Dana A. Weiss, MD

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Dana A. Weiss, MD, is an attending pediatric urologist in the Division of Urology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Areas of Expertise: Bladder exstrophy, Neurogenic Bladder, Spina Bifida, Hypospadias, Minimally invasive surgery including robotic and laparoscopic surgery, Antenatal and postnatal hydronephrosis, Posterior Urethral Valves, Vesicoureteral Reflux, Undescended testis, Hernia and hydroceles, Complex genitourinary reconstruction, Duplex kidneys, Megaureter, Prune belly syndrome, Obstructive uropathies
Locations: Main Hospital; Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care; Specialty Care, Abington; Specialty Care & Surgery Center, Bucks County

Book appointment 215-590-2754

Background

Dana A. Weiss, MD, is an attending pediatric urologist in the Division of Urology at Children’s Hopsital of Philadelphia. She is also a staff urologist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and an Assistant Professor of Surgery in Urology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Weiss’ top priority is to make sure her patients and families feel comfortable and completely understand the assessment and plan at each visit. She encourages open conversations in her practice to ensure this. When it comes to surgery, she makes sure families are aware of all the risks and benefits of treatment so they know exactly what will take place. Through this process, she loves getting to know her patients and caring for them over time.

Dr. Weiss is passionate about treating a variety of urologic conditions and anatomic defects that require reconstruction. She studies and treats bladder exstrophy, neurogenic bladder, other bladder ureteral and kidney abnormalities, and hypospadias in the Division of Urology.

Dr. Weiss earned her medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine and then completed a residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco. She first came to CHOP in 2012 as she continued her urologic training with a fellowship in Pediatric Urology. In 2014, Dr. Weiss joined the Division of Urology at CHOP as an attending urologist.

Dr. Weiss’ research is focused on several areas, including bladder exstrophy and neurogenic bladder, among other projects. She is the director of research for the CHOP team within the Multi-Institutional Bladder Exstrophy Consortium, and has led studies on continence outcomes. She is working on developing research methods to create a continence grading scale that is more useful to patients and families.

Dr. Weiss is also working on radiographic and 3-D modeling of the pelvis to provide greater insights into surgical repair. She participates in a yearly trip to Ahmedabad, India, led by colleague Aseem Shukla, MD, where she is involved in analyzing the outcomes of a large cohort of patients and plans to study the genetic associations of bladder exstrophy. In addition, she has created a biorepository of urine and is working with the CHOP Proteomics core to investigate biomarkers for high-risk bladders in children with spina bifida. Her ultimate goal is to understand how the condition affects all aspects of the lives of patients and improve treatment outcomes.

In addition to clinical work and research endeavors, Dr. Weiss strives to create a valuable and fun education experience for all residents, fellows and medical students rotating through CHOP. In her time at CHOP, she has mentored more than 27 residents and fellows. She still believes in the Socratic method, asking probing questions to promote careful thought about each step in patient care. She actively teaches with hands-on interaction in the OR, demanding technical excellence while providing anecdotes and tales of adventures and misadventures that are key to avoid. On the floor with patients and ER consults, she learns about the patients in partnership, paying prompt attention to the pertinent details and encouraging the in-depth assessment of each patient condition. These efforts have been recognized by the residents, as she was the recipient of the 2020 MAGPI (Mentorship and Guidance in Physician Improvement) teaching award.

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

Internship

General Surgery - University of California, San Francisco, CA

Residency

General Surgery - University of California, San Francisco, CA
Urology - University of California, San Francisco, CA

Fellowship

Pediatric Urology - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.

Board Certification

Pediatric Urology – American Board of Urology
Urology – American Board of Urology

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Physician

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

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2019

Weiss DA, Lee AS, Flanders TM, Long CJ, Van Batavia JP, Zderic SA , Heuer GH. Neurological dysfunction of the bladder from myelomeningocele. Neurosurg Focus. 2019 Oct 1;47 (4):E7. Read the abstract.

