Urology

Fellowship faculty

Elizabeth Boettcher Yerkes, MD

Elizabeth Boettcher Yerkes, MD, is Attending Physician in the Division of Urology at Children's Memorial Hospital and Assistant Professor of Urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Yerkes received her medical degree from Vanderbilt University and residency training in general and urologic surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She completed her residency in pediatric urology at the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Yerkes served in the United States Navy Reserve, Medical Corps, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with active duty at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. She received her honorable discharge in 2005.

Dr. Yerkes belongs to numerous professional societies including the American Urological Society, Society for Pediatric Urology, Society for Fetal Urology, and the North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Her professional service includes appointments as reviewer for the Journal of Urology and to the editorial board for Dialogues in Pediatric Urology. Dr. Yerkes has published numerous articles, reviews, and book chapters, including over 25 original peer-reviewed articles, and she has lectured extensively on pediatric urology. Her primary interests include complex congenital genitourinary anomalies, female genital tract obstruction, disorders of sex development, neurogenic bladder and hypospadias.

Selected Recent Publications

1. Yerkes EB. Urologic issues in the pediatric and adolescent gynecology patient. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of America. In press, 2009.
2. Mickelson JJ, Cheng EY, Yerkes EB. Urologic issues of the pediatric spina bifida patient: a review of the genitourinary concerns and urologic care during childhood and adolescence.  Pediatric Rehabilitative Medicine. In press, 2008.
3. Hamoui N, Maizels M, Cheng EY, Yerkes EB, Kaplan WE, Chaviano AH, Shore R, Hagerty JA. DMSA Scans Enhance Renal Ultrasound Findings in Children with VUR and/or UTI's. Accepted for Publication, J Urol.
4. Maizels M, Yerkes EB, Macejko A, Habermacher GM, Hagerty J, Chaviano AH, Cheng EY, Liu D, Sarwark JP, Corcoran JF, Meyer T, Kaplan WE. A New Computer Enhanced Visual Learning (CEVL) Method to Train Urology Residents in Pediatric Orchiopexy: A New Paradigm Which is ACGME Ready. Accepted for Publication, J Urol.
5. Macejko AM, Cheng EY, Yerkes EB, Meyer T, Bowman RM, Kaplan WE. Clinical urological outcomes following primary tethered cord release in children younger than 3 years. J Urol 178: 1738-1742, 2007.24

Antonio Chaviano, MD

Antonio Chaviano, MD, is Attending Physician in the Division of Urology at Children's Memorial Hospital. Dr. Chaviano received his medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed residency training in general surgery at Rush Presbyterian Medical Center, urology residency at University of Chicago Hospital, and a fellowship in pediatric urology at Children's Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University. Dr. Chaviano is also a consultant physician at Shriner's Children's Hospital in Chicago, IL. He is Assistant Professor of Urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Dr. Chaviano belongs to numerous professional and scientific societies including the Society for Pediatric Urology, Society for Fetal Urology, American Association of Clinical Urologists, Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, and the American Association of Pediatric Urologists. His community service includes humanitarian missions for the International Volunteers in Urology and Global Health Partners.

Dr. Chaviano has published numerous articles and book chapters and has lectured extensively on pediatric urology. His primary interests include urological reconstruction, hypospadias, hydronephrosis, and fetal urology

Selected Recent Publications

1. Papali AF, Alpert SA, Edmondson JD, Maizels M, Yerkes EB, Hagerty JA, Chaviano AH, Kaplan WE. A review of pediatric glans malformations: A handy clinical reference. Journal of Urology. 2008 Oct. 180: 1737-1742.
2. Maizels M, Yerkes EB, Macejko A, Hagerty J, Chaviano AH, Cheng EY, Liu D, Sarwark JP, Corcoran JF, Meyer T, Kaplan WE. A new computer enhanced visual learning method to train urology residents in pediatric orchiopexy: a prototype for accreditation council for graduate medical education documentation. Journal of Urology. 2008 Oct. 180: 1814-1818.
3. Hamoui N, Hagerty, JA, Maizels M, Yerkes EB, Chaviano A, Shore R, Kaplan WE, Cheng EY. Ultrasound fails to delineate significant renal pathology in children with urinary tract infections: a case for dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy. Journal of Urology. 2008 Oct. 180: 1639-1642.
4. Saldano DD, Chaviano AH, Maizels M. Sustainability of remission of pediatric primary nocturnal enuresis: comparison of remission using a Try for Dry treatment plan vs other plans. Urologic Nursing. 2008 August.
5. Erickson BA, Maizels M, Shore RM, Pazona JF, Hagerty JA, Yerkes EB, Chaviano AH, Kaplan WE, Cheng EY. Newborn society of fetal urology grade 3 hydronephrosis is equivalent to preserved percentage differential function. Journal of Pediatric Urology, Volume 3, October 2007.

