Michael R. Abern
Experienced in UPJ Obstruction

Dr. Michael R. Abern

Urology
Duke Health
Duke Cancer Center
20 Duke Medicine Cir, 
Durham, NC 
On Staff At
Clinical Trials:Currently Recruiting for 3 Trials
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Experienced in UPJ Obstruction
Duke Health
Duke Cancer Center
20 Duke Medicine Cir, 
Durham, NC 
OverviewInsuranceLocationsClinical ResearchSimilar Doctors

Overview

I am a urologic oncologist who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of tumors of the urinary tract in men and women. I employ minimally invasive techniques as much as possible in order to maximize quality of life and recovery from treatment. Examples include robotic surgical removal of the prostate, kidney tumors, and bladder with complete robotic reconstruction. I am passionate about researching tests and treatments that will help my patients achieve cure of their cancers. I believe this starts with understanding risk factors for cancer to guide screening and early detection of tumors. I enjoy listening to my patients and understanding their goals of care. I believe that cancer care is a team sport and the patient is the captain. I collaborate with other specialists to make a comprehensive treatment plan including but not limited to surgery. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my wife and two daughters.

Dr. Abern is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of UPJ Obstruction. His top areas of expertise are Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Prostatectomy, and Nephrectomy.

His clinical research consists of co-authoring 107 peer reviewed articles and participating in 7 clinical trials. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years.

Specialties
Urology
Licenses
Urology in NC
Board Certifications
American Board Of Urology, Urology
Fellowships
Urologic Oncology, Duke University
Hospital Affiliations
Duke Regional Hospital
Duke University Hospital
Languages Spoken
English
Gender
Male

Insurance

Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.

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Accepted insurance plans:

Aetna
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Ambetter
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • PPO
Anthem
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Cigna
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • PPO
Health Care Services Corporation
  • HMO
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE MAPD
  • MEDICARE PDP
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • OTHER COMMERCIAL
  • OTHER MEDICARE
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
  • PPO
Highmark
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • PPO
Humana
  • HMO
  • INDEMNITY
  • POS
  • PPO
Medical Mutual
  • HMO
  • PPO
Medicare
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE MAPD
  • MEDICARE PDP
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
Piedmont
  • HMO
  • POS
Sentara Healthcare
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
  • MEDICARE MAPD
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • OTHER COMMERCIAL
  • OTHER MEDICARE
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
UnitedHealthcare
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Wellcare
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE MAPD
  • MEDICARE PDP
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
  • OTHER MEDICARE
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
View 9 Less Insurance Carriers -

Locations

Duke Cancer Center
20 Duke Medicine Cir, Durham, NC 27710
Call: 919-681-6900

Clinical Research

Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.


6 Clinical Trials

A Phase II Study of Ipilimumab, Cabozantinib, and Nivolumab in Rare Genitourinary Cancers (ICONIC)
A Phase II Study of Ipilimumab, Cabozantinib, and Nivolumab in Rare Genitourinary Cancers (ICONIC)
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: December 17, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Biological, Drug
Study Drugs: Cabozantinib, Ipilimumab, Nivolumab
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Phase II Study of Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Chemotherapy in Patients With Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer With Bladder Preservation for Those Patients Whose Tumors Harbor Deleterious DNA Damage Response (DDR) Gene Alterations
A Phase II Study of Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Chemotherapy in Patients With Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer With Bladder Preservation for Those Patients Whose Tumors Harbor Deleterious DNA Damage Response (DDR) Gene Alterations
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: December 11, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Drug, Biological, Other
Study Drugs: Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, Pegfilgrastim
Study Phase: Phase 2
International Registry for Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN)
International Registry for Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN)
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: October 15, 2025
Intervention Type: Other
Phase III Randomized Adjuvant Study of Pembrolizumab in muScle invaSive and locAlly aDvanced urOthelial caRcinoma (AMBASSADOR) Versus Observation
Phase III Randomized Adjuvant Study of Pembrolizumab in muScle invaSive and locAlly aDvanced urOthelial caRcinoma (AMBASSADOR) Versus Observation
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: November 17, 2025
Intervention Type: Other, Biological, Procedure
Study Drug: Pembrolizumab
Study Phase: Phase 3
S1602, A Phase III Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Influence of BCG Strain Differences and T Cell Priming With Intradermal BCG Before Intravesical Therapy for BCG-Naive High-Grade Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
S1602, A Phase III Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Influence of BCG Strain Differences and T Cell Priming With Intradermal BCG Before Intravesical Therapy for BCG-Naive High-Grade Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: April 02, 2025
Intervention Type: Biological, Other
Study Drugs: Bacillus of Calmette-Guerin, Bacillus of Calmette-Guerin Tokyo-172 Strain Solution, Bacillus of Calmette-Guerin Tokyo-172 Strain Vaccine
Study Phase: Phase 3
The Impact of a Gene Expression Profile on Treatment Choice and Outcome Among Minority Men Newly Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Trial
The Impact of a Gene Expression Profile on Treatment Choice and Outcome Among Minority Men Newly Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Trial
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: October 05, 2020
Intervention Type: Other
Study Phase: Not Applicable
View 3 Less Clinical Trials

