Pediatric Urology Research
Research Pediatric Urology
The UCLA Department of Urology is committed to ongoing Pediatric Urology research in a quest to develop new treatments and cures for all urologic conditions, along with a commitment to educate and train the next generation of leading physicians and scientists.
Kathy Huen, MD, MPH
Dr. Huen is committed to advancing the care of adolescents and young adults with congenital genitourinary conditions, a population that often faces critical gaps during the transition from pediatric to adult care. With a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from UCLA, Dr. Huen brings a systems-level perspective to her research, integrating principles of health policy, social determinants of health, and implementation science. Her work with national datasets and multi-institutional collaborators has revealed important disparities in care for individuals with spina bifida, particularly as they age into adulthood. She currently serves on the Transition and Adult Care Professional Advisory Council in the Spina Bifida Association, and is working with other institutions to examine which models of transitional care delivery are effective. She is also developing the transitional urology clinic at UCLA.
Dr. Huen is also a Senior Quality Officer for UCLA Health and the Quality Officer for the Department of Urology. She applies the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Model for Improvement to lead system-level quality initiatives. She has previously published on reducing preventable emergency department visits following urologic surgery, with an emphasis on improving patient flow. Through a combination of data analytics, qualitative interviews, and iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, Dr. Huen has spearheaded a patient-centered intervention to expand catheter self-irrigation teaching—significantly increasing intervention reach and reducing unnecessary ED utilization. Her work exemplifies the program’s mission to deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place.