TUCC - Key Persons
Dr. Coons is board-certified by the American Board of Urology and is a member of the American Urological Association, Colorado Medical Society, El Paso County Medical Society, and Rocky Mountain Urological Society. He is on the board of the Rocky Mountain Kidney Stone Center and serves on the program committee for the Large Urology Group Practice Association.
Dr. Coons earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame and his Master of Medical Science from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he received induction into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
Dr. Coons completed an internship at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and finished his training with a residency in urology at Vanderbilt University, where he trained in extensive laparoscopic, robotic, and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Coons completed the first single incision laparoscopic nephrectomy in Southern Colorado. He's published research on kidney cancer and sacral neuromodulation, an advanced treatment for refractory urinary urgency/frequency. He has two decades of experience and specializes in complex oncology, da Vinci® robotic surgery, laparoscopy, and male reconstructive procedures.
Outside of the office, Dr. Coons enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, skiing, hiking, and watching Notre Dame football. He looks forward to providing exceptional care to patients at The Urology Center of Colorado.
Prior to the merger that formed TUCC, Brett Abernathy, M.D., practiced with Western Urologic Associates. He is a former clinical staff member at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center where he was twice selected as an outstanding faculty member. Dr. Abernathy has served as Chief of Surgery at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center as well as President of the Rocky Mountain Urologic Society. He is a current member of the Rocky Mountain Urologic Society, Denver Medical Society and Colorado Medical Society. He has been recognized as a 5280 Magazine Top Doctor the urology category five times.
Dr. Abernathy received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with distinction, in molecular, cellular and developmental biology from the University of Colorado. He then went on to receive his medical doctorate from Northwestern University and completed his residency in urology at Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Abernathy is board certified by the American Board of Urology.
Dr. Abernathy enjoys time with his wife and two children as well as playing tennis, skiing and cycling.
Prior to joining TUCC, Brian Smith, M.D., practiced at Mountain Urology Associates and Colorado Urology Associates. He is a member of the American Urologic Association, South Central Section of American Urologic Association, Denver Medical Society, American Medical Association and the Colorado Medical Society. Dr. Smith has also served as an assistant clinical faculty member of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and as head of division of urology for Swedish Medical Center.
Dr. Smith graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Colorado College. He obtained his medical doctorate from the University of Colorado. Dr. Smith then completed a general surgery internship followed by his residency in general surgery and urology at the University of Utah. He is board certified by the American Board of Urology and has also been awarded the UroLift Center of Excellence for his use of the UroLift System as a treatment for BPH in men.
Job Titles:
- Director of Information Technology
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
Caitlin Ellis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science with an emphasis in Sports Medicine from Colorado State University.
She completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapid, MI. Before joining TUCC, Caitlin worked in urology and primary care in Denver.
Caitlin is a certified physician assistant through the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
She is a fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Urological Association.
Christopher Dru, M.D., joined TUCC in September 2018. He completed his Urology Residency and Research Fellowship in Urologic Oncology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to General Urology, he has specialized training in da Vinci Robotic Surgery, Kidney Stone Disease, Urologic Oncology, Female Prolapse/Incontinence, BPH, and Endourology.
Dr. Dru earned his Doctorate in Medicine at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He has a B.A. in Chemistry from the Honors Program at the University of San Diego where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. In his free time, he enjoys the skiing, fly fishing, golf, tennis, cooking, and spending time with his family.
Da Vinci robotic surgery for benign and malignant disease of the prostate, kidney, ureter, and bladder
Daniel Kaufman, M.D., joined TUCC in September 2019. He completed his internship in General Surgery and Residency in Urology at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center outside of Boston, MA. In addition to General Urology, he has specific interests and training in, Kidney Stone Disease, Endourology, BPH (including minimally invasive UroLift®), urethral stricture disease, Erectile Dysfunction/Peyronie's disease, and male and female incontinence.
Dr. Kaufman earned his Doctorate in Medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. He has a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University. Prior to his medical training he worked in the consulting industry with a focus on optimizing quality and cost effectiveness in health care delivery. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, skiing, fly fishing, golf, tennis, cooking, wood working and spending time with his family.