107 Total Publications

Comparing the Perioperative and Oncological Outcomes of Open Versus Minimally Invasive Inguinal Lymphadenectomy in Penile Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Comparing the Perioperative and Oncological Outcomes of Open Versus Minimally Invasive Inguinal Lymphadenectomy in Penile Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Journal: Cancers
Published: July 20, 2025
View All 107 Publications
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Distinguished in UPJ Obstruction
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I am focused on the surgical and medical management of kidney stones. I do a large volume of surgeries for kidney stones, however what gives me the most satisfaction in my practice is helping my patients prevent kidney stone recurrence. I work closely with my patients to determine the specific causes for their kidney stones. We review this information and then decide on a preventative plan, which often includes dietary changes and even medications. I find it extremely rewarding to help my patients prevent kidney stones, as many of them are surprised that it is possible to prevent them. Dr. Lipkin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of UPJ Obstruction. His top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, UPJ Obstruction, Boils, Lithotripsy, and Ureteroscopy.

Jodi A. Antonelli
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40 Duke Medicine Cir, 
Durham, NC 
 (0.1 miles away)
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I am a urologist who specializes in the medical and surgical management of kidney stones. My practice focuses on comprehensive kidney stone management. I perform a high volume of kidney stone surgeries, including cases with complex anatomy or large kidney stone burden. In addition, I perform evaluations to determine the cause of stones and then provide specific recommendations to prevent future stones. During our visit, I look forward to learning about you and obtaining a thorough history of your past experiences with kidney stones. After we review your laboratory results and imaging, we will discuss the best options to treat your current kidney stones and strategies to prevent them in the future. Dr. Antonelli is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of UPJ Obstruction. Her top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Boils, Carbuncle, Ureteroscopy, and Lithotripsy.

Distinguished in UPJ Obstruction
Dr. Edward T. Wright
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Distinguished in UPJ Obstruction
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Urology

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1040 Main St, 
Danville, VA 
 (47.5 miles away)
434-792-1433
Languages Spoken:
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See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients

Edward Wright is an Urologist in Danville, Virginia. Dr. Wright is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of UPJ Obstruction. His top areas of expertise are UPJ Obstruction, Urinary Tract Infection in Children, Kidney Stones, Ureteroscopy, and Prostatectomy. Dr. Wright is currently accepting new patients.

VIEW MORE UPJ OBSTRUCTION DOCTORS

Areas of Expertise

MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.

Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers

Find Dr. Abern's expertise for a condition
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  • Elite
  • Prostate Cancer
    Dr. Abern is
    Elite
    . Learn about Prostate Cancer.
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  • Distinguished
  • Bladder Cancer
    Dr. Abern is
    Distinguished
    . Learn about Bladder Cancer.
    See more Bladder Cancer experts
  • Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
    Dr. Abern is
    Distinguished
    . Learn about Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC).
    See more Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) experts
  • Advanced
  • Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma
    Dr. Abern is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma.
    See more Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma experts
  • Clear Cell Sarcoma
    Dr. Abern is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Clear Cell Sarcoma.
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  • Familial Prostate Cancer
    Dr. Abern is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Familial Prostate Cancer.
    See more Familial Prostate Cancer experts
  • Familial Wilms Tumor 2
    Dr. Abern is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Familial Wilms Tumor 2.
    See more Familial Wilms Tumor 2 experts
  • Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
    Dr. Abern is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.
    See more Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer experts
  • Nephrectomy
    Dr. Abern is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Nephrectomy.
    See more Nephrectomy experts
View All 15 Advanced Conditions
  • Experienced
  • Bacterial Prostatitis
    Dr. Abern is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Bacterial Prostatitis.
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  • Bilateral Hydronephrosis
    Dr. Abern is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Bilateral Hydronephrosis.
    See more Bilateral Hydronephrosis experts
  • Bladder Outlet Obstruction
    Dr. Abern is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Bladder Outlet Obstruction.
    See more Bladder Outlet Obstruction experts
  • Bladder Reconstruction
    Dr. Abern is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Bladder Reconstruction.
    See more Bladder Reconstruction experts
  • Bladder Stones
    Dr. Abern is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Bladder Stones.
    See more Bladder Stones experts
  • Choriocarcinoma
    Dr. Abern is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Choriocarcinoma.
    See more Choriocarcinoma experts
View All 29 Experienced Conditions
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