University at Buffalo (UB)
Ali Houjaij MD
Ali Houjaij
MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Urology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Anatomic Pathology; Anatomy; Andrology; Cancer Screening; Cancer Treatment and Prevention; Clinical Research; Community Health Research; Education; Health Disparities Research; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Medical Education Research; Military & Veterans Health/Healthcare; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Oncology; Racial Disparities Health Research; Robotic Surgery; Sexual Dysfunction; Sexual Medicine; Surgery - Laparoscopic; Surgery – Minimally Invasive and Robotic; Urinary Tract Infection; Urology
Professional Summary:
In my role as the Chief of Urology at the Veteran's Administration Western New York Healthcare System in Buffalo, NY, and as the Director of the UB residency site, I oversee a bustling clinical practice. Our team consists of two full-time and two part-time urologists, handling a diverse caseload in general urology and urologic oncology. Our cases range from routine procedures to intricate cancer treatments. Having completed my fellowship in Surgical Oncology in Urology at the Roswell Park Cancer Center, my primary focus lies in urologic oncology and robotic surgeries, which make up around 40% of our practice.
Our residents benefit from a substantial degree of independence in both clinical settings and the operating room. They work under the close guidance of senior residents and experienced urology staff. Medical students also gain hands-on experience from the outset and actively participate in all teaching activities.
Apart from contributing to formal weekly conferences and presentations, I place great value on small-group teaching. I utilize resources like the NCCN and AUA guidelines, AUA update series, and the SASP MCQ exercises during rotations at the Buffalo VA Hospital for educational purposes. A significant project of mine involves organizing SASP questions by subject to facilitate resident preparation. We cover these topics interactively in small groups during the first half of the academic year, a practice that significantly improved in-service exam scores in 2019 compared to previous years. This initiative was briefly paused during the pandemic but resumed in 2022. We always remain receptive to new ideas and suggestions from our residents.
My research interests primarily revolve around oncology, with a focus on prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers, as well as general urology, complications, and healthcare disparities. We actively involve interested medical students and residents in our research projects, resulting in multiple abstracts presented at national meetings and occasional publications each year.
Education and Training:
- Certificate, Jacobs Educator Excellence Program (JEEP), University at Buffalo (2019)
- Fellowship, Surgical Oncology in Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2009)
- Residency, Urology, American University of Beirut (2008)
- MD, Medicine, American University of Beirut (2002)
- BS, Biology, American University of Beirut (1998)
Employment:
- Clinical Associate Professor, Urology, University at Buffalo (2023-present)
- Site Director, Family Medicine Residency Rotations at the VA, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York (2021-present)
- Site Director, Family Medicine Residency Urology Rotation at the VA, Urology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York (2014-present)
- Chief of Urology, Department of Surgery, VA Western NY Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY (2011-present)
- Chief of Urology, Department of Surgery, Surgery, VA Western NY Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY (2011-present)
- Site Director, Urology Residency Rotations at the VA, Urology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York (2010-present)
- Staff Urologist, Department of Surgery, VA Western NY Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY (2009-present)
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Urology, Urology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York (2010–2023)
- Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Urology, Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2014–2018)
Awards and Honors:
- 10-year Service Award (2019)
Journal Articles:
- Sumlin AB, Camacho S, Fayazi Z, Houjaij A, Darwish O, Groman A, Hutson A. (2022) Knowledge and Understanding Differs Between African American Men and Caucasian Men When Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. J Neurol Disord 10 (2022):512. (Oct)
- Ellman E, Henning F, Houjaij A, Dalimov Z, Shahait M, Nader N, Darwish O. (1900) Predictors of Emergency Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma. (Jan)
- Sumlin AB, Houjaij A, Darwish OM, Camacho S, Groman A, Fayazi Z. (2023) Financial Toxicity and Strain among Veteran and Civilian Men with Prostate Cancer. Archives of Clinical and Biomedical Research. 7 (2023): 337-341. (May)
- Darwish OM, Lutnick E, Dalimov Z, Waisanen KM, Wang D, Houjaij A, Jung I, Nader ND. (2021) Neuraxial vs General Anesthesia: 30-Day Mortality Outcomes Following Transurethral Resection of Prostate. Urology (Nov), 157: 274-279.
- Maiers TJ, Wang DC, Houjaij AH, Darwish OM. (2019) Renal Oncocytoma and Retroperitoneal Ancient Schwannoma: A Benign Mimic of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. Case reports in urology (Jan), 2019: 2561289. doi:10.1155/2019/2561289
- Bulbul MA, El-Hout Y, Haddad M, Tawil A, Houjaij A, Bou Diab N, Darwish O. (2007) Pathological correlation between needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimen in patients with localized prostate cancer. Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada (Sep), 1(3): 264-6. doi:10.5489/cuaj.80
- Khauli RB, El-Hout Y, Hussein M, Dagher FJ, Medawar W, Houjaij A, Sawah S, Houjaij A, Daouk M, Uwaydah M, Abdelnoor A. (2005) A controlled sequential evaluation of open donor nephrectomy versus classical and modified laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: an update. Transplantation proceedings (Sep), 37(7): 2944-6.