Dr. Kaufman earned his Doctorate in Medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. In addition, he has a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University.
Before his medical training, Dr. Kaufman worked in the consulting industry, optimizing quality and cost-effectiveness in healthcare delivery. He enjoys hiking, skiing, fly fishing, golf, tennis, cooking, and woodworking in his free time.
Former U.S. Navy Medical Corps Lieutenant Commander John Tillett, MD FACS, practiced urology in the military and also private practice in Florida before joining TUCC in 2016. He is currently an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also is the director of the Urology training program for the Swedish Medical Center General Surgery residency program. He is also actively involved as a sub-investigator in multiple clinical trials in the TUCC Research Department.
Dr. Tillett graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University and received his medical doctorate from Emory University School of Medicine, where he earned the Joseph B. Whitehead Surgery Scholarship. He completed his residency and served as Chief Resident at Emory, where he was recognized with the Department of Urology Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement and the prestigious Resident Achievement Award by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. In 2010, Dr. Tillett was recognized by the Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S.Navy as being among the top five urology providers in the Navy ranked for satisfaction by outpatient clinic patients. He is certified by the American Board of Urology and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Tillett's clinical areas of expertise include the management of chronic scrotal/testicular pain disorders, urinary stone disease, microsurgery, men's health, bladder cancer, and urologic disorders in patients with spinal cord injury and other neurologic diseases. He has performed more microsurgical denervation of the spermatic cord operations for the treatment of chronic testicular pain than anyone in the region, and he was one of the first urologists in the country to specialize in the use of Jelmyto, an innovative, kidney-preserving treatment for urothelial cancers of the upper urinary tract.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, travel, tennis, and college football.
Former U.S. Navy Medical Corps Lieutenant Commander John Tillett, MD FACS, practiced urology in the military and a private practice in Florida before joining TUCC in 2016.
He is currently an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the director of the Urology Training for the Swedish Medical Center General Surgery residency program.
Dr. Tillett is also actively involved as a sub-investigator in multiple clinical trials in the TUCC Research Department.
Dr. Tillett graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University and received his medical doctorate from Emory University School of Medicine, where he earned the Joseph B. Whitehead Surgery Scholarship.
Elias I. Hsu, M.D., has numerous clinical and research interests including urologic cancers, male and female urinary incontinence and female urology - including prolapse, interstitial cystitis and urodynamics. His clinical skill set includes laparoscopic and robotic surgery for prostate and kidney cancer, vaginal vault prolapse and urinary reconstruction. In August 2011, Dr. Hsu performed the first robotic-assisted laparoscopic simple prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Colorado and the first robotic-assisted laparoscopic vesicovaginal fistula repair in Denver. He has participated in numerous clinical research trials and co-authored many peer reviewed book chapters and journal articles over the past 10 years.
For more than a decade, Dr. Hsu has volunteered his time with such organizations as International Volunteers in Urology and Global Health Partners to train physicians in urologic treatments and surgical procedures; provide unused surgical supplies to third world nations; and organize community health programs for underserved communities.
Dr. Hsu graduated from Yale University, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He earned his medical doctorate from New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Hsu then completed his urologic residency at Baylor College of Medicine where he was honored with the Baylor Urology Research Resident of the Year Award in 2006 and the Baylor Urology Resident of the Year Award in 2008. He started his career in private practice at Texas Medical Center in Houston where he launched a robotic surgery program. Prior to joining TUCC, he was appointed as a clinical assistant professor at Baylor Department of Urology. He is board certified by the American Board of Urology. Dr. Hsu is also board certified in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Hsu has been recognized as a four-time Top Doc (2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018) by 5280 Magazine in the category of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.
Garrick M. Greear, M.D., is a fellowship-trained surgeon, researcher, educator, and patient advocate who specializes in men's health, infertility, and prosthetic urology. His clinical interests include advanced erectile dysfunction, peyronie's disease, male factor infertility, and male stress urinary incontinence.
"I am committed to providing a compassionate, comprehensive, and evidence-based approach to the treatment of male infertility and sexual dysfunction. I believe in fully understanding my patient's goals before crafting a treatment path to meet their needs."