2017

Borer JG, Vasquez E, Canning DA, Kryger JV, Bellows A, Weiss D, Groth T, Shukla A, Kurtz MP, Mitchell ME.  Short-term outcomes of the multi-institutional bladder exstrophy consortium:  Successes and complications in the first two years of collaboration.  JPUrol Feb 2017 (EPub ahead of print).

Van Batavia JP, Chu DI, Long CJ, Jen M, Canning DA, Weiss DA.  Genitourinary involvement and management in children with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.  JPUrol Feb 2017 (EPub ahead of print).

Weiss DA, Tsarouhas N, Carr MC, Kalmus A, Zderic SA. How do they get here: Does the method of transportation impact salvage for patients with testicular torsion? JPUrol Jan 2017.  

Long CJ, Chu DI, Tenney RW, Morris AR, Weiss DA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Zderic SA, Kolon TF, Canning DA. Intermediate-Term Followup of Proximal Hypospadias Repair Reveals High Complication Rate. JUrol March 2017.

Chu DI, Zderic SA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Tasian GE, Weiss DA, Long CJ, Canning DA, Kolon TF. Does varicocelectomy improve semen analysis outcomes in adolescents without testicular asymmetry? JPUrol Feb 2017.  

Chu DI, Zderic SA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Tasian GE, Weiss DA, Long CJ, Canning DA, Kolon TF. The natural history of semen parameters in untreated asymptomatic adolescent varicocele patients: A retrospective cohort study. JPUrol Feb 2017.  

Tong CC, Duffy KA, Chu DI, Weiss DA, Srinivasan AK, Canning DA, Kalish JM.  Urological findings in Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome with chromosomal duplications of 11p15.5: Evaluation and Management.   Urology February 2017.  

2016

Srinivasan AK, Shrivastava D, Kurzweil RE, Weiss DA, Long CJ, Shukla AR.  Port site local anesthetic infiltration vs single dose intrathecal opioid injection to control perioperative pain in children undergoing minimal invasive surgery: A comparative analysis.  Urology July 20 2016 (Epub ahead of print). 

Concodora CW, Maizels M, Dean GE, Weiss DA, Alpert SA, Edmondson JD, Elder JS, Herndon A, Elmore JM, Rychlik K.  Checklist assessment tool to evaluate suitability and success of neonatal clamp circumcision: A prospective study.  Journal of Pediatric Urology June 2016 (Epub ahead of print).  

2015

Weiss DA, Butler S, Fesi J, Long CJ, Valentino RJ, Canning DA, Zderic SA.   Putting the past behind us: Social stress induced urinary retention can be overcome.  Journal of Pediatric Urology 11(4):188-194, Aug. 2015 (Epub May 27, 2015).  

Weiss DA, Kadakia S, Kurzweil R, Srinivasan AK, Darge K, Shukla AR.  Detection of crossing vessels in pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction:  clinical patterns and imaging findings.  Journal of Pediatric Urology 11(4):173 e1-5, Aug. 2015 (Epub May 27, 2015). 

Long CJ, Weiss DA, Kolon TF, Srinivasan AK, Shukla AR.  Pediatric calyceal diverticulum treatment:  An experience with endoscopic and laparoscopic approaches.  Journal of Pediatric Urology 11(4):172 e1-6, Aug. 2015 (Epub May 21, 2015). 

2013

Schlomer B, Rodriguez E, Weiss D, Copp H.  Parental beliefs about nocturnal enuresis causes, treatments, and the need to seek professional medical care.  Journal of Pediatric Urology 9(6 Pt B):1043-1048, Dec. 2013 (Epub Apr. 19, 2013).  

Blaschko, SD., Weiss, DA., Odisho, AY., Greene, KL., Cooperberg, MR. Proximal bulbar periurethral abscess. Int Braz J Urol. 39(1): 137-8, Jan, 2013.

2012

Yang, G., Villalta, JD., Weiss, DA., Carroll, PR., Breyer, BN. Gender differences in academic productivity and academic career choice among urology residents. J Urol. 188(4):1286-90, Oct 2012.

