Henry Ford Doctor Receives Highest Award for Urology Surgeons

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DETROIT – Henry Ford Hospital Urologist Mani Menon, M.D., has been bestowed with the Keyes Medal, the highest award in urological surgery in the United States.

Dr. Menon, known internationally for his groundbreaking work in robotic surgery, is one of only 34 urologists to receive the award in the 130-year history of the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons (AAGUS), the oldest such society in the world.

Director of Henry Ford Health System’s Vattikuti Urology Institute, Dr. Menon was described as a “serial innovator and passionate educator” at the AAGUS ceremony April 8 in San Antonio, Texas.

“I feel very privileged to get this award,” says Dr. Menon. He credits his team at Henry Ford, and in particular Henry Ford surgeon James Peabody, M.D., for unstinted support. “We created the first program in the world dedicated to robotic surgery at Henry Ford Health System. Now, over 3 million people around the globe have benefitted from that decision in Detroit. None of that would have happened without the courage of the first patients, the philanthropic support of Raj Vattikuti and the total endorsement of Henry Ford leadership, in particular Henry Ford President Emeritus Gale Warden, Henry Ford Chief Executive Officer Nancy Schlichting and former Henry Ford Senior Vice President Vinod Sahney and former Henry Ford Medical Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Kelley, both who are now at Harvard.”

Dr. Menon, also honored by the American Urological Association, developed robotic prostatectomy for prostate cancer, a procedure that removes cancer from the prostate while offering a high probability of preserving sexual function and urinary control. His innovations have made robotic prostatectomy the surgical standard of care for prostate cancer. Henry Ford Hospital continues to be a leader with one of the most experienced teams in the field of robotic prostatectomy. His team also established techniques for robotic surgery for the treatment of bladder and kidney cancer and, most recently, kidney transplants.

Dr. Menon has also focused on training others in the use of the technology, working with visiting physicians at the Vattikuti Urology Institute and travelling around the world to share his knowledge.

The AAGUS created the Keyes Medal in 1926 to award members who have made "outstanding contributions in the advancement of Urology," according to the group. Chosen sparingly by peers in the specialty, recipients receive a medal cast in bronze.

Dr. Menon says he hopes the acknowledgement of his pioneering spirit encourages others to make similar advances in medicine.

“When you try something new and are creating disruptive technology, which robotic surgery was when we first started, the instinctive reaction for many is to push back – but never the patients,” he said. “I believe that the fact that 15 years later they decided to give me this award, indicates that surgeons have accepted that what we have done was good. I’m glad we persisted and are able to make these advanced treatments available to patients.”

To make an appointment at the Vattikuti Urology Institute, call (313) 916-2062.

Media Contact:
Tammy Battaglia
(248) 881-0809
Tammy.Battaglia@hfhs.org