UofL sports, traveling and cooking.
Christopher Schrepferman, MD - Dr. Schrepferman completed his undergraduate education at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he graduated cum laude. He later attended the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society, graduating with high honors. Dr. Schrepferman completed residency training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and fellowship training in male infertility and microsurgery at the Baylor College of Medicine under the direction of Dr. Larry Lipshultz. Dr. Schrepferman has published articles concerning male infertility, female incontinence and microscopic vasectomy reversal. He maintains an active interest in all areas of urology, particularly male infertility and sexual function, stone disease, prostate enlargement and urologic cancers. He serves as assistant clinical professor of urology at the University of Louisville. In his free time, Dr. Schrepferman enjoys attending the sporting events of his 3 sons, playing platform tennis and golf, and travel.
Christopher E.W. Smith, MD - Dr. Smith attended Indiana University and the University of Louisville where he graduated cum laude. In 1992 he graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and trained at the University Hospitals, completing his urological surgery training in 1997. Dr. Smith has had extensive postgraduate training in laparoscopic urology and was the first to perform retroperitoneal laparoscopic kidney, adrenal surgery and the pre-peritoneal prostatectomy in greater Louisville. Dr. Smith has also performed bench and clinical research on neurogenic bladder. Currently an assistant clinical professor of urology at the University of Louisville, Dr. Smith remains active in teaching students and residents. He is a member of numerous local, regional and national societies, including the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons. Dr. Smith has considerable experience in office treatments for BPH, and his interests include laparoscopic urologic surgery, percutaneous stone surgery and minimally invasive BPH treatments. Dr. Smith loves attending UofL football games and spending time with his wife, who is a lawyer in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Together they have two sons.
Jon Witten, MD - Dr. Witten is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Vanderbilt University where he earned a B.E. in Biomedical Engineering in 2006. He completed his medical degree with honors at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2010 and his residency training in Urologic Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University in 2016. Following residency, he completed a Fellowship in Urologic Trauma and Reconstruction at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Dr. Witten sees all patients, focusing on general urology as well as complicated reconstructive needs. He specializes in BPH, Overactive Bladder, complex Urethral Strictures, Post-prostatectomy Incontinence, Erectile Dysfunction, Peyronie’s Disease, Genital Trauma, Buried Penis, adult complications of Hypospadias, Genital Lymphedema, and Urinary Tract Fistulae. Between 2017 – 2019, Dr. Witten joined the faculty at Oregon Health & Science University where he obtained extra training and experience in Gender-Affirming surgery in one of the highest-volume centers in the United States. He offers Gender-Affirming Vaginoplasty and Vulvoplasty, Orchiectomy, Metoidioplasty, and prosthesis placement after Phalloplasty. He offers post-phalloplasty urethral health consultations, care for complications of Phallopasty and other genital surgeries done elsewhere, as well as care for non-binary and gender non-conforming people. Dr. Witten is active in improving care in these areas through research and education. Dr. Witten is excited to return to Kentucky and Indiana and join First Urology and the University of Louisville School of Medicine as assistant clinical professor of urology.