Thomas Chi MD, MBA

Dr. Thomas Chi, MD, MBA, is Professor and Chair for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Urology, where he also holds the Anton J. Bueschen, M.D., Endowed Chair in Urologic Surgery and Research. He graduated as a President's Scholar from Stanford University and earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and his MBA from the Wharton School of Business. He completed a urology residency and a fellowship in Endourology and Laparoscopy at UCSF.

Dr. Chi performs percutaneous, ureteroscopic, and non-invasive stone removal. He established the first x-ray-free kidney stone treatment center in the United States.  Dr. Chi’s expertise in ultrasound guidance for kidney stone surgeries has shifted urology practice across the globe. An expert in performing Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) - a minimally invasive operation to treat men with BPH – he developed a multidisciplinary approach to BPH care clinics. These innovative clinical programs facilitate safer surgery for patients with faster recovery and improved clinical outcomes.

Dr. Chi’s pursuit of excellence extends to improving healthcare systems. He was previously Professor and Vice Chair of Urology at UCSF, where he was Chief of Urology Subspecialty and co-director of the Endourology Fellowship. He served UCSF Health as Medical Director of the Parnassus Outpatient Surgery Center and as Ambulatory Executive Medical Director for Surgical Subspecialties. In these roles, Dr. Chi stewarded surgical services toward increasing quality and accessibility for patients.