Rodriguez, E Jr. (co-first author), Weiss, DA. (co-first author), Ferretti, M., Wang, H., Menshenina, J., Risbridger, G., Handelsman, D., Cunha, GR., Baskin, LS.: Specific morphogenetic events in mouse external genitalia sex differentiation are responsive/dependent upon androgens and/or estrogens. Differentiation. Oct;84(3):269-79, 2012.

Qiao, L.*, Rodriguez, E. Jr.*, Weiss, DA., Ferretti, M., Risbridger, G., Cunha, GR., Baskin, LS. Expression of Estrogen Receptor Alpha and Beta is Decreased in Hypospadias. J Urol. 187(4): 1427-33, April 2012.

Weiss, DA., Kovshilovskaya, B., Breyer, BN. Trends of manuscript authorship in Urology: a 35 year progression. J Urol. 187(1): 253-8, Jan 2012.

2011

Weiss, DA. (co-first author), Rodriguez, E Jr. (co-first author), Cunha, T., Barcellos D., Chan, Ly., Risbridger, G., Baskin, L., Cunha, G. Morphology of the external genitalia of the adult male and female mice as an endpoint of sex differentiation. Mol Cell Endocrinol. Aug 27, 2011.

Rodriguez, E Jr. (co-first author), Weiss, DA. (co-first author), Yang, JH., Menshenina, J., Ferretti, M., Barcellos, D., Chan LY., Migliardi, J., Risbridger, G., Cunha, GR., Baskin, LS.: New Insights on the Morphology of Adult Mouse Penis. Biol Reprod. 85(6): 1216-21, Dec 2011.

Weiss, DA., Harris, CR., Smith, J.: The use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of infertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol, Feb 2011.

Rodriguez, E Jr., Weiss, DA., Copp, HL. Adherence to antibiotic prophylaxis in children with vesicoureteral reflux. Adv Urol. 2011: 1331127, 2011. 

Abstracts

2016

Ward JL, Chu DI, Van Batavia JP, Shukla AR, Weiss DA, Borer J, Vasquez E, Kryger J. Multi-institutional bladder exstrophy consortium: Technical standardization of distal epispadias repair in a boy. Journal of Urology 195(4 Suppl 1):e723, 2016.

Borer JG, Vasquez E, Lillehei CW, Kim YJ, Canning DA, Kryger JV, Groth T, Weiss DA, Shukla AR, Mitchell ME.  Two-stage cloacal exstrophy closure in a male: A case from the multi-institutional bladder exstrophy consortium (MIBEC).  Journal of Urology 195(4 Suppl 1):e723-e724, 2016.

2015

Long CJ, Tharakan S, Weiss DA, Chu DI, Shukla AR, Nance M, Srinivasan AK.  Are all pediatric grade 4 renal traumas the same?  Journal of Urology 193(4 Suppl 1):e212-213, 2015.

2013

Long CJ, Pulido J, Weiss DA, Tasian GE, Kalmus A, Srinivasan AK, Shukla AR. Urinary tract infection after ureteroscopy: Can we identify those patients at risk for infection? Presented at the 2013 Society for Pediatric Urology, Las Vegas, NV, Sept. 2013.

Long CJ, Weiss DA, Zderic SA, Canning DA, Carr MC. Narcotic rescue is not required post-operatively in children <1 year of age after penile surgery with regional block: A prospective study. Presented at the 2013 Society for Pediatric Urology, Las Vegas, NV, Sept. 2013.

Books

Chapters

2022

Weiss, D.A. et al. (2022). Bladder and Cloacal Exstrophy. In: Mattei, P. (eds) Fundamentals of Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07524-7_105

2015

Weiss DA, Canning DA.  Urinary retention, pediatric. In Gomella LG, Andriole GL, Burnett AL, Flanigan RC, Keane TE, Koo HP, Moul JW, Thomas R (eds.): The 5-Minute Urology Consult, 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2015, 586.

2014

Kathrins M, Weiss DA, Gupta K, Canning DA, Bellah RD. Urethral imaging in pediatric urology. Chap. 15 in Palmer LS, Palmer J (eds.): Pediatric & Adolescent Uroradiology. New York: Springer, 2014 (in press).

