Dr. Denise Asafu-Adjei is a trailblazing, dynamic, award-winning urologist and researcher. A proud first generation Ghanaian-American, hailing from Bronx, NY, she graduated from the world-renowned Bronx High School of Science. She went on to attend the esteemed Carnegie Mellon University, earning a Bachelor of Science and Minor in Healthcare Policy and Management. During her college years, she solidified her dedication to medicine and scientific research and developed a strong interest in health policy and broader health system issues. She obtained her M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School (Go Blue!).

During medical school, she took a year off to obtain a Master’s in Public Health from the prominent Harvard School of Public Health, with a focus on Healthcare Management. Urology proved to be the perfect intersection for her passion for surgery, general love for engaging with people, and unique ability to connect with others on sensitive issues. She completed her urology residency at the distinguished Columbia University Irving Medical Center, becoming the first Black woman to complete this residency in 2020. She joined the ranks of the 2% of Black urologists in the United States. Dr. Denise completed a competitive Fellowship in Andrology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), becoming an expert in male infertility and sexual dysfunction.

Dr. Denise is currently an Assistant Professor of Urology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, where she serves as the Medical Director of Male Reproductive Medicine. She also holds a dual appointment at the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health.

Dr. Denise strives to utilize her clinical research to help healthcare systems achieve equitable access for patients and high-quality healthcare for male reproductive and sexual dysfunction services. She is also passionate about mentorship and continues to actively mentor medical students and residents. Finally, she seeks to ultimately create and expand urological exchange programs and partnerships in her family’s homeland, Ghana, and other African countries.

Dr. Denise is an active member of various professional organizations and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She serves on the Alumni Board of Carnegie Mellon University and is on the Medical Advisory Board for Hims & Hers.

Dr. Denise enjoys leisure international travel, golf, musicals, political history, and cooking. She also loves spending time with family and friends.

Publications

• Nam, C. S., Campbell, K. J., Acquati, C., Bole, R., Adler, A., Collins, D. J., Collins, E., Samplaski, M., Anderson-Bialis, J., Andino, J. J., Asafu-Adjei, D., Gaskins, A. J., Bortoletto, P., Vij, S. C., Orwig, K. E., & Lundy, S. D. (2023). The Deafening Silence of Male Infertility. Urology, S0090-4295(23)00837-3. Advance online publication. https://www.goldjournal.net/article/S0090-4295(23)00837-3/fulltext

• Khera, M., Langston, J. P., Pollard, M. E., Asafu-Adjei, D., Edwards, N. C., Nitschelm, K. D., Patel, M., & Bhattacharyya, S. K. (2023). Implantable Penile Prosthesis for Erectile Dysfunction: Insurance Coverage in the United States. Urology practice, 10(5), 501–510. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/UPJ.0000000000000416

• Gurayah, A. A., Mohamed, A. I., Rahman, F., Bernstein, A. P., Asafu-Adjei, D., Ezeh, U. C., Willey, B. C., Balumuka, D., Yarholar, L. M., Gosman, A., & Ramasamy, R. (2023). The Revolving Door of Residency: Predictors of Residency Attrition for Urology Matriculants Between 2001 and 2016. Urology, 177, 21–28. https://www.goldjournal.net/article/S0090-4295(23)00309-6/fulltext