Earl Y. Cheng, MD

Earl Y. Cheng, MD, is Attending Physician in the Division of Urology at Children's Memorial Hospital and Associate Professor of Urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Cheng received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from Northwestern University. He completed residency training at Northwestern University Medical School where he received the Leader Riba award for outstanding resident. Following residency, he completed a fellowship in pediatric urology at Children's Memorial Hospital during which he was named a scholar of the American Foundation for Urologic Disease and participated in a physician/scientist training grant from the NIH. After fellowship, he stayed at Northwestern University Medical School and Children's Memorial Hospital from 1996-1998 as an assistant professor and established a basic science Pediatric Urology Research Laboratory at Children's Memorial. From 1998-2002 Dr. Cheng was at the Children's Hospital of Oklahoma and Oklahoma University Medical Center, where he also served as an assistant professor of urology. Dr. Cheng returned to Northwestern and Children's Memorial Hospital in 2002.

Dr. Cheng is member of numerous societies including the Society for Pediatric Urology, American Academy of Pediatrics, Society of Fetal Urology, and American College of Surgeons. He is the author of over 80 papers, invited articles, and book chapters. Dr. Cheng currently serves or served as a member of the Society of Pediatric Urology Executive Committee, the Executive Committee of the Section of Urology of the American Association of Pediatrics, the Exam Committee of the American Board of Urology, the Editorial Committee of the Journal of Urology, and the Professional Advisory Council of the Spina Bifida Association of America. His areas of special interest include complex urinary tract reconstruction, surgical management of the neurogenic bladder, genital reconstruction, and laparoscopy.

Dr. Cheng's research is in the areas of tissue engineering and bladder physiology. He is currently collaborating with Dr. Samuel Stupp, a leader in the field of nanotechnology and Dr. Arun Sharma who heads the Basic Science Laboratory for Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine. They are investigating different methods of promoting tissue specific regeneration in the urinary tract with an emphasis on bladder regeneration. Dr. Cheng has previously received a R-21 grant from the NIH evaluating the potential use of nanodesigned polymer scaffolds with novel tissue engineering techniques to regenerate bladder tissue.

Selected Recent Publications

1. Lewis JM, Cheng EY, Campbell J, Kropp BP, Kropp K, Liu D, Kaplan WE. Complete excision or marsupialization of ureteroceles: does choice of surgical approach affect outcome. J of Urol. 2008;180:1819-1823.
2. Hamoui, N., Hagerty, J.A., Maizels, M., Yerkes, E.B., Chaviano, A., Shore, R., Kaplan, W.E., and Cheng E.Y.: Ultrasound fails to delineate significant renal pathology in children with urinary tract infections: a case for dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy. J. of Urol., 180: 1639-1642, 2008.
3. Harrington DA, Sharma AK, Erickson BA, Cheng EY. Bladder tissue engineering through nanotechnology.  World J Urol. 2008;26:315-322.
4. Matoka DJ, Cheng EY. Tissue engineering in urology. Can Urol Assoc J. 2009;3(5):403-408.
5. Cheng EY.  PIC cystography. an effective test for the diagnosis of clinically significant occult reflux. J  Urol. 2009;182(4):1264-1265.
6. Sharma AK, Fuller NJ, Sullivan RR, Fulton N, Hota PV, Harrington DA, Villano J, Hagerty JA, Cheng EY. Defined populations of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem and endothelial progenitor cells for bladder regeneration. J Urol. 2009;182(4 Suppl):1898-905.
7. Mickelson JJ, Yerkes EB, Meyer T, Kropp BP, Cheng EY. L stent for stomal stenosis in catherizable channels. J Urol. 2009;182(4 Suppl):1786-91.
8. Sharma AK, Hota PV, Matoka DJ, Fuller NJ, Jandali D, Thaker H, Ameer GA, Cheng EY. Urinary bladder smooth muscle regeneration utilizing bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell seeded elastomeric poly (1,8-octanediol-co-citrate) based thin films. Biomaterials. 2010;31(24):6207-17.

