Kristin Ebert, MD, joined the UW Department of Urology in November 2023 as an assistant professor (CHS) and pediatric urologist. Here, we shine a light on one of the rising stars in our Pediatric Urology Division.
Hailing from New Berlin, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, Dr. Kristin Ebert earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Before entering medical school, she imagined a future in psychiatry; however, while training at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, her path quickly changed course when she saw the immediate impact she could make on patients’ lives through surgical interventions.
In her third year, she found her specialty.
Sparked by a relationship developed during her second year with Drs. David Paolone and Sarah McAchran, Dr. Ebert decided to take a urology elective as part of her surgical rotation. Dr. Ebert realized that the specialty offered the perfect blend of surgical precision and the opportunity to form long-term, meaningful relationships with patients. Further, by pursuing pediatric urology, she could support patients from birth through adolescence. She could build lasting bonds with families as both a specialist and a generalist – addressing everything from minor procedures to major reconstructions using endoscopic, laparoscopic, robotic, and open-surgical techniques.
Dr. Ebert went on to complete her urology residency training at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, followed by a pediatric urology fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital – the second-largest children’s hospital in the country. There, she faced complex cases that pushed her clinical and surgical skills to new heights. She also had the unique opportunity to work with adult patients with congenital urologic conditions, sparking an interest in transitional urology.
After fellowship, Dr. Ebert returned to Wisconsin to practice as the sole pediatric urologist for the Marshfield Clinic Health System, where she won the 2023 Shining Star Award for Excellence in Patient Care. Though she enjoyed working with underserved patients, she missed the collaborative, academically rich environment of an educational institution – and she had a strong desire to return to UW-Madison:
I believe wholeheartedly that this department and institution provided the foundation for my own clinical success. I wanted to give back to an institution that has given so much to me. It is truly my dream job.
Soon after returning to UW-Madison, Dr. Ebert took on the role of pediatric urology lead for the Spina Bifida and Transitional Urology programs. Her work focuses on complex cases, particularly those involving spina bifida and neurogenic bladder, as well as adolescent and young adult patients with congenital urologic issues. Her surgical prowess is evident in her complex robotic urinary tract reconstructions and her collaboration with her subspecialty colleagues in Genitourinary Reconstruction or Urogynecology.
Dr. Ebert’s commitment to education led to her recent appointment as co-director of UW Urology’s Simulation Lab Program. A passionate advocate for the use of simulation in training residents, she believes the program provides a crucial, “relatively stress-free” environment for skill development and objective progress tracking.
In addition to her clinical and educational roles, Dr. Ebert pursues research to enhance patient care. For example, she recently submitted a UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research pilot grant to develop tools for aiding the transition from pediatric to adult care. She is also collaborating with UW biomedical engineer Dr. Robert Radwin to explore the biomechanical parameters of surgical skills during simulation.
Driven by a desire to improve patient quality of life and to contribute to the advancement of UW’s urology program, Dr. Ebert has also taken on leadership roles in clinical and hospital operations. As the recently appointed American Family Children’s Hospital Surgical Subspecialty Clinics Operations Dyad Lead, she focuses on optimizing operational workflows to enhance patient care.
Dr. Ebert’s dedication to pediatric urology, commitment to patient care, and passion for education and research are apparent and inspiring. Her return to UW-Madison marks not just a homecoming but a continuation of her mission to make a difference in the lives of her patients and the medical community.