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UNC School of Medicine

Mary Elizabeth Westerman

Mary Elizabeth Westerman, MD, is a UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member and urologic oncologist, with interests in advancing treatment strategies for complex urologic cancers including bladder, kidney, prostate and testicular cancers.

MD, FACS
Associate Professor, Urology
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program

For patients: UNC Health profile

Area of Interest

I specialize in the field of urologic oncology, with particular emphasis on advancing treatment strategies for complex urologic cancers including bladder, kidney, prostate, and testicular cancers. My area of interest is improving outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for urologic cancer by incorporating quality-improvement and process improvement interventions. Additionally, I am focused on improving access to clinical trials for all patients with urologic cancers.

I have been the site PI or co-Investigator on numerous NCI Cooperative group clinical trials as well as served in numerous leadership roles including the Patient Reported Outcomes Co-Chair for the ARCHER cooperative trial, studying adaptive chemotherapy and radiation for muscle invasive bladder cancer.

My long-term career goal is to bridge the gap between research and clinical application, enhancing the quality of care for cancer patients through the integration of innovative treatment approaches and patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials. I aim to achieve this by:

  1. Advancing adaptive therapy approaches in urologic oncology
  2. Expanding access to clinical trials and engaging stakeholders to patient-reported outcomes
  3. Innovating minimally invasive surgical techniques to optimize patient recovery

Find publications on PubMed

Awards and Honors

  • Top Doctors, Castle Connolly, 2024, 2025
  • Top 3% of Urology Research All-Stars, Avant Garde, 2024
  • Reviewer of the Year, European Urology, 2021
  • Reviewer of the Month, European Urology, 2021
  • Best Abstract, Women in Urologic Oncology (WUO), 2020
  • Harold C. and Mary L. Dailey Endowment Fellowship, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020
  • 3rd place, Minnesota Urologic Society Kelailis Essay Contest, 2018
  • 3rd place, Mayo Clinic Joseph W. Segura Annual Essay Contest, 2017
  • John D. McConnell Award for Excellence in Urology, UT Southwestern, 2014
  • Alpha Omega Alpha, Junior Inductee, 2013
  • President’s Volunteer Service Award- Bronze, 2012 K
  • Kenyon Jones Award, Dartmouth College, 2008
  • Academic All-American, US Lacrosse-Women’s Division, 2007, 2008
  • Dean’s Award for Service to the College, Dartmouth College, 2007
Headshot of Mary Elizabeth Westerman.