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Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery

Catherine S. Bradley, MD, MSCE

Catherine S. Bradley, MD, MSCE

Division Director


The Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at the University of Iowa includes three faculty physician/surgeons (urogynecologists) and three nurse practitioners who specialize in caring for female patients with pelvic floor disorders. Dr. Catherine Bradley, Dr. Joseph Kowalski, and Dr. Kimberly Kenne are all fellowship-trained and board-certified in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. High quality urogynecologic care is multidisciplinary. The division collaborates closely with physicians in the departments of Urology, Gastroenterology and Colorectal Surgery to provide coordinated care. Our faculty and staff also work closely with specialized UIHC pelvic floor physical therapists who treat urinary and fecal incontinence and bladder pain. 

Our urogynecologists are passionate about improving the quality of life of their patients. The Urogynecology division has developed a comprehensive and humanistic care program for women with pelvic floor disorders. All new patients undergo an extensive evaluation, and outpatient diagnostic testing is available, including urodynamic tests and cystourethroscopy.

Patients are offered a wide array of non-surgical and surgical therapies. Non-surgical treatments may include physical therapy, non-surgical devices (pessaries), behavioral therapy, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, and pharmacological management. Clinic-based procedures (such as transurethral bulking injections and intra-detrusor botulinum toxin injections) are offered, as well as outpatient and inpatient surgeries. Special clinical initiatives include our minimally-invasive surgery program for urinary incontinence and prolapse, including outpatient slings and laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy.  Several years ago, Division faculty led the department in developing and implementing a standard Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program, and the majority of urogynecology surgery patients are discharged home the same day of surgery.

Over the past decade, the division has expanded the clinical program to include 4 outpatient clinic locations, two in Iowa City/Coralville and two outreach programs, including locations in Davenport and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Faculty work closely with Advanced Practice Providers in a team-based approach to maximize patient access and to provide excellent care.

In addition to clinical service, the Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Division is very active in education and research activities. The Division hosts an ACGME-accredited fellowship program in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, founded in 2013 by Dr. Bradley and currently directed by Dr. Kowalski. Urogynecology fellows work closely with faculty in all aspects of patient care. Medical students work in clinics and in the operating room. Residents rotate with outpatient and inpatient services in their second, third, and fourth years.

All Urogynecology faculty and fellows are involved in clinical research. Dr. Bradley leads an NIH-funded urogynecology clinical research program focusing on lower urinary tract symptoms in women. Dr. Kowalski has completed several grant-funded research projects, and Dr. Kenne has extensive global health experience and is currently supported to complete pelvic floor-focused research in Uganda. As part of this work, she leads an international pelvic floor surgery elective for residents and fellows.