AFFILIATED UROLOGISTS - Key Persons
Dr. Patel was born and raised in Chicago, IL and moved to Arizona in 2000. He completed his General Surgery Internship and Urologic Surgery training at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, obtaining recognition from the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons as the 2019 Outstanding Minimally Invasive Surgeon.
Dr. Patel graduated magna cum laude with Honors from the University of Arizona and obtained his Medical Degree from The University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix.
During his time at Emory, Dr. Patel received advanced surgical training in all aspects of Urology, including open and minimally invasive surgery, all urologic cancers, advanced robotic surgery (prostate, kidney, ureter, and bladder), cryoablation, brachytherapy, stone disease, vasectomy, male and female urinary issues, urological trauma, erectile dysfunction, prosthetic surgery, and infertility. Dr. Patel has also published book chapters, papers in peer-reviewed medical journals, and presented at several national Urology conferences.
Dr. Patel strives to provide the highest quality care for his patients, focusing on the importance of an open line of communication, and treating each patient as he would his own family.
In 2013, Dr. Jaffee moved to Arizona and joined the Phoenix urology clinic, Affiliated Urologists, bringing more than a decade of surgical experience with him. He is double board certified in urology, and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Jaffee received his bachelor's degree at McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1993. After graduating from McGill magna cum laude, Dr. Jaffee received his medical degree from Albany Medical College in New York. During his time at Albany Medical College, Dr. Jaffee was involved in medical research for diseases affecting the prostate at the Leahy Clinic in Massachusetts. It was that experience, combined with the influence of his father who was also a urologist, that convinced him to become a urologist as well.
"I saw how passionate my father was about caring for people and how meticulous he was as a surgeon; he combined his love of science, medicine, and people," said Dr. Jaffee. "He found his work to be profoundly satisfying, and I am fortunate enough to have followed in his footsteps."
Dr. Jaffee completed his surgical internship and urology residency at SUNY Stony Brook. Following the completion of his training, Dr. Jaffee practiced urology in a diverse academic setting for 10 years in Providence, Rhode Island. He also gave lectures and mentored the medical students at Brown University School of Medicine. Dr. Jaffee's role as a faculty member at Brown University Medical Center required training the residents in urology as well as the fellows in urogynecology.
Dr. Jaffee is proud to have been selected as one of Rhode Island Magazine's Top Docs, and has the special distinction of being selected as a Medtronic (Interstim) Faculty Proctor/Preceptor. At our Phoenix urology clinic, he is proficient in the treatment of diseases affecting the prostate, bladder, kidney, and genitourinary system. He has additional expertise in issues relating to female pelvic organs and incontinence. In his spare time, Dr. Jaffee enjoys playing tennis, hiking, or unwinding with a good book.
He considers himself extremely lucky to be married to a physician who can help him solve all of life's mysteries, whether they be work or home-related. Together they have four wonderful children and a friendly miniature schnauzer.
Dr. Cooper graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Riverside with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. Shortly thereafter, he received his master's degree in public health with an emphasis in epidemiology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Dr. Cooper earned his medical doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Medicine while on scholarship with the U.S. Navy. After completing his surgical internship at Naval Medical Center San Diego, Dr. Cooper provided much-needed medical support for the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry out of Camp Pendleton for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After eight months in Fallujah, Iraq, as a Battalion Surgeon, he was injured in the line of duty, distinguishing himself as the first U.S. Navy physician awarded the Purple Heart in nearly 30 years. Following his service with the Marine Corps, he completed his urology residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego, one of the largest military medical centers in the world. After graduating from his residency program, Dr. Cooper was transferred to Naval Hospital Jacksonville in Florida. He served as Chief of Urology at Naval Hospital Jacksonville before returning to his home in the Southwest as a member of the Affiliated Urologists team.
Dr. Cooper is an experienced robotic surgeon, having established the robotic urology program at Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Orange Park Medical Center in North Florida. Additionally, he has an extensive background in general urology, genitourinary cancers, stone disease, prostatic enlargement, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, infertility, vasectomy reversal, and prosthetic surgery.
Dr. Cooper is a diplomat of the American Board of Urology and an assistant professor of surgery at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.
As a leading Phoenix urologist, Dr. Cooper is a compassionate and well-rounded physician who takes pride in patient care. He enjoys spending time with his family and staying active by playing softball, golfing, hiking, and going scuba diving. Dr. Cooper is an avid philanthropist and enjoys giving back to his community through healthcare outreach and charitable organizations. Additionally, he continues to serve the U.S. Military in the Naval Reserves.
Dr. Christopher Martin was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Florida State University as a student-athlete in 2009 with a degree in Biology, magna cum laude, and stayed at FSU to complete his medical degree. Dr. Martin is board certified by the American Board of Urology.
During his time there, he was involved in clinical research investigating kidney cancer and endourology that ultimately influenced him to pursue a career in urology.
Dr. Martin completed his general surgery internship and urology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he served the final year as chief resident of urology. During training he maintained an interest in research, presenting projects across the nation and publishing in multiple peer-reviewed medical journals, including the Journal of Urology. His clinical interests include robotic surgery, urologic oncology, BPH, kidney stone disease, prosthetic surgery, incontinence, and vasectomy. He is excited to stay in Arizona as a member of the Affiliated Urologists team.
In his spare time, Dr. Martin enjoys playing and coaching sports, participating in alpine and water sports, traveling, and playing the guitar and piano. He holds a black belt in martial arts and loves deep sea fishing.
Dr. Ponas is board certified by the American Board of Urology. Dr. Ponas received Phoenix Magazines Top Doctor award in 2009. He is currently Chief of Urology at St. Joseph's Hospital and was Chief of Surgery at Phoenix St Luke's Hospital from 2004-2007.
Dr. Stephen H. Ponas was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan Honors Program in 1984 with a degree in Chemistry. He received his MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 1988. He did two years of general surgery training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis from 1988-1990. He completed his Urologic Surgery training at Washington University in 1994. His practice includes general adult Urology with particular interests in Urologic oncology including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, endourology, stone diseases, and female urology. He enjoys working at our Phoenix urology clinic.
Dr. Tourville is an Arizona native and completed her undergraduate degree in biochemistry at Arizona State University.
She went on to graduate from University of Arizona College of Medicine and then completed her Urology residency in Memphis at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. After completion of her residency, she moved back to Phoenix to be close to her family.
Throughout college and residency, she participated in multiple research projects and has been published in several journals. She also had the opportunity to present her research at multiple national and international conferences. Dr. Tourville has held a number of leadership positions including Urology Representative at the Methodist University Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Council, Board Member for the University of Arizona College of Medicine LCME Accreditation Committee, Resident Representative for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Urology Residency Program, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Phoenix Urological Society.
Dr. Tourville offers treatment for urological malignancies including kidney, bladder, prostate, and testicular cancers. She also specializes in management of kidney stones, BPH/enlarged prostate, overactive bladder, erectile dysfunction, and female incontinence. She is a robotically trained surgeon and uses minimally invasive techniques to provide the most innovative care for her patients. She is a very empathetic, compassionate physician and is committed to educating patients about their condition. She feels it is extremely important to spend sufficient time with patients to ensure all of their questions and concerns are addressed.
When Dr. Tourville is not working, she loves to travel and experience new cultures and places. As an Arizona native, she enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and family.
Dr. Faisal is from Gainesville, Florida. She attended Yale University for college and Johns Hopkins University for medical school. She completed her Urology residency at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD and further subspecialty training in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery in Minneapolis, MN. She moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2022.
Dr. Faisal graduated Summa Cum Laude from Yale University with a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She attended Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her Urology residency at the prestigious Brady Urologic Institute of Johns Hopkins. At Hopkins, she received comprehensive training in the management of benign and malignant urologic conditions for adult and pediatric patients. During residency, she was also involved in innovative urologic research, published her work in many medical journals, and presented at national and international urology meetings. For her contributions to research in urology, she received the Physician Scientist Award from Johns Hopkins in 2019.
Dr. Faisal completed a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery in Minneapolis, MN. She specializes in female and male voiding dysfunction, including overactive bladder and urinary incontinence, as well as in female pelvic floor disorders such as pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic/bladder pain syndrome. She performs complex reconstructive pelvic surgeries using both open and endoscopic/laparoscopic techniques. Similar to her partners at Affiliated Urologists, Dr. Faisal is dedicated to her patients and their quality of life and strives to be the empathetic physician every patient deserves.
Originally from Lexington, KY, Dr. Kevin Art graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown College. Upon receiving his bachelor's degree in chemistry, Dr. Art completed his medical education at the University of Kentucky.
Prior to graduating with High Distinction, Dr. Art was active in research in both robotic surgery and prostate cancer. Dr. Art completed his general surgery internship and urology residency at Kansas University in Kansas City. He continued ongoing research in prostate cancer during his training at the University and was selected as the Chief Resident for his exceptional clinical and leadership skills. After completing his residency, Dr. Art practiced in Tennessee for several years before returning to his hometown to serve as Chief of Urology at St. Joseph East Hospital in Lexington.
Dr. Art credits his early experience as a child watching his father fight kidney cancer as the driving force that led him into urology. He has expertise in urologic oncology with an emphasis on robotics and laparoscopy, benign disorders of the prostate, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, stone disease, and incontinence.
His outside interests include spending time with his wonderful wife, Melissa, and their two young children, Madison and James. Dr. Art is an avid fisherman and recreational shooter. When he's not working or spending time with his family, Dr. Art is a rabid college sports fan, most notably for his beloved Kentucky Wildcats. Dr. Art is excited to work with the Phoenix urology practice, Affiliated Urologists.
Born in Rhode Island, and raised in Southern California, Dr. Lipson earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of California at Santa Barbara, and then earned his Medical Doctorate from University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School (now the Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine and Science.)
He completed a General Surgery internship at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, after which he served two years as a Battalion Surgeon and Regimental Surgeon with the First Marine Division. He completed his Urology residency at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia, and then served as a staff Urologist at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton until his release from active duty in 1998.
Following three years of practice in Southern California, Dr. Lipson moved to the Valley in 2001. His style of high quality, compassionate care with attention to the patient's needs resulted in his being named a Phoenix Magazine Top Doc in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016, as selected by his peers. He has established himself as a local thought leader in the treatment of benign and malignant prostate disease. Additionally, his urologic interests include management of stone disease, testosterone supplementation, and vasectomy.
Dr. Lipson is board certified by the American Board of Urology. He is an active member of the American Urologic Association, the Society of Government Service Urologists, the Phoenix Urologic Society, and the National Organization of American Mohalim.
Ryan J. Powers, D.O. was born and raised in Seattle, WA. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Washington University with a major in Biology. He went on to pursue a Master of Public Health degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Powers attended medical school at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ. He completed his residency in urology at Cook County Health in Chicago, IL, where he served as chief resident during his final year. After residency, he completed a fellowship in advanced minimally invasive robotic surgery at the top-rated University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Powers is a member of the American Urological Association.
Dr. Powers has received training in complex robotic surgeries for malignant and benign urologic disorders under the tutelage of world-renowned experts at USC. He is very comfortable performing open surgery for these disorders as well given his background at Cook County Health. He treats cancers of the urinary tract that include kidney, bladder, prostate, testicular and penile cancers as well as benign conditions such as kidney stones, strictures, BPH or enlarged prostates, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, urologic trauma, erectile dysfunction, and infertility. Dr. Powers is interested in providing access to new technologies and using minimally invasive techniques in urologic surgery to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. In addition to his work in the office and the operating room, Dr. Powers has published works in medical journals and presented research at national and local urology conferences. He believes that urologic care is best undertaken as a partnership between patients and himself, thus taking the time to educate his patients in their care.
In his time outside of urologic practice, Dr. Powers spends time with his family that includes his wife, daughter and dog. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves that Phoenix affords the ability to be outdoors all year.