Keith John Kowalczyk MD

Keith Kowalczyk, MD, is the Physician Executive Director, of MedStar Health Urology and the Chair of the Department of Urology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He is board certified in urology, with training in urologic oncology and robotic-assisted surgery. He sees patients at MedStar's Pasquerilla Healthcare Center at MedStar Georgetown in Washington, D.C., as well as MedStar's clinic in Chevy Chase.

Dr. Kowalczyk treats a full range of urologic conditions but focuses on kidney, testicular, bladder, and prostate cancers. While skilled in performing traditional open surgery, his special expertise is in robotic-assisted surgery, and he has performed hundreds of procedures using this technology.

Dr. Kowalczyk is one of the few urologic surgeons in the D.C. metro area with specific expertise and training in urologic robotic surgery for urologic cancers. For those not familiar with robotic surgery, the surgeon uses special instruments controlled through a robotic/computer console which allows an increased range of motion and often more precision than traditional surgical instruments. The camera he uses provides 10 to 12 times more magnification than traditional cameras used in surgery.

With his experience in performing robotic surgery, Dr. Kowalczyk is able to perform a more precise surgery with generally fewer complications. Also, Dr. Kowalczyk is able to offer more options for certain high-risk patients, like obese men who need prostatectomy surgery as well as patients with large kidney masses who have been told their kidney requires removal. With the magnified view and precision of robotic surgery, these patients have the option of minimally invasive procedures and better outcomes.

Dr. Kowalczyk is also actively involved in health services research on cancer treatments, outcomes, and patterns, and costs of care and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles on these topics.