Johnson named director of the Division of Urologic Surgery
Surgeon and researcher is national leader in minimally invasive and robotic surgeries
Michael H. Johnson, MD, a clinical and research leader in minimally invasive urologic surgeries and urologic cancers, has been appointed director of the Division of Urologic Surgery at WashU Medicine.
Michael H. Johnson, MD, a professor of surgery, has been named the director of the Division of Urologic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Johnson became the director on July 1 and had previously been acting as the interim director.
As interim director, Johnson expanded the capacity of the division by recruiting new urologists to contribute to the clinical, education and research missions of the department. He has also expanded the reach of WashU Medicine urologic providers in the region by establishing new service locations in clinics throughout the St. Louis area.
“The energy and effectiveness that Dr. Johnson has already brought to the division in his interim role is a testament to his leadership,” said John A. Olson Jr., MD, PhD, the William K. Bixby Professor of Surgery and head of the Department of Surgery. “He is a remarkable urologic surgeon whose commitment to our mission in academic surgery ensures that WashU Medicine will remain a world leader in urological care, innovation and training for years to come.”
Johnson specializes in minimally invasive surgeries, including robotic surgeries, for urologic cancers. As an expert in robotically assisted kidney and prostate surgeries, he has played a major role in the growth of robotic surgery in the Department of Surgery.
“I am honored to take on the role of director of the Division of Urologic Surgery,” said Johnson. “The division has a gifted team of surgeons and educators who are committed to advancing urologic care for our patients, and I look forward to working with them to build on WashU Medicine’s reputation for excellence.”
Johnson is a nationally respected surgeon who was invited to participate in the development of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Guidelines Insights: Kidney Cancer document that provides direction for clinicians treating patients with renal cell carcinoma. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as a member of the American Urological Association, the Society of Urologic Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
A committed and effective educator, Johnson was named the resident teacher of the year in both 2012 and 2019, and is currently the director of the Society of Urologic Oncology fellowship at WashU Medicine. He also runs an active research program that seeks to improve the surveillance and treatment of urologic cancers.
Johnson earned his medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle before coming to WashU Medicine to complete his urology residency training. He then completed his urologic oncology fellowship at the Brady Urological Institute of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore before returning to WashU Medicine in 2022.