- Khauli RB, Houjaij A, Sawah S, El-Hout Y, Medawwar W, Hussein M, Habbal A, Daouk M, Uwaydah M, Maacaron H, Abdelnoor A. (2005) Observations on quadruple immunosuppression maintenance therapy using rapamycin, low-dose cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone following ATG induction. Transplantation proceedings (Sep), 37(7): 3031-3.
- Khauli RB, El-Hout Y, Hussein M, Dagher FJ, Medawar W, Houjaij A, Sawah S, Daouk M, Uwaydah M, Abdelnoor A. (2005) A controlled sequential evaluation of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy versus open donor nephrectomy: an update. Transplantation proceedings (Mar), 37(2): 633-4.
- Bulbul MA, Husseini N, Houjaij A. (2005) Superficial bladder cancer epidemiology, diagnosis and management. Le Journal medical libanais. The Lebanese medical journal (Jan), 53(2): 107-13.
- El-Hout Y, Wazzan W, Khauli RB, Houjaij A. (2005) The workup of microscopic and gross hematuria. Le Journal medical libanais. The Lebanese medical journal (Jan), 53(2): 66-71.
- Dalimov Z, Skomra A, Lutnick E, Waisanen KM, Houjaij A, Nader ND, Darwish OM. (1900) A Comparative Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes of Laser Enucleation of The Prostate versus Simple Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. (Jan)
- Houjaij A, Darwish OM, Rubin J, Pominville R, Arora P, Sheikh M, Gajdos C, Nader ND. (1900) Partial versus Radical Nephrectomy: Comparison of Postoperative Complications. (Jan)
Professional Memberships:
- American Urological Association; Associate Member (2010–present)
- Society of Laparo-Endoscopic Surgeons; Member (2010–present)
Presentations:
- "Process of Improvement of Surgical Infections in Urology at VA Western New York Healthcare System." Surgical Care Integrated Clinical Community meeting (for regional VA Hospitals) (2022)
- "Superficial Bladder Cancer and Intravesical Treatments" Urology Grand Rounds (VA Educational month) (2021)
Service Activities:
- Member of the UB Community Response Team, virtually meeting on Mondays to discuss community needs and hardships, and working on a plan for assistance, focusing on the underserved population.; Member of the UB Community Response Team (2022–present)
- Established a Urology clinic at the Rochester VA to encourage veterans in Rochester area to pursue care without having to drive to Buffalo; Urologist in Outreach Clinic (2021–2022)
- Resident Research Oversight Committee member: evaluate, assist, guide residents as they work on research programs; Resident Research Oversight Committee member (2021–present)
- Member of Residency Remediation Committee for Struggling Learner: meeting regularly to evaluate progress and discuss further action; Member of Residency Remediation Committee for Struggling Learner (2020–2021)
- Urology Residency Program Evaluation Committee (PEC) member: annual meeting to evaluate the program; Urology Residency Program Evaluation Committee (PEC) member (2019–present)
- Faculty Development Annual Meeting, participant (2014–present)
- Oversee, teach, supervise family medicine residents during their half day per week urology rotation at the VA; VA Site Director, UB Family Medicine Residency Urology Rotation (2014–present)
- VA Site Director, UB Family Medicine Residency Urology Rotation: Oversee, teach, supervise family medicine residents during their half day per week urology rotation at the VA; VA Site Director, UB Family Medicine Residency Urology Rotation (2014–present)
- Clinical Competency Committee reviews and discusses each urology resident progress every 6 months and identifies any outstanding issues.; Review each individual resident's progress periodically through the program (2013–present)
- UB Urology Residency applicants’ interviews (2012–present)
- Timekeeping and timecard completion of Urology residents rotating at the Buffalo VA for accurate VA payment to the university for resident coverage.; UB Urology residents VA rotation timekeeper (2012–present)
- Reviewing about 2 cases per year to identify errors in management and deviation from guidelines and standard of care.; Expert Opinion Reviewer for Urology management and mortality/morbidity cases within the VA System (2011–present)
- Reviewing average 2 cases per year and providing guidance to defense attorneys as needed; National Reviewer of Legal Litigation Urology cases against the Federal VA System (2011–present)
- ; Review and provide comments of submitted manuscripts to the Journal of Endourology (2011–present)
- VA Site Director of Medical Student VA Urology rotations during SUR800: Oversee, supervise and teach medical students during their rotation at the VA; VA Site Director of Medical Student VA Urology rotations during SUR800 (2010–present)
- VA Site Director, UB Urology Residency Program: Oversee, supervise and teach urology residents during their VA rotation; VA Site Director, UB Urology Residency Program (2010–present)