TUCSON, Ariz. – Two new clinical practitioners have joined the Banner – University Medicine and University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson urology team, Sunchin Kim, MD, and Cara Whittingham, NP.
Returning to Tucson where he completed his residency training, Dr. Kim also has been appointed an assistant professor in the UArizona Department of Urology. He specializes in trauma and reconstructive urology, general urology and robotic surgery.
A nurse practitioner, Whittingham specializes in general urology such as kidney stones, hematuria, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, prostate issues, erectile dysfunction and elevated PSA – a protein made by cells in the prostate gland that can suggest the possibility of prostate cancer.
Dr. Kim and Whittingham will see patients at the Banner – University Medicine Primary Care Clinic, 8020 N. Cortaro Road, #150, Tucson, AZ 85743.
Dr. Kim received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and most recently finished a fellowship in genitourinary (genital and urinary organ) reconstruction at the University of California, San Diego.
Whittingham has been with Banner – University Medical Center North for two years and is expanding her services to the Cortaro location.
Urology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the urinary tract system and male reproductive organs.
The UArizona/Banner urology team sees patients with kidney stones, overactive bladders and incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, urinary tract infections, sexual dysfunction, prostate-related issues such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate gland enlargement), urologic cancer and treating children with pediatric urology issues.
Banner – University Medicine offers minimally invasive robotic surgery for urological issues with specially trained surgeons who can make dime-sized incisions resulting in less pain and a faster recovery time. Examples include:
- Robotic surgery for prostate cancer
- Removal of kidney tumors, called a partial nephrectomy
- Removal of ureter blockages
- Removal of all or parts of the bladder, called a cystectomy
To schedule appointments with a urology specialist at the Cortaro Road clinic, please call 520-694-4032.
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A version of this story appeared originally on the Banner Health website.
NOTE: Images available here – https://arizona.box.com/s/1q2tldoy64hiyqs6t7ruao76kq6qpp31.
About the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson is shaping the future of medicine through state-of-the-art medical education programs, groundbreaking research and advancements in patient care in Arizona and beyond. Founded in 1967, the college boasts more than 50 years of innovation, ranking among the top medical schools in the nation for research and primary care. Through the university's partnership with Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country, the college is leading the way in academic medicine. For more information, visit medicine.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn).
About the University of Arizona Health Sciences
The University of Arizona Health Sciences is the statewide leader in biomedical research and health professions training. UArizona Health Sciences includes the Colleges of Medicine (Tucson and Phoenix), Nursing, Pharmacy, and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, with main campus locations in Tucson and the Phoenix Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix. From these vantage points, Health Sciences reaches across the state of Arizona, the greater Southwest and around the world to provide next-generation education, research and outreach. A major economic engine, Health Sciences employs nearly 5,000 people, has approximately 4,000 students and 900 faculty members, and garners $200 million in research grants and contracts annually. For more information: uahs.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram).