Dr. Jason Engel, MD
Dr. Engel is a Clinical Associate Professor and the Director of Urologic Robotic Surgery at George Washington University Hospital. His clinical interests lie largely in the minimally invasive management of urologic cancers (prostate, kidney, bladder, etc.) and enlarged prostate (BPH). Another major focus is complex urologic reconstructive surgery such as seen in the management of urethral strictures, Peyronie’s disease and bladder substitution. His experience with kidney stone management is equally extensive.
Review the Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Engel
Dr. Engel grew up in Wheaton, Maryland, ultimately graduating from Landon School and earning a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia with highest distinction. Dr. Engel’s first research and resultant publications stemmed from time spent at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. Next, he went to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, having been elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society, a distinction earned by being within the top 10% of the class academically. Two years of general surgery and a urology residency were spent at Northwestern University in Chicago, after which he joined Urologic Surgeons of Washington in 1999. Dr. Engel was voted a Washingtonian Top Doctor within two years of entering practice and has been named in each list ever since.
A tendency towards clinical innovation led Dr. Engel to be one of the earliest adopters of laparoscopy in the Washington, D.C. region, leading to his being named Director of Urologic Laparoscopy at George Washington at a time when few were performing these operations within the field. As a leader in laparoscopy, Dr. Engel found himself perfectly suited to be an early adopter of robotic surgery. Dr. Engel helped found the robotics program at GW in 2004, and he is now one of the most experienced robotic surgeons in the nation, having individually performed over 1000 robotic surgeries to date. As a regional leader in robotic operations, namely prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, pyeloplasty and several reconstructive procedures, Dr. Engel now almost exclusively performs urologic oncologic procedures either laparoscopically or robotically. This gives Dr. Engel a unique vantage point that most urologists do not have - extensive experience in both open and laparoscopic/robotic approaches.
Dr. Engel has extensive research experience. His bibliography reveals over 20 peer-reviewed publications, several book chapters, and an equal number of academic presentations. His academic interests are varied within Urology, but are at the present centered on prostate cancer outcomes such as margin positivity, the effects of various penile rehabilitation regimens on return of erectile function after prostatectomy, and the successful application of robotic surgery to high risk prostate cancer. Unique applications of hand-assisted laparoscopy to partial nephrectomy are also currently being examined. Current clinical trials include studies of avanafil, a drug for impotence, and Eoquin for bladder cancer.
Dr. Engel resides with his wife and three boys in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He is a proud father, coaching basketball and baseball, and enjoys bicycling, waterskiing, fly fishing and generally spending time with his family.