Kathy Ravanbakhsh, DO, FACOS, Receives Designation as UroLift® Center of Excellence

Bryan, TX, June 17, 2020— St. Joseph Health is proud to announce that Kathy Ravanbakhsh, DO, FACOS, of St. Joseph Health Urology Associates, recently received the Brazos Valley’s first designation of UroLift Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Ravanbakhsh has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift® System and has demonstrated a commitment to providing safe and exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. Dr. Ravanbakshs is the second female in Texas and the seventh in the nation to receive this designation as a Center of Excellence.

Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. As a Center of Excellence, Dr. Ravanbakshs is able to provide this revolutionary treatment to men in the Brazos Valley who are suffering from BPH.

The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences.

“This designation demonstrates the commitment that St. Joseph Health has to providing high-quality patient care. I am proud to be able to introduce the Urolift procedure to the Bryan-College Station community and offer patients an innovative minimally invasive treatment for BPH that can improve their quality of life tremendously. Patients no longer have to travel outside of the Brazos Valley for state-of-the-art new technology and it is really wonderful to be able to offer that to our community,” said Kathy Ravanbakhsh, DO, FACOS.

BPH is a common occurrence in men, affecting 70% of men over the age of 60, over half the men over age 50 begin to experience obstructive urinary symptoms due to enlarged prostate. Over 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Patients seeking minimally invasive treatment for BPH and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving treatment at a nationally recognized center of excellence that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care. Standards ensure that urology patients receive a multidisciplinary program at St. Joseph, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. The center of excellence offers a treatment designed specifically for patients.

About St. Joseph Health St. Joseph Health is comprised of five hospitals, two long term care facilities and multiple clinics across the Brazos Valley, including Regional Hospital in Bryan-College Station and St. Joseph Health – College Station Hospital (formerly College Station Medical Center). St. Joseph Health is home to a Level II Major Trauma Center, the highest in the region. St. Joseph Health is an academic and clinical partner of Texas A&M Health Science Center. Together, the St. Joseph and Texas A&M Health Network includes over 100 employed primary care physicians, specialists and advanced practice clinicians. As an active member of the Brazos Valley, St. Joseph Health is a leader in providing compassionate care and are committed to overall health of the community. We are part of CommonSpirit Health, the largest Catholic healthcare system in the United States, and is committed to advancing the health of all people and dedicated to serving the common good. Learn more about St. Joseph Health at CHIStJoseph.org.

[For more information, please contact Communications Manager Tracy Bates at 713-962-9347 or [email protected].]

About the UroLift® System The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com.