About Dr. John Pattaras, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Pattaras performing first minimally invasive prostate resection in the Central Plateau of Haiti
From L to R: Dr. Chris Larsen (Former Dean of Emory School of Medicine), Dr. Bill Borenstein (CMO of Emory Healthcare), Mr. James C. Kennedy (Former CEO, Cox Communications), Dr. John Pattaras and Dr. Peter Rossi
Dr. Pattaras (right) with Emory colleagues at Hopital St. Terese in Haiti
James C. Kennedy Chair of Prostate Surgery
Professor of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine
Medical Director, Emory Urology at Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr. John Pattaras started at Emory University in 2000 after being recruited to start the minimally invasive surgery division for the newly formed department of Urology. He completed 2 additional fellowships in addition to a 6 year urology residency. His first fellowship was at the National Cancer Institute branch of the national Institute of Health focusing on prostate cancer treatment and PSMA. After completing his residency in urology he spent an additional year training on advanced laparoscopic and endourolgic techniques at the Saint Louis University and Washington University programs, Since coming to Emory and Atlanta he has performed thousands of minimally invasive urologic procedures relating to cancer, stones and urinary obstruction (blockages).
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After starting the laparoscopy and endourology programs at Emory University Hospital he transitioned to robotics in 2008 when the DaVinci was integrated into the operating room. Since then he has performed thousands of prostate, kidney and adrenal operations in addition complex reconstruction operations completely robotically. He is a national expert in high risk prostate cancer surgery and kidney sparing cancer surgery (partial nephrectomy) using the DaVinci robot.
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Dr. Pattaras is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is a member of the American Urological Association has been named Top Doctor (Urology) in Atlanta for the last 9 years as well as continues to speak and teach nationally and internationally in urology and oncology conferences. He is a member of the Endourology Society, American College of Surgeons, Society of Urologic Robotic Surgeons as well as the American Urological Association where he participates by reviewing annual abstract submissions as well as moderating kidney and prostate cancer research sessions.
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He also serves as a reviewer for many scientific journals including: Cancer, Journal of Urology, Journal of the American College of Surgeons and Journal of Canadian Urology.
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In 2014, he moved his entire practice from the Emory University Hospital to Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital (ESJH) where he served as the Chief of Urology sitting on the Medical Executive Committee till 2018
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In 2016, Dr. Pattaras was inducted as the inaugural James C. Kennedy Chair of Prostate Surgery within Emory University School of Medicine and the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory. This was in conjunction with a $25 million grant to improve patient access, care and staff support.
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He was honored with the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Urology Resident Education Award in recognition of outstanding academic efforts for 2016-2017.
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In 2019, Dr. Pattaras was promoted to Professor of Urology by Emory University for his contributions in clinical, teaching and scholarly activities.
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As Professor of Urology and Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, he continues to teach at Emory University acting as residency site director at ESJH training budding urologists. He has trained dozens of urologists in Georgia, the Southeast, nationally and internationally.
Emory University Hospital has consistently ranked "Best in Georgia" by US News while Emory St. Joseph's was #2. In addition Emory Urology ranked in "Best" category nationally with highest scores in "much better than expected survival" and "advanced technologies".
Dr. Pattaras has a clinical appointment to the Winship Cancer Institute, Georgia's only National Cancer Institute's designated comprehensive cancer center.
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Dr. Pattaras has performed surgery internationally including on mission trips to the Central Plateau in Haiti through the Emory Medishare program.
He served as the President of the Atlanta Urologic Association for over 5 years and was past President of the Georgia Urologic Association. Dr. Pattaras lives in Atlanta with his wife, Kristina, daughter Anna and dog Honey.