Professor of Urology UAB-Heersink SoM | HoLEP Fanatic | URPS | Husband | Father | Angler | Likely Not A Good Person | Views/Language are mine
Joined November 2013
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- Followers 5,260
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817 Photos and videos
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26 Oct 2025
We did a thing recently. All shared with patient permission.
979cc prostate with recurrent gross hematuria requiring transfusion and obstructive uropathy. <2 hours enucleation time. Home <48 hours later. @UABUrology is making waves!
Enucleation is the answer!
#allsizesfitone
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Brilliant insights into the real limitations of WATER III. As I said at #AUA2026 I think we are comparing a filet mignon to a banana. They are just not the same things.
Jun 8
I fully agree with this assessment on the Water III study pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4224…
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
This is what 200 HoLEP cases looks like 😅👇
Wide open fossa.
HoLEP is easy… after the first couple hundred cases! Proud to have established the HoLEP program at @UTMBUrology and thankful for everyone who helped make this milestone possible.@jfunkmd 🙏💫
Congratulations to Dr. @BilalFarhanMD at @UTMBUrology on his 200th HoLEP procedure using the Lumenis Pulse™ 120H with MOSES 2.0 technology!
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Farhan on this incredible milestone.
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 30
Prostate volume doesn't reliably predict obstruction — and we've known it for decades. A new open-access review in PCAN introduces a new concept: periurethral and transition-zone fibrosis is an under-recognised, untreated driver of LUTS/BPH.
The case for antifibrotics: pirfenidone, losartan, PDE5-i, even halofuginone. nature.com/articles/s41391-0…
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 22
Kyle Wood, M.D., MBA, has reached an exciting milestone!
He has completed his 150th SURE procedure, and @UABHeersink Dept. of Urology is proud to have him on our team, advancing care for patients with complex kidney stones.
@drkyledavidwood @uabmedicine
ALT A clinician stands in front of a gray wall holding a CVAC aspiration device connected to a long flexible catheter used for minimally invasive removal of kidney stones.
ALT Two clinicians stand in front of a gray wall holding components of a CVAC aspiration system, including a handheld suction device and a long flexible catheter used in minimally invasive kidney stone procedures.
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 18
“Interesting comparison from today’s discussion on HoLEP vs robotic simple prostatectomy.
In LATAM, HoLEP still stands out as the smartest option: excellent outcomes, shorter hospital stay, lower complication rates, and most importantly, far better cost-efficiency for our healthcare systems and patients. 🇱🇷⚕️
High-value medicine matters.”
#AUA26
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
Why I am committed to # H..O..L..E..P.
Because of this👇🏼👌🏻
@jfunkmd 🙏
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 18
One important practical point from this review: most anticoagulated BPH patients can safely undergo temporary interruption of anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy with proper multidisciplinary planning.
For the majority of patients, short perioperative holds of DOACs or warfarin are feasible and may reduce bleeding complications without significantly increasing thromboembolic risk.
The real challenge is identifying the small subgroup in whom anticoagulation cannot be interrupted — and in those patients, procedures with superior hemostasis (HoLEP, ThuLEP, GreenLight PVP, sometimes PAE) become especially valuable.
#AUA26
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May 18
Treat BEFORE radiation. Any patient with an IPSS >10 should have pre-XRT Discussion of the merits of an outlet procedure. Post-XRT exercise extreme caution and set realistic expectations.
May 18
Managing LUTS after prostate radiation requires extreme caution before offering surgery.
Many post-radiation urinary symptoms improve over time or with conservative management alone. Once you operate on irradiated tissue, complication rates can be significant: incontinence, strictures, calcifications, necrosis, fistula, and need for repeat procedures.
Some series report post-TURP incontinence rates approaching 20–30%, and even higher complication rates with implants in previously radiated patients.
The key is honest counseling and balancing quality of life vs complications. Just because we can operate doesn’t always mean we should.
And perhaps the most important lesson: treat symptomatic BPH before radiation whenever possible.
#AUA26
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 17
Thought provoking presentation from @MazenMansour332 on the benefits of sacral neuromodulation in men with obstructive symptoms from smaller prostates #BPH #OveractiveBladder #MensHealth @SocietyofBPD @sufuorg
@AmerUrological @CleClinicUro
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 18
Honored and deeply grateful to receive the Secretary’s Commendation for Global Leadership from the American Urological Association (@AmerUrological). This recognition would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my incredible team and my family, whose dedication, trust, and encouragement inspire me every day. Together, we will continue advancing collaboration, education, and innovation in urology worldwide. Thank you for this meaningful honor.