William E. Kaplan, MD

William E. Kaplan, MD, is Attending Physician and Division Head of Urology at Children's Memorial Hospital. Dr. Kaplan received his medical degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago and completed residency training in both general surgery and urology at the University of Illinois Medical Center. He also completed a residency in urology at the University of Chicago Hospital and Clinic. Dr. Kaplan then completed his fellowship in pediatric urology at Children's Memorial Hospital and the Northwestern University School of Medicine. He served as Assistant Surgeon-in-Chief at Children's Memorial in 1998. He is Professor of Urology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Dr. Kaplan's numerous professional affiliations and memberships include the American Urological Society, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Society of Pediatric Urology, Spina Bifida Association of America, International Continence Society, Urodynamics Society, and the International Urogynecological Society. He also serves on the Technology Assessment Council of the American Urological Association, Inc., and is Expert Reviewer for Journal of Urology.

Dr. Kaplan has published and lectured extensively on pediatric urology and is the recipient of numerous research grants. His primary interests include neurogenic bladder, genital/urinary tract reconstruction, hypospadias, and hydronephrosis; his fields of specialization include pediatric urology, pediatric neurourology and urodynamics, and pediatric genitourinary reconstruction.

Selected Recent Publications

1. Hagerty JA, Maizels M, Kirsch AJ, Liu D, Afshar K, Bukowski T, Caione P, Homsy Y, Meyer T, Kaplan WE. Treatment of occult reflux lowers the incidence rate of pediatric febrile UTI. Accepted for publication: Urology.
2. Papali AF, Alpert SA, Edmondson JD, Maizels M, Yerkes EB, Hagerty JA, Chaviano AH, Kaplan WE. A review of pediatric glans malformations: A handy clinical reference. Accepted for publication: Journal of Urology. 2008 October.
3. Desireeddi N, Liu D, Maizels M, Cheng EY, Rigsby C, Hagerty JA, Chaviano AH, Alpert S, Kaplan W. Magnet resonance arteriography/venography (MR-A/V) is not accurate enough to structure management of the pediatric impalpable testis. Accepted for publication: Journal of Urology. 2008 October.
4. Hamoui N, Maizels M, Cheng EY, Yerkes EB, Kaplan WE, Chaviano AH, Shore R, Hagerty JA. DMSA scans enhance ultrasound findings in children with VUR and/or UTI's. Accepted for publication: Journal of Urology. 2008 October.
5. Chaviano AH, Maizels M, Yerkes EB, Cheng EY, Hagerty J, Meyer T, Kaplan WE. Incidence based fetal urological counseling using the virtual pediatric urology registry: importance of insignificant fetal pyelectasis (Sonographically evident renal pelvis). Journal of Urology. 2007 Oct. 178: 1781-1785.

Bruce Lindgren, MD

Bruce Lindgren, MD, is attending physician in the Division of Urology and Director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Urological Surgery at Children's Memorial Hospital. Dr. Lindgren received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University and residency training in general surgery and urology at Loyola University Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in pediatric urology at Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Lindgren is also attending physician at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL, Saint Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, IL, and Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. He is Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, IL.

Dr. Lindgren belongs to numerous professional societies, holding fellowships with the American Academy of Pediatrics (Urology Section) and the Society for Pediatric Urology, and membership in the American Urological Association, Society of University Urologists, Society for Fetal Urology, Society for Pediatric Urology, Endourological Society, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, and the Minimally Invasive Robotic Association. He has published numerous articles and book chapters and has lectured extensively on pediatric urology, including several presentations on minimally-invasive and robotic-assisted pediatric surgery. His primary interests include minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic/robotic urological surgery, and hypospadias.

