Looking Back On a Good Year at MIU: 5 Major Milestones of 2023
By: Dr. Jason Hafron, M.D., CMO
As of 2023, Michigan Institute of Urology celebrated more than 50 years as a leading practice in Michigan. We’ve seen and achieved a lot in that time. But our greatest accomplishment is reflected in you.
That so many patients have chosen our providers for their care is our greatest success. So each year, we show our gratitude by building on that trust through advancements that give back. Following are the milestones we realized in 2023, and what to look forward to in 2024.
Major Milestone 1: The Trials We Stand Behind
Clinical trials provide patients access to groundbreaking technologies and therapies before they are available to the general public, an amazing opportunity. At any given time, our physicians participate in nearly 15 clinical trials, with a focus on urologic cancers. Some studies of note:
ECLIPSE clinical trial – This study tests a therapy for advanced prostate cancer, involving targeted radiation, as an alternative treatment before hormone therapy or chemotherapy. You can learn more here.
VAPOR 2 clinical trial – This trial tests a treatment for intermediate-risk prostate cancer using a device that destroys targeted cancer cells via water vapor ablation, or high-temperature water vapor (steam). More information is here.
Major Milestone 2: The Opening Of Our REDEEM Sexual Wellness And Aesthetics Center
In November, we expanded our men’s and women’s sexual wellness services by opening our specialty clinic, REDEEM. The center is a collaboration between MIU and the former MOXXI Aesthetics and Sexual Wellness Spa, founded by MIU nurse Courtney McCracken, now Director of REDEEM.
Our Birmingham clinic treats conditions such as erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness, and offers confidence-building skin treatments, to empower clients to enjoy their full sexual selves. Read more about the facility here.
Major Milestone 3: The Completion Of Our IR Centers
By the end of the December holidays, MIU will treat our first patients at our state-of-the-art IR Centers, a facility dedicated to minimally invasive treatments using X-ray imaging – a field known as interventional radiology.
Right now, the IR Centers treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through an innovative, minimally invasive procedure known as prostate artery embolization (PAE). Click to learn more.
Major Milestone 4: Attracting Top Talent
Facilities such as our IR Centers require visionary care givers, so we sought the best: Dr. Scott Schwartz, the former program director of the Interventional Radiology Residencies Program at Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Schwartz is the first physician in Michigan to offer prostate artery embolization. While at Henry Ford Hospital, he led the development of a pulmonary embolism response team and the expansion of minimally invasive cancer treatments.
We also welcomed two new urologists to the MIU practice this year. Dr. Jeffrey Budzyn completed a fellowship in advanced robotics and urologic oncology at the University of Southern California. He sees patients in our St. Clair Shores location. Also joining us is Dr. Henry Rosevear, who practiced for 10 years at a urology group in Colorado. Prior to practicing medicine, Dr. Rosevear served as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve. He now sees patients in our Boulevard clinic in Rochester Hills and in our Town Center location in Troy.
Welcome to all of these physicians!
Major Milestone 5: MIU’s Annual Men’s Health Event
We founded MIU Men’s Health Foundation in 2009 to advocate for men’s health-related issues, in part through annual events that raise awareness and provide preventive screenings to all men in the Southeastern Michigan community – insured or uninsured.
At this year’s Annual Men’s Health Event at Ford Field, we achieved a record turnout. More than 1,300 people attended, 51% of whom were new, and we performed more than 3,500 screenings, meaning attendees sought preventive tests for more than one condition. Go, team!
2024 Is Coming Fast, So We Won’t Slow Down
Milestones don’t end, they carry forward. What we’ve achieved in 2023 represents the beginning of what we can do in 2024. Among our upcoming milestones for patients:
- MIU’s Ambulatory Surgery Center, planned to open in early 2024.
- Welcoming additional physicians and advanced practice providers to staff our expanding services.
- Advancing our genetic testing capabilities that analyze patient DNA for inherited forms of cancers.
Finally, we will continue to pursue our personal best, by helping more patients achieve their own milestones in prevention, care, and recovery. We look forward to seeing you in 2024.
Healthy milestones can be are achieved through prevention. If you’d like to schedule a wellness exam at one of our convenient offices, click here.
