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Matthew Nielsen, MD, MS, assistant professor of urology and adjunct assistant professor of epidemiology and health policy & management, has been named director of urologic oncology in the UNC Department of Urology. In his new role, he joins Matthew Milowsky, MD, associate professor of medicine, as co-director of the Multidisciplinary Genitourinary Oncology Service at the N.C. Cancer Hospital.

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Matthew Nielsen, MD, MS

“From exceptional patient care and student mentorship to collaborative research accomplishments and administrative leadership, Dr. Nielsen excels at it all,” said Raj S. Pruthi, MD, FACS, professor and chair of the UNC Department of Urology. “For nearly the past six years, he has achieved national recognition for his leadership ability as well as internal accolades for his keen skills in teaching and education. As a department, we are excited to transition Dr. Nielsen into this new role and build upon the many achievements he has already brought to the cancer center and our patients.”

Alongside his busy clinical practice, his research program, which focuses on cancer care quality, clinical epidemiology and medical decision making, has resulted in over 100 manuscripts and book chapters. This work has been supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American Cancer Society, and was nationally recognized by the Rising Stars in Urology Research Award from the Urology Care Foundation/Astellas. He has numerous ongoing collaborations across the UNC School of Medicine and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, as well as with investigators at multiple institutions throughout the U.S. and in Europe. In addition to his own work, he has a strong track record of mentoring junior investigators at UNC, resulting in many local and national awards and recognitions for mentees.

Dr. Nielsen said, “Thanks to Dr. Pruthi’s visionary leadership in establishing the Multidisciplinary GU Oncology Program over a decade ago, we are fortunate to enjoy an exceptionally collegial, close collaboration with our colleagues in medical oncology, radiation oncology and other affiliated disciplines, bringing to bear the full spectrum of treatment options towards the goal of individualized, patient-centered care. We are grateful to have the opportunity to serve the people of North Carolina and are committed to maintain and build upon the tradition of excellence in urologic oncology at UNC Cancer Care.”

Nielsen completed his medical school training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and his residency training at the Brady Urological Institute of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 2009, he was appointed assistant professor of urologic surgery at UNC. He was appointed to the adjunct faculty in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in the Departments of Epidemiology in 2012 and Health Policy and Management in 2014. Nationally, he serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee of the American Urological Association, and the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement Outcomes Ad Hoc Committee.