Dr. Greear has extensive experience with complex microsurgery for male factor infertility, genitourinary reconstruction, and prosthetic urology (penile implant and incontinence procedures). He has presented research in these fields at multiple international meetings and is an active member of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, Society for the Study of Male Reproduction, and the American Urological Association.
Dr. Greear completed his undergraduate training at the University of Washington, where he graduated cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He received his medical degree from Boston University, where he graduated cum laude and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He completed his general and urologic surgical training at the University of California, San Diego. He then returned to the University of Washington to complete a fellowship in Andrology and Men's Health.
In his personal time, he enjoys playing tennis, hiking, camping, skiing, and spending time with his wife and children.
Job Titles:
- Director of Clinical Services
Prior to the merger that formed TUCC, Juan Montoya, M.D., practiced with Colorado Urology Associates for more than five years. He is a member of the American Urological Association, South Central Section of the American Urological Association, Denver Medical Society, Rocky Mountain Urologic Society and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Montoya received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his medical doctorate from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Following graduation, Dr. Montoya completed an internship in general surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He then completed his urology training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center/Parkland Memorial Hospital. Dr. Montoya is board certified by the American Board of Urology.
Julien Dagenais, M.D., joined TUCC in September 2018. He completed a Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic's Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, where he graduated with honors and was awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award. Prior to his fellowship, Dr. Dagenais completed his urology residency at the Brigham and Women's Harvard Program in Urology. His internship in general surgery was completed at the University of Washington Department of Surgery.
Dr. Dagenais earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, graduating Cum Laude. His Bachelor of Science degree is in Neurobehavioral Biology from Emory University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.
He has clinical interests in urologic oncology, da Vinci robotic and laparoscopic surgery, and general urology. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and presented at multiple regional and national conferences over the years. He is a current member of the American Urologic Association, Society of Endourology, and American Association of Clinical Urologists. In his personal time, he enjoys skiing, the outdoors, cooking, and travel.
Job Titles:
- Radiation Oncology & ATC Manager
Dr. Abrams completed her Urology residency at Indiana University during which she cultivated passions for holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for complex kidney stone disease, and robotic surgery. Dr. Abrams earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine, graduating as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University with a B.S. in Chemistry and was captain of the Division I Women's Rowing team. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband Kyle and two cats Wally and Eva, running, golfing, hiking, discovering new coffee shops, and traveling.
Dr. Karsh graduated from The Chicago Medical School. He completed his General Surgical training at The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and completed his Urology residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Karsh is a co-founder of The Urology Center of Colorado where he serves as an attending Urologist, Director of Research, and co-Chair Advanced Therapeutics Clinic. He specializes in GU Oncology He is a Certified Principal Investigator with an experience of 260 clinical trials. Dr. Karsh has authored a number of peer-reviewed publications and served on the editorial board for Bladder Cancer. He is an active member of the AUA, SUO, ASCO, as well as SWOG. He served on the bladder cancer subcommittee and on the advisory board for the SUO Clinical Trials Consortium from 2010-2020. He served as the principal investigator for the Heat Biologics (HS410) phase 2 and JNJ-56021927(TITAN) Phase 3 clinical trials within the SUO-CTC. Dr. Karsh is also a member of the Denver Academy of Surgeons.
Marina Moskalenko, M.D., is a board-certified Radiation Oncologist who joined TUCC from the University of Colorado where she completed her residency in Radiation Oncology and also served as Chief Resident. She has expertise in advanced radiation treatment modalities, including volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). She has a particular interest in the treatment of genitourinary malignancies and oligometastatic disease with targeted radiation therapy and in combination with systemic therapeutic agents.
Dr. Moskalenko is a former member of the USA Rhythmic Gymnastics National Team. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience from Barnard College of Columbia University. She then followed her interests in cancer immunology and conducted translational research to define cellular immune mechanisms of synergy between tumor antigen-targeted monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapy at Mount Sinai Hospital. She obtained her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, with a distinction awarded as a Medical Humanities Scholar.
