Elizabeth (Betsy) Koehne, MD, the newest addition to our urologic oncology faculty, brings expertise, passion, and dedication to patient care, research, and the academic community.
Originally from Kansas City, MO, Dr. Koehne completed medical school at the University of Missouri, residency at Loyola University-Chicago, and urologic oncology fellowship at the University of Washington.
Dr. Koehne’s path to urology was not planned but serendipitous. Early experiences with engaging mentors like Dr. Stephen Weinstein ignited her interest in the specialty’s blend of patient relationships and surgical precision. Her surgical rotation during medical school confirmed her love for the operating room environment and its emphasis on teamwork and technical skill—qualities she likens to her time as a canoe guide on the Boundary Waters.
Her specialization in urologic oncology stemmed from the profound connections she is able to build with patients facing genitourinary cancers. “Navigating the complexities of these potentially life-threatening diseases with patients and their families from diagnosis through treatment and post-treatment survivorship,” she says, “is an amazing human experience. I am grateful for the connections I form with my patients through this process.”
Dr. Koehne’s clinical training at the University of Washington exposed her to a broad spectrum of open and robotic urologic oncology surgeries, preparing her to handle complex cases with skill and compassion. Her primary research project, funded by an AUA Urology Care Foundation Research Scholar Award, focused on epigenetic modulation of bladder cancer to reverse immune evasion. This innovative work earned her recognition as the Outstanding Graduate Scholar among her AUA Research Scholar peers.
Dr. Koehne says UW-Madison’s strong history of innovation and collaborative research made it the ideal place for her to launch her career as a urologic surgeon-scientist.
Specializing in treating bladder, prostate, kidney, penile, and testis cancers, Dr. Koehne employs advanced surgical techniques tailored to each patient. She offers traditional open and robotic approaches for procedures like radical cystectomy and plans to soon bring novel techniques to Wisconsin – including robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy for kidney masses and transperineal prostate biopsies.
Dr. Koehne’s research focuses on translational bladder cancer studies, using archived surgical tissues and in vitro models to overcome treatment resistance. Collaborating with veterinary scientists, she is developing organoid models to study rare bladder cancer subtypes. She also plans to explore novel imaging modalities to improve disease staging and participate in clinical trials as her practice grows.
Engagement with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
Dr. Koehne’s involvement with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) has been a defining part of her career. Through the John Quale Travel Fellowship Program, she engaged with leading clinicians, scientists, and patient advocates, gaining valuable feedback and mentorship. She remains committed to BCAN’s mission and looks forward to participating in the BCAN 2025 Think Tank this summer in Washington, DC.
A Balanced and Fulfilling Life
Outside of work, Dr. Koehne and her husband, Ben, are immersing themselves in the culture of UW-Madison and Wisconsin. They enjoy Friday fish fries, biking to Badger football games, and exploring the outdoors with their two mini Goldendoodles, Roger and Trudy.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Koehne’s dedication to patient care, education, and research is matched only by her enthusiasm for building a life in Madison. “Taking care of patients during critical times in their lives motivates me to provide the best care today and work to improve outcomes for our patients in the future,” she says.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Elizabeth Koehne to UW-Madison. We are confident that her expertise and passion will have a lasting impact on our patients, trainees, and the field of urologic oncology.