Philip T. Zhao, MD

As an endourologist, I specialize in treating people who have complex stone disease, involving stones along the genitourinary tract from the kidneys down to the bladder. My patients are a diverse group of people, and it is a privilege to treat them.

Growing up, I watched my grandmother struggle with this condition, so I understand how it can heavily impact someone’s life. I treat my patients the same way I would treat members of my family. Removing an obstructing stone is extremely gratifying because it allows people to return to their daily lives with minimal recovery time.

To remove stones, I perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), a minimally invasive, camera-guided surgery. I was fortunate to train with the doctor who pioneered this procedure, and am one of only a handful of surgeons in the New York metropolitan area who performs the procedure.

I also perform ureteroscopy to remove kidney stones and treat people for other urologic conditions, including upper tract urothelial carcinoma as well as ureteral and ureteropelvic junction obstructions. In addition to surgery, I perform metabolic exams to find the medical reasons people form stones and provide preventive treatment.

I conduct research on innovations in operative devices and the surgical management of stone disease, and have published multiple journal articles, abstracts, videos, and book chapters on these topics. I regularly present my research at national and international conferences, in addition to teaching other urologists about percutaneous access and PCNL. I am also a reviewer for the Journal of Endourology.