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May 18
Wonderful course and huge attendance! Let’s run it back next year #AUA2027
May 18
A packed house this morning for our Prostate Enucleation course!!!
So many practicing enucleators, very encouraging about the future of this awesome procedure.
Thanks to Akhil Das, @amy_krambeck, @ChrisManakas, @jfunkmd for making this a success!
#AUA26 @AmerUrological
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May 17
These are my people. If I can give a single piece of advice to young urologists. Find a diverse group of like minded people who will be in your corner. Always. ❤️
Another AUA, another Idiots of Urology dinner. Pretty much the only reason why I come to the conference…and with matching shirts too! @drrachelrubin @jfunkmd @KeithKow @RRGonzalezMD @kjdelay1 @CaseySeidemanMD @clavelluro @CanesDavid @ryanmauckmd #AUA2026
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
Excellent attendance at the #BPH surgical tech sessions #AUA2026 @AmerUrological
Audience was engaged and informed! @UroLori @MaleHealthDoc @DrDeanElterman @BradGillMD @Dr_KevinZorn @jfunkmd @SocietyofBPD
May 15
@MaleHealthDoc presenting 3 year @LABORIEMEDICAL #TURBO #optilumeBPH outcomes #AUA2026 - never seen before QMAX improvements for #MIST. ZERO sexual/ejacltn impact. Fast recovery. Also learnt from #BPH GURU = “if you don’t have CONFLICT, you don’t have INTEREST”- stay curious! 🧐
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 15
Very impressive John K. Lattimer Lecture: Transurethral Robotic en-bloc
TURBT- Challenging the Status
Quo by @jteoh_hk
#bladdercancer surgeons must take note. #aua26
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 15
Dr. Cole presenting @PECenucleate study on epididymo-orchitis as a complication of LEP with style! @urmed_urology
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
May 14
UAB Medicine has combined many types of health care services to form the Men’s Health Clinic, where a team of physicians and surgeons from the @UABHeersink Department of Urology treat some of the most common men’s medical conditions. @uabmedicine
📰 : buff.ly/UrO8nmv
ALT Medical exam room scene showing a clinician in a white UAB Medicine coat holding a diagnostic device with a cord while standing beside a patient lying on an exam table. The patient rests with hands folded on their abdomen as medical equipment and a computer are visible nearby. Overlaid green text reads: “ADVANCED CARE at UAB Men’s Health Clinic.”
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I’ll be there tomorrow. Come join us!
May 12
Are you interested in enhancing your enucleation and morcellation technique?
Join @richardwolfusa and @bsc_urology at the upcoming HoLEP & Morcellation Hands-on Workshop at the @AmerUrological Annual Meeting. Experience the seamless integration of the SHARK meets PIRANHA system firsthand. We have a tremendous faculty lineup and a special guest appearance by @jfunkmd
🗓️ Friday, May 15 | 10:45 AM – 1:15 PM ET
📍 Hands-on Training Pavilion, Trailer 2
Space is limited; pre-registration is not required but highly recommended. Secure your spot here: brnw.ch/21x2nDE
@BristolWhiles @AustenSlade @RebeccaGerberMD @SpencerHiller
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
Congratulations to Dr. Denzel Zhu (PGY-4) and co-authors on the acceptance of their manuscript, "Shrinking the Target: How Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) Reduces Bladder Radiation in Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy", for publication in Canadian Urological Association Journal (CUAJ)!🎉
@denzel_zhu @CarlCeraolo @squarrier #URMC #Urology #Research #Medicine #Residency
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Joel Funk MD FACS retweeted
Apr 10
John Knight, Ph.D., and Kyle Wood, M.D., were featured in a new article from the Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship highlighting UAB innovation in kidney care. @UABHeersink
Read the full story: buff.ly/AQV0TyG
ALT Graphic titled “Innovating for Better Outcomes: UAB Advances Kidney Care” featuring headshots labeled John Knight, Ph.D., and Kyle Wood, M.D., with Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship branding.
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Huge couple of days @UABUrology as we broke in our new @richardwolfusa #SMP enucleation sets and Piranha morcellators. Huge shout to @bigdave7455 for the support and to the leadership at UAB st Vincent’s for believing in what we are building!!
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