John Pattaras, MD, FACS

Background

Dr. John G. Pattaras is the James C. Kennedy Chair of Prostate Surgery, Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Associate Professor of Urology at the Emory University School of Medicine, He serves as the Medical Director for Emory Urology and former Chief of Urology at Saint Joseph’s Hospital. 

Dr. Pattaras attended The Johns Hopkins University for his undergraduate education. He received his medical degree and urology residency training at The George Washington University School of Medicine. He attended the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health for a fellowship in Biotechnology focusing on prostate cancer research. After residency, Dr. Pattaras completed an Endourology and Laparoscopy fellowship training at St. Louis University Medical Center. Dr. Pattaras is a diplomate of the American Board of Urology (2002) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgery.

As the Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Dr. Pattaras started a laparoscopic and robotic urologic surgery program at Emory University. Over the past 20 years, the program has expanded to become the premier laparoscopic and robotics program in the Atlanta area and expanding across the Southeast and even reaching international patients. The program offers highly specialized minimally invasive surgery that includes robotic prostate surgery, kidney-sparing cancer surgery and complex reconstructive upper urinary surgery. Patients attending Emory Urology for cancer treatment have the unique opportunity to be cured of their disease while at the same time preserve their vital organs, their function and quality of life.

After moving his practice to Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital in 2014 Dr. Pattaras has helped grow the Emory robotics program having performed hundreds of prostate and kidney cancer surgeries. In addition, he helped establish a Multi-Disciplinary Prostate Cancer clinic at ESJH which patients see multiple physicians who can offer different treatment options customized to the patient's needs. He also very involved and specialiizes in high dose radiation (HDR) brachytherapy which involves a minimally invasive way of delivering radiation therapy directly into the prostate to lessen side effects and improve outcomes.

Dr. Pattaras’s clinical and research interests include minimally invasive cancer, urinary stone surgery, endourology, laparoscopy and robotic surgery. He has lectured both nationally and internationally. He is invited to participate annually in national and international conferences focusing on prostate and kidney cancer. He is closely involved in teaching and mentoring medical students, urology residents, physician assistants and post-graduate fellows. He has authored dozens of book chapters, and scientific journal articles.

In addition to his dedication to his patients, Dr. Pattaras has been involved in humanitarianism outside the U.S. For several years, he volunteered his time to organize and lead a team of Emory medical students to Haiti. The team provided free urologic care including surgical treatment to indigent Haitian patients with urologic conditions and continues on today.

Dr. Pattaras lives near Emory University with his wife Kristy and daughter Anna. He enjoys tennis, motorcycles and mixed martial arts.

Titles & Roles

• Professor, Department of Urology

  Emory University School of Medicine
• James C. Kennedy Chair in Prostate Surgery

  Emory University School of Medicine
• Chief of Urology

  Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
• Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery

  Emory University Hospital

Education & Training

Education

• Fellowship, Urology, 2000

  St. Louis Univ Hlth Sciences Ctr
• Residency, Urology, 1999

  George Washington University Hospital
• Fellowship, Urology, 1995

  National Cancer Institute
• Residency, Urology, 1994

  George Washington University Hospital
• Internship, Urology, 1993

  North Shore University Hospital
• Medical Education, MD, 1992

  George Washington Univ School of Medicine

Board Certifications

• Urology

  American Board of Urology, 2002

Professional Memberships

• Society of Urologic Robotic Surgeons
• Endourology Society
• American Urologic Association
• President, Atlanta Urologic Society (AUS) (2004-2009)
• President Elect, Georgia Urology Society (GAUA) (2013-2014)
• AUA Representative (State of Georgia): American Urologic Association (2011-Present)

Research

Publications

Awards

• James C. Kennedy Chair of Prostate Surgery Endowment, 2016
• Emory University School of Medicine Department of Urology Resident Teaching Award, 2017
• Washington Urologic Society Scholar’s Day Radiology Award (1998)
• Washington Urologic Society Scholar’s Day Research Award (1999)
• Hellenic Medical Society Student Award (1990 & 1991)
• Kastorian Society Award for Scholastic Achievement (1987)

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