2013

Blaschko SD, Weiss DA, Odisho AY, Greene KL, Cooperberg MR. Proximal bulbar peri-urethral abscess. [Case Report] International Brazilian Journal of Urology 39(1):137-138, Jan./Feb. 2013.

2009

Weiss DA, Yang G, Myers JB, Breyer BN. Condyloma overgrowth caused by immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. [Case Report] Urology 74(5):1013-1014, Nov. 2009 (Epub July 17, 2009).

2003

Kim CB, Weiss D, Ruddle F. Survey of Hox genes in the skate, Raja eglanteria. Chap. in Shimizu N, Aoki T, Hirono I, Takasima F (eds.): Aquatic Genomics: Steps Toward a Great Future. New York: Spring, 2003, 133-138.

Posters and Presentations

Lectures by Invitation

2016

Weiss DA. Bladder Exstrophy. Presented at: Urology Symposium; 2016 Sep; Avalon, NJ.

2015

Weiss DA. Pediatric Genitourinary Trauma. Presented at: Urology Symposium; 2015 Sep; Avalon, NJ.

Weiss DA. UTI, VUR and AAP Guidelines. Presented at: Crozer Medical Center Grand Rounds; 2015 Sep; Upland, PA.

Weiss DA. DSD. Presented at: Einstein Urology Department Resident Teaching Seminar; 2015 Sep; Philadelphia, PA.

Weiss DA. Management of Posterior Urethral Valves. Presented at: Doylestown Hospital Grand Rounds; 2015 Jun; Doylestown, PA.

Weiss, DA. Pediatric Genitourinary Trauma. Presented at: Pediatric Urology Conference; 2015 May; Salzburg, Austria.

Weiss DA. Prune Belly Syndrome. Presented at: Pediatric Urology Conference; 2015 May; Salzburg, Austria.

Weiss DA. Posterior Urethral Valves. Presented at:  Pediatric Urology Conference; 2015 May; Salzburg, Austria.

Weiss DA. Cloacal and Bladder Exstrophy. Presented at: Pediatric Urology Conference; 2015 May; Salzburg, Austria.

Weiss DA. Neuropathic Bladder and Myelomeningocele. Presented at: Pediatric Urology Conference; 2015 May; Salzburg, Austria.

Weiss, DA., Rodriguez, E Jr., Menshenina, J., Cunha, G., and Baskin, L. Timing of flutamide exposure causes varied degrees of malformations in mouse penis and clitoris. Presented at 2011 AAP, Boston.

“Specific Morphogenetic Events in Mouse External Genitalia Sex Differentiation are Responsive To or Dependent Upon Androgens and/or Estrogens.” Presented at the Northern California Urological Resident Seminar, April 2012.

“Growing left renal mass in 26 week premie – road to diagnosis and treatment.” Presented at the Society of Fetal Urology, New Orleans, October 2013

Awards and Honors

2015, Best Reviewer for The Journal of Urology

2013, Urology Care Foundation Research Scholar Award

2012, 3rd Place, Basic Science, Northern California Urologic Resident Seminar

2010, Honorable Mention, Northern California Urologic Resident Seminar

2006, American Urological Association Annual Audio-Visual Award – First Prize

2006, cum laude graduate, Yale School of Medicine

2006, Connecticut Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Prize, awarded to a graduating student for excellence in the surgical sciences

2003, NIH-NHLBI Medical Student Research Training Fellowship 

1999, NSF, Research Experiences for Undergraduates Grant

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions

Reviewer

2016, PLOS One

2015-present, Urology

2015-present, F1000

2013-present, Journal of Pediatric Urology

2012-present, Practice Update – Urology (Elsevier)

2012-present, Journal of Urology

Institutional Committees

2016, Perinatal Nephrology Group

Leadership and Memberships

2014- present, Society for Pediatric Urology (Member)

2014–present, American Urological Association (Member)

2013–present, Society of Women in Urology (Member)