Upstate New York State’s Largest Pediatric Urology Practice Continues to Grow
The University of Rochester Medical Center’s (URMC) Department of Urology was one of the first departments in the country to establish a pediatric urology practice. Today, it is the largest, most experienced pediatric urology practice in the Upstate New York State region, and it continues to grow.
The practice was created under the leadership of Ronald Rabinowitz, MD, FAAP, FACS, an internationally renowned expert in pediatric urology and a mentor to generations of urologists. In addition to Rabinowitz, the Golisano Children’s Hospital practice also boasts Jimena Cubillos, MD, an expert in minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic pediatric urology, and David A. Diamond, MD, who conducts clinical care, research, and teaching.
As was the basis when the practice was founded, the team remains committed to caring for children exclusively, understanding that young people require vastly different care than adults. Comprehensive care provided includes neurogenic bladder, voiding dysfunction and vesicoureteral reflux, prenatal hydronephrosis, testicular torsion, varicoceles, hypospadias, meatal stenosis, penile deformities, kidney abnormalities, and urinary tract infections.
Experts in pediatric urologic cancer, the team also works closely with physicians at the Wilmot Cancer Center, the area's most respected cancer center.
Making an immediate impact
In September 2024, the team expanded with the addition of Victor Kucherov, MD. He was drawn to pediatric urology because it allowed him to conduct surgery and medical management and make an immediate impact by improving a child’s quality of life.
After earning his medical degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, he completed his residency in Urology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and his fellowship in Pediatric Urology at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
Kucherov came back to practice in the URMC Department of Urology due to his time studying under William Hulbert, MD, and witnessing the collaborative spirit of the team. As a newcomer, he is not afraid of bouncing ideas off his more experienced colleagues.
“As a medical student, Bill Hulbert was an inspiration to me and my career,” Kucherov said. “I saw how the providers here treat each patient as if they are the whole practice’s patient. Now, as part of the team, I am seeing firsthand how URMC Urology is collaborative in a way that other programs are not.”
“The Department is in a great place and well-positioned to continue to grow, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” he added. “I look forward to helping the practice get to the next level.”
Providing care where it is needed
Adding Victor Kucherov is part of the Department’s strategy to build on its leadership in pediatric urology. That includes making sure that patients across Upstate New York State, including Rochester and the Southern Tier region, have access to the pediatric care they need.
"Dr. Kucherov's expertise, kindness, and teamwork make him an exceptional fit for our Division, earning praise from families, colleagues, and staff,” said Rabinowicz.
“Children have unique urologic challenges, with congenital abnormalities among the most common,” said URMC Department of Urology Chair Jean Joseph, MD. “Ron Rabinowitz, the pillar of our practice, recognized this need when he built the specialty decades ago. Now, we are building on that foundation by expanding our team to continue providing the best possible care for children.”