UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Name New Chair of Urology
By: Cyndy Patton
Dr. Quoc-Dien Trinh, a globally recognized urological surgeon-scientist, has been appointed chair of the Department of Urology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, effective Dec. 1, 2024.
“I am honored to have been selected to lead one of the nation’s premier urology departments,” said Trinh. “I firmly believe that our faculty, staff, and trainees are our most valuable resource and by empowering them to excel, we will continue to achieve our goals of delivering outstanding patient care, advancing scientific discoveries, and cultivating the next generation of urologic surgeons.”
Dr. Quoc-Dien Trinh
Trinh will succeed Dr. Joel Nelson who has served as chair of urology for the past 25 years and is now executive vice president and chief clinical officer of UPMC.
Trinh comes to UPMC and Pitt from Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital where he was section chief of urology and co-director of the prostate cancer program as well as associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on disparities and outcomes in cancer care delivery and is credited with improving access to prostate cancer care for vulnerable populations throughout Massachusetts, collaborating with community organizations and establishing the Prostate Cancer Outreach Clinic supported by Mass General Brigham’s United Against Racism initiative.
“Dr. Trinh’s career has been marked by continual innovation, clinical, research and administrative excellence, and a profound commitment to health equity – all pillars of the UPMC and Pitt School of Medicine missions,” said search committee chair and Dr. Walter E. Dandy Distinguished Professor and chair of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Robert Friedlander. “His dedication to empowering faculty, staff and trainees, driving initiatives that marry groundbreaking research with clinical superiority, and prioritizing the enhancement of outcomes for diverse patient demographics will help elevate an already premier urology program to even greater heights.”
Trinh has authored more than 600 peer-reviewed articles, editorials, and book chapters. He has received the 2021 Outstanding Citizenship Award from Brigham and Women’s Hospital; the 2022 American Urological Association Young Urologist of the Year Award for New England; and recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.
A native of Montreal, Trinh earned his medical degree at Université de Montréal, where he also completed his urology residency. He then completed a fellowship in minimally invasive urologic oncology at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, where he was recognized with the Roger F. Smith, M.D. Award for Outstanding Fellow. Trinh also holds an Executive MBA from HEC Paris, where he was awarded for the Best Capstone Memoir from the HEC Foundation.
