Urologic Cancer Care at University Hospitals Entering New Era

Innovations in Urology | Spring 2024

Adam Calaway, MD, MPH, New Division Chief

“Now that we have a strong team assembled, we want to move beyond being a very good place to get care in Northeastern Ohio to providing regional and national expertise in urologic cancer care,” says University Hospital’s Adam Calaway, MD, MPH.

Adam Calaway, MD

Dr Calaway, a board certified urologic oncologist, has recently been promoted to Division Chief, Urologic Oncology, UH Urology Institute. When Dr. Calaway joined UH five years ago, he says few clinicians had his specialized expertise, and he was part of a relatively small team. Since then, the Urologic Oncology Division has grown significantly, and as Division Chief, he has ambitious plans and goals going forward.

Looking to the Future

“We have a robust urologic cancer team of young, motivated clinicians with a diverse set of interests and skill sets,” says Dr. Calaway. “It’s not just about the clinical work. We’re focused on promoting ourselves and furthering the field, working as a cohesive, supportive division with common goals for improving patient care and outcomes, contributing to the academic literature and aggressively opening and enrolling patients in clinical trials.”

One of Dr. Calaway’s primary goals is to work collaboratively with colleagues within the urologic cancer disease team of surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists to improve patient care. He says each of these teams has also undergone an evolution over the past several years, and all have strong teams of leaders in their respective areas of expertise.

“What’s important now is that the urologic cancer division is turning into — and needs to turn into — a very focused, multidisciplinary effort to offer patients the most appropriate care for their particular cancer,” Dr. Calaway. “Although I’m a surgeon, sometimes surgery is not always what’s called for; sometimes patients need combinations of therapy.

“We’re moving toward being more proactive in our care, selecting and offering treatment based on individual patients, not just on historical data, with the goal of achieving better outcomes. Taking a multidisciplinary approach also helps minimize morbidities, side effects and complications in getting patients to their end goal.”

The Making of a Urologic Cancer Specialist

Dr. Calaway, a native Ohioan, earned his medical degree at the University of Toledo Medicine, where he graduated top of his class. He completed his residency and fellowship in urologic oncology at Indiana University and earned a master’s degree in Public Health and Epidemiology from Purdue University. Dr. Calaway says he has always been drawn to surgery.

“I love the scope of surgery. We have so much variety in techniques, complexity and levels of invasiveness within urology. There’s a lot to do within the surgical subspecialty. And when I met other clinicians in the field, I felt I fit right in.”

Dr. Calaway said cancer care also piqued his interest, so that’s where he gravitated as a specialty. But, more importantly, he found it rewarding.

“I see on a daily basis how much I can impact an individual’s life. Everyone is so vulnerable when they hear that ‘C’ word. Sometimes a patient’s condition is grave, but even when it’s not, you still have to treat it as an important situation for that patient. We help patients navigate through a time in their lives when they’re probably feeling vulnerable and they don’t know very much about their disease, so they’re looking to us for guidance. It’s pretty rewarding, helping people through tough times and working toward better outcomes.”

Lee Ponsky, MD, FACS, Professor and Chairman, UH Urology Institute, says he is thrilled to have Dr. Calaway as Chief of the Division of Urologic Oncology.

“His appointment signifies a pivotal moment for our institute, as he embodies excellence in clinical practice, research and leadership. Dr. Calaway has demonstrated commitment, vision and collaborative spirit make him an invaluable asset to our team, and we’re excited to witness the innovative strides he will lead us toward in the field of urologic oncology.”

For more information about the Urologic Cancer Division, contact Dr. Calaway at 216-286-6617.

Contributing Expert:
Adam Calaway, MD, MPH
Division Chief, Urologic Oncology
UH Urology Institute
Assistant Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine