Meet the Doctor: Edouard Trabulsi, MD
Edouard Trabulsi, MD, MBA, is Chair of Urology at Einstein Healthcare Network. Dr. Trabulsi sees patients at Einstein Urology offices on Tabor Road in Philadelphia and on Township Line Road in Elkins Park. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is board certified in urology by the American Board of Urology.
Dr. Trabulsi is a Professor of Urology at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and has been recognized as one of Philadelphia magazine’s Top Doctors since 2011.
We recently spoke with Dr. Trabulsi about his career, his interests, and urology at Einstein.
Q: Why did you decide to become a doctor?
A: I’ve had a lifelong dream of growing up to become a physician, combining my interest in science and biology with the ability to help people. Having no other doctors or professionals in the family, my parents always encouraged my brother and me to think about medicine and law, which has turned out very well for us both.
Q: Tell us about your education background.
A: I grew up in New York City and went to college upstate at the University of Rochester. I attended medical school at the State University of New York at Buffalo. I completed my residency in urologic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and then did a fellowship in urologic oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. More recently, I completed my MBA at the Fox School of Business at Temple University.
Q: Why did you choose your specialty?
A: I never expected to be a surgeon after I rotated in general surgery as a third-year medical student. However, my eyes were opened to the surgical arena and I never looked back. As I surveyed the different surgical specialties, I realized that urology offered the best balance of acute and chronic care, which I find tremendously rewarding. I was also impressed with the variety of procedures and practice settings, with endoscopic, laparoscopic, robotic and big open procedures, as well as office procedures, which were very attractive to me.
Q: What are your clinical interests?
A: I focus on all aspects of urologic oncology, including open and robotic procedures for prostate cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer and penile cancer. I am very involved in clinical trials for urologic oncology, as well as clinical research in novel uses of imaging and biomarkers for prostate cancer.
Q: What are your research interests?
A: I have collaborated with multiple investigators in the Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) at Thomas Jefferson University, and currently serve as co-primary investigator for two large National Institutes of Health research grants. One involves investigating a new urinary biomarker for prostate cancer detection. The other is exploring a novel contrast ultrasound imaging technology for the treatment of kidney tumors. In addition, I will continue in my role as the Genitourinary Multidisciplinary Disease Group Clinical Lead for clinical trials involving genital and urinary cancers through the SKMC.
Q: What drew you to Einstein?
A: My move to Einstein is the culmination of my long-term ambition for leadership and program building. I have been in practice in the Department of Urology at the SKMC of Thomas Jefferson University for many years. When there was a need for a new leader in urology at Einstein, I saw it as a natural fit and next step for my professional and personal growth.
I am impressed with the collegiality and common goals that the Einstein community offers, and appreciate the tremendous needs of the patient population Einstein serves. I am also fortunate to be able to continue my close collaboration and research interests with the team at SKMC. I remain very involved with clinical trial efforts at the SKMC and plan to bring these clinical trials to the Einstein patient community as well.
Q: Why should people choose Einstein for their urology care?
A: We are fortunate to be able to offer all cutting-edge treatments and diagnostics to our patients at Einstein. My practice style and philosophy is to treat every patient as I would a member of my family. This is my approach, and one I try to instill into my student and resident trainees. This is the attitude we have at Einstein Urology and is the reason why people will chose to see us.
Q: What are your interests outside of work?
A: I am huge baseball fan and have been in a rotisserie baseball league, the original form of fantasy baseball, with my college buddies for over 30 years. I also have been to 26 of the 30 current major league ballparks nationwide, and I hope to see the remaining parks soon.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: The Outer Banks in North Carolina. My family and I have joined several of my college friends and their families there each summer for many years. This is my most relaxing week of the year.
Q: What is something that most people don’t know about you?
A: Both my father and my mother had bladder cancer and had their bladders removed. I sometimes share with my bladder cancer patients that I have truly been on “both sides of the fence” and can relate to the difficulties they face.
