Urologic oncologist Kirsten L Greene, MD, helps patients with urologic cancer by focusing on minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques. She treats these conditions:
Also, Greene is dedicated to training the next generation of urologic oncologists in her role as chair of the urology department at UVA Health.
Meet a UVA Urologic Oncologist
1. Why did you become a doctor?
I always wanted to be a surgeon, even when I was little. We didn’t have anyone in the medical field in my family, so we could never figure out why I was so drawn to it, but it’s all I ever wanted to do. I found old photos of me dressed up as a surgeon for Halloween at age three.
2. Why did you choose your specialty?
Beyond wanting to be a surgeon, I have always wanted to be a cancer surgeon. I started out in general surgery and had planned to be a surgical oncologist until I happened to rotate on urology as an intern and realized what a wonderful field it is. But I switched residencies and became a urologist instead of a general surgeon.
3. What is your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
Everything. Because it’s a magical place to live and my husband and I love it.
Need a Urologic Oncologist?
Find more about UVA’s urology cancer treatments & clinical trials.
4. Where did you grow up?
All over the east coast, moving every 2-3 years. So, I went to high school in Newark, Delaware.
5. What’s the most exciting thing/research happening in urologic surgery and oncology right now?
PSMA PET (prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography) to identify prostate cancer and potentially treat recurrence. Also, HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) is very exciting as a way to treat prostate cancer with fewer side effects.
6. Who is your inspiration or hero?
My Mom. I lost her in 2014, and I still think about her every day. She was always proud of me and always on my side.
7. What’s your favorite thing about working at UVA?
My colleagues, everyone I work within the clinic and hospital, all of my patients. People here are genuinely kind. The world needs more of that, and I’m lucky to have found it at UVA.
Dr. Greene was the lead on my radical cystectomy/prostatectomy at UCSF July 28, 2010. She was, and obviously remains, a skilled and dedicated professional.. Her appointment to the Chair at UVA will benefit your facility greatly, and all who have occasion to rely on you, student or patient. After my surgery the nursing staff compliments on the appearance of the stoma were profuse, so I asked Dr. Greene who participated in that aspect. She said she did it and it was a piece of cake..Nice firm gut, she said, not all soft an squishy, thus adding two words to my medical vocabulary. My last meeting with her was for catheter removal and a reading of the path report which she described as ‘as good as it gets”. Distance precluded using her for follow-up, but it turns out her work made it possible for lesser mortals to keep me upright. At age 91 II’m giving the energizer bunny a little competition. If her penchant for pointed shoes persists, “kicking ass’ among the residents could have serious consequences..My best wishes for a long and successful tenure at UVA.