Dr. Moskalenko is passionate about quality improvement and patient safety. She has served on numerous committees and led multiple projects for the advancement of patient care. She was the recipient of the prestigious 2021-2022 American College of Radiology E. Stephen Amis, Jr., MD, Fellowship in Quality and Safety. Dr. Moskalenko strives to improve the patient experience by providing patient-centered care and individualizing each treatment plan based on the goals and values of each patient together with their family members. She is bilingual in English and Russian. Dr. Moskalenko strongly believes the most extraordinary care and best patient outcomes arise through the compassionate, multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach provided at TUCC.
Marklyn (Mark) Jones, M.D., dedicates his entire practice to robotic surgery of all types using the da Vinci® robot. He has performed thousands of minimally invasive surgeries for TUCC patients since August 2007. Dr. Jones serves as the primary laparoscopic donor nephrectomy surgeon for the Presbyterian/St. Lukes Medical Center Kidney Transplant Center. Dr. Jones is a member of several professional organizations including the American Urological Association, Endourologic Society of America, Rocky Mountain Urological Society, Denver Medical Society and the Colorado Medical Society. He has authored many peer-reviewed journal articles and has presented on several occasions at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association. Dr. Jones is board certified by the American Board of Urology.
Dr. Jones earned a bachelor of science degree in biology, cum laude, and his medical doctorate from Creighton University. During medical school, Dr. Jones was awarded with induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society. He completed his internship and residency training at the University of Minnesota where he was named chief resident for the department of urologic surgery. Dr. Jones also completed his fellowship training in advanced laparoscopy, robotic surgery and urologic oncology at the University of Minnesota. While performing his training at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Jones served as a clinical instructor, training urology residents and community urologists on the da Vinci robot.
Job Titles:
- Clinic Operations Manager
Before joining TUCC, Richard Heppe, M.D., practiced with Colorado Urology Associates and Sargent and Heppe Urology.
He has served as the Chief of Urology for Swedish Medical Center and Porter Memorial Hospital and chairman of Swedish Hospital's surgery department. In addition, Dr. Heppe chaired Swedish Hospital's Quality Management Committee.
From 2003 to 2005, Dr. Heppe served as president of Colorado's official Rocky Mountain Urological Society.
He currently serves as president of the TUCC Foundation and is a past member of the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners Committee on Anticompetitive Conduct. Dr. Heppe is also a member of the American Urological Association, Colorado Medical Society, and Denver Medical Society.
Job Titles:
- Director of Patient Access
Stephen Bales, RN, NP, is a nurse practitioner and surgical assistant at TUCC. He specializes in da Vinci robotic surgical assisting, androgen deprivation therapy and general urology.
Stephen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, before completing a Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Prior to joining our clinical team, Stephen worked as a nurse practitioner at two other private practices in the Denver metro area and as a staff nurse at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center. He has experience serving as an assistant in a variety of surgical procedures including minimally invasive cancer surgery using hand assisted laparoscopic and daVinci robotic techniques.
Stephen is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an adult nurse practitioner and as a surgical assistant by the American Board of Surgical Assistants. He is a current member of the Society of Urological Nurses & Associates and the American College of Nurse Practitioners.
Job Titles:
- Member of the American Urological Association
Stephen Ruyle, M.D., is a fourth generation Coloradan and native of Greeley. Dr. Ruyle joined Colorado Urology Associates in 1991 and has served as a clinical consultant for the University of Colorado, Chief of Urology at St. Joseph's Hospital and President of the Rocky Mountain Kidney Stone Center. He served as TUCC President from 2006-2011.
An active member of the medical community, Dr. Ruyle is a member of the American Urological Association, American Association of Clinical Urologists, fellow in the American College of Surgeons, Large Urology Group Practice Association, Rocky Mountain Urological Society, Colorado and Denver Medical Societies and the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.
Dr. Ruyle received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with distinction, in molecular biology from the University of Colorado. He earned his medical doctorate, with honors, from Dartmouth Medical School before completing general surgery training at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Ruyle completed his urological surgery training at Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He is board certified by the American Board of Urology.
Dr. Ruyle has been named Top Doc by 5280 Magazine 13 times.
Job Titles:
- Ancillary Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Accounting and Finance