Centre for Functional Urology and Reconstructive Surgery
The Centre specializes in treating lower urinary tract disorders and advancing care in female pelvic medicine, genitourinary reconstruction, and gender affirmation surgery. Its multidisciplinary approach includes partnerships with urogynecology, plastic surgery, orthopedics, and rehabilitation specialists to drive innovative diagnostics, treatments, and research.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Vision
To be a globally recognized leader in translational research and innovative treatments leading to exemplary clinical care for patients with functional urologic conditions.
Our Mission
The Centre for Functional Urology and Reconstructive Surgery is comprised of subspecialty experts who focus on conditions that disrupt normal functioning of the urinary system. These disorders are often significantly detrimental to patient quality of life. Some of these common conditions include pelvic floor disorders following childbirth, incontinence after cancer treatments in both men and women, and bladder pain or infections which can debilitate otherwise healthy young people. Functional urologists also manage bladder issues that arise due to neurologic conditions such as spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis. Another area of expertise within the Centre focuses on gender affirmation reconstructive surgery. Our mission is to deliver world class research and care for patients suffering from any Functional Urology conditions.
Overview
The Centre includes subspecialist urologists with expertise in female pelvic medicine, genitourinary reconstruction, gender affirmation surgery, and urodynamics. Essential for diagnostics, a team of specialty trained nurses at Bladder Care Centre at UBC Hospital and at the Brenda & David McLean Integrated Spine Clinic at Blusson Spine Centre perform diagnostics and treatments for lower urinary tract disorders in both women and men. As with all complex conditions, collaboration across other Centres and specialties is essential for success in actualizing innovative treatments. The Centre partners with urogynecology, plastic surgery, orthopedics, and physiatry and rehabilitation medicine specialists in both the clinical and research arenas.
Research
The research focus for the Centre spans across several domains given the multifaceted nature of the Functional Urology subspecialty itself. In female pelvic medicine, collaboration efforts with our urogynecology colleagues regarding current and upcoming treatment options for women with pelvic floor disorders are underway. A proposed multidisciplinary clinic will unite top experts across fields to manage complex cases, drive advances in the field, and ultimately enhance healthcare for women across British Columbia. As well, a clinical trial is planned to assess novel noninvasive treatment options for women with urethral pain syndrome, a difficult to treat subtype of interstitial cystitis.
There are many opportunities for collaboration within the Institute. For instance, translational research partnerships are poised to combine expertise from uro-oncology with therapeutics development targeting tissue reconstruction such as for patients with urinary strictures.
Through philanthropic support, a pilot project has been successful in bringing the technology of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) to BC to help those who suffer from severe overactive bladder syndrome and incontinence. Given the untapped potential of SNM, there is great interest in exploring its application in the neurogenic bladder setting (such as for patients with spinal cord injury). To this end, Dr Kate Anderson is working with spine injury experts at ICORD (International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries) research foundation on novel lab based and clinical research projects. The ICORD teams have been successful in winning competitive national research grants via the Department of Defense. This work could pave the way to revolutionize neurogenic bladder management and is a high priority quality of life issue for these patients who currently have few treatment options.
Clinical
Dr Kate Anderson will serve as the Centre Director. She is a urologist with subspecialty fellowship training in female and functional urology, reconstructive pelvic surgery, neuro-urology, and urodynamics. Her clinical and research interests focus on sacral neuromodulation in the neurogenic bladder setting, health system changes to improve women’s access to urologic care, and novel treatments for incontinence. Other key members include Dr Alex Kavanagh and Dr Mark Nigro. Dr Kavanagh is a Clinical Associate Professor with a focus on reconstructive urology and gender affirmation surgery. Dr Nigro is a Clinical Professor who brings decades of experience to the Centre with special interest in neurogenic bladder and urologic prosthetics.
Leadership
Dr. Kate Anderson
Director, Clinical Assistant Professor