Bladder Cancer Expert, Known for her Medical Missions in Ukraine, Returns to University Hospitals Urology Institute and UH Seidman Cancer Center

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Jeannine A. Denholm
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Email: Jeannine.Denholm@UHhospitals.org

Laura Bukavina, MD, MPH,MSc

CLEVELAND -  After two years away, Laura Bukavina, MD, MPH, MSc  is returning to University Hospitals (UH). A former Case Western Reserve University and UH Cleveland Medical Center Urology Resident, Dr. Bukavina has recently completed a prestigious fellowship in urologic oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. At UH, she will operate as a member of the UH Urology Institute/UH Seidman Cancer Center urologic oncology team, where she’ll specialize in the care of patients with bladder, kidney, penile, and prostate cancer.

Dr. Bukavina is a recipient of multiple grants and awards for her dedication to bladder and kidney cancer research, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Data for Action, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Young Investigator, American Urologic Association (AUA) Research Scholar and Society of Women in Urology (SWIU) Elizabeth Pickett Award. She has been recognized for her research evaluating interplay between genetics, microbiome and tumor microenvironment. Further, her recognition by the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) as one of the Top Women in Cancer Research underscores her standing as a pioneering figure among women cancer surgeon scientists.

In addition to her surgeon scientist role, Dr. Bukavina is an associate editor for European Urology, a Society of Urologic Oncology board member, and a member of the Urology Times editorial board – all focused on advancing the surgical and scientific frontier of urologic oncology and clinical trial development.

“At University Hospitals, I received exceptional training and built a medical family that allowed me to pursue my clinical and research passions. I found it only logical to return to the team that will allow me to provide innovative, compassionate care to patients across Ohio,” said Dr. Bukavina.

Dr. Bukavina was born in Ukraine and raised in Cleveland. She regularly invests time and effort into various volunteer missions, with the primary aim of augmenting surgical skills and raising healthcare awareness in Ukraine. In mid-October, she will be making her next trip to Ukraine with University Hospitals reconstructive urologists, Shubham Gupta, MD, FACS and Kirtishri Mishra, MD to offer surgical care to combat trauma patients in dire need of advanced pelvic reconstruction. Read more about their trip here.

“It’s such a thrill to have Dr. Bukavina back in Cleveland. An individual with her level of clinical and academic talent could’ve made any number of extraordinary medical centers her home,” said Lee Ponsky, MD, FACS, Professor and Chairman, UH Urology Institute and Leo & Charlotte Goldberg Chair in Advanced Surgical Therapies. “Dr. Bukavina will bring unique bladder and kidney cancer expertise to the UH Urology Institute, UH Seidman Cancer Center and the people of Northeast Ohio. I look forward to working alongside her in her professional and philanthropic pursuits.”

Dr. Bukavina earned her medical degree at Northeast Ohio Medical University, her Master of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins and her Master of Immunology at Drexel University. She completed her urologic residency training at Case Western Reserve and UH. In addition, she has received extensive training in complex kidney cancer care, serving as expert panelist on Society of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Guideline Committee for renal cell carcinoma.