Selected Recent Publications

1. Weiser AC, Lindgren BW, Ritchey ML, Franco I.  Post-Operative Chylous Ascites Following Surgical Treatment for Wilms' Tumor: A Retrospective Analysis of NWTS 3 and 4. J Urol. 2003;170(4, pt 2):1667-1669.
2. Meeks JJ, Hagerty JA, Lindgren BW. Pediatric Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Diverticulectomy. Urology. February 2009:299-301.
3. Moylan S, Armstrong J, Diaz-Saldano D, Saker M, Yerkes E, and Lindgren BW.  Are Abdominal Radiographs a Reliable Way to Assess Constipation? J Urol. October 2010:1692-1698.

Max Maizels, MD, MS

Max Maizels, MD, Professor of Urology, received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles, as well as an MS in Urology/Embryology from Northwestern University Medical School. He completed his surgical residency at Boston University Hospital and his residency in urology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He was also Kretschmer Fellow in Urology at Northwestern University Medical School and Children's Memorial Hospital. After residency, Dr. Maizels joined the Division of Urology at Children's Memorial Hospital and received his faculty appointment at the Northwestern University Medical School.

Dr. Maizels has spent almost three decades researching clinical pediatric urology including co-developing the Institute for Fetal Health at Children's Memorial Hospital; founding the nationally recognized Society for Fetal Urology, a platform to research fetal urological diagnoses; and establishing a treatment standard for primary nocturnal enuresis. He has also innovated the performance of office ultrasonography, created a practical computer database program for surgical procedures and postoperative management, and created a “living” database with over 1500 fetal cases to prognosticate newborn outcomes after fetal ultrasound diagnosis. His current project is the development of a platform for consistent, objective surgical training called CEVL (Computer Enhanced Visual Learning), an innovative, internet-based system to teach and evaluate the performance of urologic surgical procedures.

Dr. Maizels has published extensively including over 120 journal articles, book chapters and invited manuscripts. He is a member of numerous scientific societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Urological Association, and the Society for Pediatric Urology. He serves as editor on several journals, including expert reviewer for Urology and the Journal of Urology.

Selected Recent Publications

1. Maizels, M., Yerkes, E.B., Macejko, A., Hagerty, J., Chaviano, A.H., Cheng, E.Y., Liu, D., Sarwak, J.P., Corcoran, J.F., Mayer, T., Kaplan, W.E.:  A New Computer Enhanced Visual Learning Method to Train Urology Residents in Pediatric Orchidopexy:  A Prototype for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Documentation. 180: 1814-1918, 2008.
2. Diaz Saldano, D, Chaviano, AH, Maizels, M:  Sustainability of Remission of Pediatric Primary Nocturnal Enuresis:  Comparison of Remission Using a Try for Dry Treatment Plan vs. Other Plans. Urology Nursing 28:4, 263-6, 2008.
3. Hagerty, J.A., Maizels, M, Cheng, E.Y.:  The PIC Cystogram:  Its Place In The Algorithm of Recurrent Febrile UTI's.  Advances in Urology Article ID 763620, 4:10.1155/763620, 2008.
4. Hagerty, J., Maizels, M., Kirsch, A.J., Liu, D., Afshar, K., Bukowski., T, Caione, P., Homsy, Y., Meyer, T., Kaplan, W.E.:  Treatment of Occult Reflux Lowers the Incidence Rate of Pediatric Febrile UTI. Urology 72: 72-76, 2008.
5. Hamoui, N, Hagerty, J.A., Maizels, M, Yerkes, E.B., Chaviano, A, Shore, R, Kaplan, W.E. and Cheng, E.Y.:  Ultrasound fails to delineate significant renal pathology in children with acute pyelonephritis:  A case for DMSA  Journal of Urology Supplement. 180:1639-1642, 2008.
6. Maizels, Max, Saldano-Diaz, Dawn.:  Childhood Bed-wetting:  The Case for Combination Therapy.  Contemporary Urology, 18(4), 2007.
7. Liu, D, Maizels, M, Talbot, C, Yerkes, E, Cheng, E. Chaviano, A, Kaplan, W.: Unexpected Pyoureteronephrosis In Neonates with Ureteroceles Society for Fetal Urology International Maternal/Fetal Organization Volume 13, Number 1 Winter 2006.
8. Talbot, C., Maizels, M., Reynolds, M., Alden, T., Chaviano, A. Prenatally Diagnosed Anomalies Not Evident at Birth. The Child's Doctor. Spring, 2006.

Content last reviewed: May 2011