R. Caleb Kovell, MD

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R. Caleb Kovell, MD, is an adult reconstructive urologist with the Division of Urology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Areas of Expertise: Complex genitourinary reconstruction, Adolescent transition to adult care
Locations: Main Campus

Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Background

R. Caleb Kovell, MD received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He subsequently completed a general surgery internship and urology residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received the Outstanding Scholar in Urology Award, the Howard Pollack Award, and the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Resident Achievement Award. He then completed a fellowship in genitourinary reconstruction and prosthetic surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

His clinical expertise is in genitourinary reconstructive procedures and prosthetic surgery. He employs these techniques to treat complex urinary tract traumatic injuries, urethral & ureteral strictures, urinary tract fistulas, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, bladder neck contractures, penile curvature (Peyronie's disease), buried/concealed penis, priapism, penile & urethral cancers, and a wide range of men's health issues. He specializes in surgical procedures such as urethroplasties, ureteral reconstruction and reimplantation, urinary diversions, bladder augmentations, penile prostheses, artificial urinary sphincters and male urethral sling insertions. He also has an interest in transitional urology, managing patients with complex pediatric urologic conditions as they transition into adulthood.

Dr. Kovell is a member of national professional and scientific societies including the American Urologic Association and the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons. He has numerous publications including peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on urologic trauma and reconstructive surgical techniques. He has a particular interest in medical education and international urologic outreach with recent global health missions to India, Vietnam, Liberia, Mozambique and South Africa. 

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Internship

General Surgery - University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA

Residency

Urology - University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA (chief resident)

Fellowship

Genitourinary Reconstruction & Prosthetics - Wake Forest University Health System, Winston Salem, NC

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Physician

Assistant Professor of Urology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2016

Cui T, Kovell RC, Terlecki RP. Is it time to abandon the digital rectal examination? Lessons from the PLCO Cancer  Screening Trial and peer-reviewed literature. Curr Med Res Opin. 2016 June 4: 1-22.

Sterling ME, Kovell RC, Jaffe WI. Primary seminal vesicle adenocarcinoma presenting with bilateral orbital metastasis: a case rep01t. Ural Case Rep. 2016 Mar 18;6:33-5.

2015

Peyton CC, Colaco MA, Kovell RC, Kim JH, Terlecki RP. Erectile dysfunction is predictive of endothelial dysfunction in a well-visit population. Journal of Urology. 2015 November 22

Cui T, Kovell RC, Brooks, DC, Terlecki RP. A urologist's guide to ingredients found in top-selling nutraceuticals for men's sexual health. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2015 November 3

Koslov OS, Kovell RC, Wood KO, Gorbachinsky I, Terlecki RP. Adjunctive antifibrotics following transurethral incision of bladder neck contractures. Int J Ural Nephrol. May 2015, 3(5), 97-100.

Kovell RC, Terlecki RP. Management strategies for post-prostatectomy bladder neck contractures. Curr Ural Rep. Sep 2015; 16(9): 536.

Kovell RC, Terlecki RP. Ventral inlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty: a novel surgical technique for the management of urethral stricture disease. Korean JUrol 2015; 56: 164-167.

2012

Christman MS, Kasturi S, Lambe1t SM, Kovell RC, Casale P. Endoscopic management and the role of double stenting for primary obstructive megaureters. Journal of Urology. 2012 March: 187(3): 1018-22.

2011

Mendoza PJ, Stern JM, Li AY, Jaffe WI, Kovell RC, Nguyen M, Natale R, Monahan K, Bergey MR, Lee DI. Pelvic anatomy on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging can predict early continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Journal of Endourology. 2011 January: 25(1 ): 51-5. 

Books

Chapters

2016

Terlecki RP, Kovell RC. Chapter: Male Urethral Sling Insertion. Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery, 4th Edition. Smith J, Howards S, Preminger G, Dmochowski, R. Elsevier Health Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, 2016.  

2014

Kovell RC, Wright JL, Wessells H. Chapter 10: Urinary and Genital Trauma. Penn Clinical Manual of Urology, 2nd Ed. Wein AJ (ed). Elsevier Health Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, 2014.

Posters and Presentations

2016

Kabarriti A, Kovell RC, Sehgal S, Miller CI, Guzzo TJ, Mucksavage P. Utility of retrograde pyelogram in the setting of non-diagnostic visualization on CT urogram. AUA May 6, 20 I 6.

Rattigan S, Kovell RC. Now trending: Twitter use in the urology community at the American Urological Association annual scientific meeting. AUA May 7, 2016.

PD12: TraumaiReconstruction/Diversion: Ureter (including pyeloplasty) and bladder reconstruction (including fistula), augmentation, substitution, diversion. AUA May 7, 2016. Session moderator.

Kovell RC. Take Home Messages on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia & Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. AUA May 10, 2016. 

2015

Peyton C, Kovell RC, Terlecki RP. Endothelial dysfunction detected by peripheral atterial tonometry is more prevalent in men with erectile dysfunction. AUA 2015. Awarded "Best Poster" during moderated poster session.

Brooks DC, Haddad D, Kovell RC, Terlecki RP. Perioperative outcomes of transurethral resection of bladder tumors using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. AUA 2015.

Cui T, Kovell RC, Brooks DC, Terlecki RP. Does digital rectal examination provide additional value in the era of PSA screening? Lessons from the PLCO study. AUA 2015. 

Kovell RC, Aboumohamed AA, McKenzie P, Terlecki RP. Inflatable penile prosthesis removal and replacement with corporal reconstruction. AUA 2015. 

Kovell RC, Brooks DC, Haddad D, Aboumohamed AA, Terlecki RP. Analysis of perioperative outcomes for procedures involving urinary diversion using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. AUA 2015. 

Kovell RC. Take Home Messages on Trauma, Reconstruction, and Diversion. AUA May 19, 2015. 

Invited Lectures

2016

Kovell RC. Erectile Dysfunction and Intracavernosal Injections: How I Do It. Mid-Atlantic Section AUA Residents' Day, Linthicum, Maryland. March 12, 2016.

Kovell RC. Surgery, Medicine and Urology for the Engineer. Penn Engineering Medicine Club Event, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. February 24, 2016.

2015

Kovell RC. Urology: Introduction to the Surgical Subspecialty. Penn Medical Student Urology Interest Group, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 12, 2015.

Kovell RC. Preparing for an International Urologic Mission: Lessons Learned in a Reconstructive Fellowship. Wake Forest Department of Urology Grand Rounds, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. June 10, 2015.

Awards and Honors

2014, Scholar in Urology Award -University of Pennsylvania, Division of Urology, Philadelphia, PA

2014, Howard Pollack Award-University of Pennsylvania, Division of Urology, Philadelphia, PA

2013, Laparoendoscopic Surge1JJ Award-University of Pennsylvania, Division of Urology, Philadelphia, PA

2012, Howard Pollack Award-University of Pennsylvania, Division of Urology, Philadelphia, PA

2009, Merck Manual Award-University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

2009, Top of Class Designation, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

2008, Alpha Omega Alpha -University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

2003, Twin Tiers Outstanding Scholar Award - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

2003, Meinig Family Cornell National Scholar - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

2002, Tau Beta Pi - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (OURS)

American Urologic Association (AUA)