Drs. Dan Barocas, David Penson, and Matt Resnick

While Dr. Penson’s general research focus is clinical epidemiology and health services research of all urologic disease, Dr. Penson’s specific interests include the impact of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction on patients’ quality of life. 

Dr. Penson has been funded by the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control to study long-term quality of life and treatment decision-making in localized prostate cancer.  Dr. Penson is the Principal Investigator of the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study (PCOS). The PCOS is funded through an R-10 grant from the NCI and is among the largest population-based studies of prostate cancer survivors in existence. It also has the longest longitudinal health-related quality of life follow-up of all published prostate cancer studies (roughly 15 years).

In addition to his work in prostate cancer, Dr. Penson has published on a wide range of other topics, including kidney, testicular and bladder cancer, female urology, cryptorchidism, infertility and erectile dysfunction.  Dr. Penson’s research and clinical efforts were recognized by the American Urological Association (AUA), which awarded him the prestigious Gold Cystoscope award, given annually to the urologist who has contributed the most to the specialty in the first 10 years after completing his/her residency.

Dr. Penson also maintains a strong interest in health policy and quality improvement initiatives.  He was awarded the AUA’s first Gallagher Health Policy Fellowship in 2007. In addition, Dr. Penson chaired the AUA’s Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee from 2006 to 2009 and currently serves as the Chairman of the AUA’s Health Policy Council, the parent committee responsible for all policy activities in the AUA. 

Dr. Penson was instrumental in the development of the AUA and AMA PCPI’s prostate cancer performance measures which were included in the 2007 Medicare PQRI initiative.  He is currently the AUA’s representative to the National Quality Forum and the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

PCORI Award

Dr. Penson appointed to AHRQ National Advisory Council

Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) wins grant to study prostate cancer treatments  and The Vanderbilt Reporter

Long-term effects of prostate therapies tracked

Dr. Penson leads prostate research