Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site Map | Locations
University of Washington Department of Urology Seal University of Washington | School of Medicine
Department of Urology
University of Washington | School of Medicine
Department of Urology

Hunter Wessells, MD

Chief of Urology at Harborview Medical Center
Professor of Urology
University of Washington
School of Medicine.

Dr. Wessells is a surgeon, researcher and expert on urogenital trauma and erectile dysfunction. His clinical interests cover a wide area of subjects in urology, ranging from acute injury management to sexual complications of diabetes.

>>View Webcast of Dr. Wessells in panel discussion on Complex Pelvic Fractures at the 2006 annual AUA meeting.
Click on "Complex Pelvic Fractures" link--popup window--click title again to start the webcast.

>>Read about the Fellowship opportunities available in Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery at Harborview Medical Center (40K PDF*)

Board Certification

Diplomate, American Board of Urology, February 28 1997. Recertification valid until 2017

Specialty / Expertise

Penile and Urethral Reconstructive Surgery, Genitourinary Trauma, Peyronie's Disease

>>View streaming video discussion of "Experts in Urologic Reconstructions" featuring Dr. Wessells

Common Surgeries Performed

Common Diseases Treated

Patient Care/Philosophy

To provide specialized care for the most complex acute injuries and reconstructive challenges of the urogenital tract.

Research Interests

>>Wessells/Chitaley Lab
>>Active Clinical Trials

Dr. Wessells research interests include the physiology and pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction, animal models of diabetes, penile endothelial cell function, gene therapy approaches to erectile dysfunction, and melanocortin signaling of sex behavior. A proerectile melanocortin agonist developed by Dr. Wessells and his collaborators at the University of Arizona is in clinical trials for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Professional Associations

Dr. Wessells currently serves as a member of the Advisory Committee for Urology of the American College of Surgeons, was Chair of the Young Urologists Committee of the American Urological Association, and is an ad hoc editorial reviewer for numerous peer reviewed journals.

Dr. Wessells has served on several national and international professional and government committees, including the WHO International Consultations on Erectile and Sexual Dsyfunction, an NIDDK working group on Urological Complications of Diabetes, and a National Institutes of Health Symposium on Diabetes.

Selected Publications

Wessells, H., Suh, D., Porter, J.R., Rivara, F., McKenzie, E.J., Jurkovich, G.J., Nathens, A.B.: Renal Injury and Operative Management in The United States: Results of a Population-based Study. J. Trauma 2003 54: 423-430.
[PubMed Abstract]

Wessells, H., Hruby, V.J., Han, G., Balse-Srinivalsen, P., Vanderah, T.M.: Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 induces penile erection via brain and spinal melanocortin receptors.. Neuroscience. 2003 118, 755-762.
[The following link will open a new window. PubMed Abstract]

Sullivan CJ, Teal TH, Luttrell IP, Tran KB, Peters MA, Wessells H: Microarray Analysis Reveals Novel Gene Expression Changes Associated with Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats. Physiol Genomics 2005, Oct 17;23(2):192-205.
[The following link will open a new window. PubMed Abstract]

Wessells, H., Teal, T.H., Engel K., Sullivan, C.J., Gallis, B., Tran, K.B., Chitaley, K.: Fluid shear stress-induced nitric oxide production in human cavernosal endothelial cells: inhibition by hyperglycaemia. BJU International 2006 May; 97 (5), 1047-1052.
[The following link will open a new window. PubMed Abstract]

Wright, J.L., Nathens, A.B., Rivara, F.P., MacKenzie, E., Wessells, H.: Specific Fracture Configurations And Risk Of Sexual And Excretory Dysfunction In Men And Women One Year After Pelvic Fracture. J Urol, 2006 in press.

The following link will appear in a new window.View full PubMed list of articles

Curriculum Vitae [105K PDF*]

*Software capable of displaying a PDF is required for viewing or printing this document. You may download it from the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

 

[to top]

Portrait of Dr. Wessells

Contact Information:

For an appointment:
Harborview Urology Clinic

Mailing Address:
Harborview Medical Center
Box 359868
325 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104-9868