Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the Department of Urology, I am thrilled to announce the recruitment of seven faculty members who will be joining UW Urology over the next six months. These individuals represent a talented group of clinicians, educators and researchers whose training and skills align with critical needs for the UW Medicine, the University, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the VA Puget Sound Health System.
Heather Rylander, PA-C, MCHS, MSc
Ms. Rylander’s appointment as Teaching Associate began effective April 1, 2024.
Heather has joined the team at the UWMC-Montlake Prostate Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic. After completing her B.S. in Biology from California State University, Sacramento, she earned a Masters in Molecular Biology at Lehigh University before working as a research staff member in the Male Fertility Laboratory from 2016-2018. Ms. Rylander received her Master’s in Clinical Health Services from the MEDEX program of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, as well as Certification as a Physician Assistant.
Tristan Nicholson, MD, PhD
Dr. Nicholson has accepted a position as Assistant Professor in the Department, effective July 1, 2024.
Tristan’s clinical responsibilities as the UW Medicine Men’s Health Center will be expanded to include the VA Puget Sound Health System with a continued focus on andrology and male infertility. A graduate of UW, Dr. Nicholson earned her medical degree and PhD in 2015 from the University of Rochester before completing residency and fellowship training here at the University of Washington. As a member of the Male Fertility Lab, she will devote effort to andrological research as well as training in High Complexity Lab Direction.
Noelle Landers, PA-C
Ms. Landers has accepted a position as Teaching Associate, effective August 1, 2024.
Noelle has been in the medical field for 22 years and has been a Physician Assistant since 2015, graduating from The George Washington University. Her prior experience includes working in the emergency room at George Washington University Hospital, Primary Care with One Medical and Urgent Care in Denver, Colorado. Before obtaining her degree as PA, she worked as an ambulance driver, ER technician and trauma transfer specialist. Noelle’s passion is caring for patients as individuals and honoring their unique stories.
Julie Cheng, MD, MAE
Dr. Cheng has accepted the position of Assistant Professor effective August 16, 2024.
This will be a return to the department for Julie, who completed her Pediatric Urology Fellowship training at Seattle Children’s in 2022. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Dr. Cheng completed her residency training at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Since completing fellowship, Dr. Cheng has served as Assistant Professor of Pediatric Urology at Oregon Health and Science University, practicing at the Randall and Doernbecher Children’s Hospitals. As part of her clinical responsibilities, she will serve as the Director of the SCH Bladder and Bowel Health Program.
Valeska Halstead, MD, MPH
Dr. Halstead has accepted the position of Assistant Professor effective September 1, 2024.
Valeska earned her dual medical degree/masters of public health at the University of Texas Health Science Center and completed urology residency training at the University of Colorado. A current Pediatric Urology fellow at Lurie Children’s Hospital, Dr. Halstead will add new perspectives in clinical care to the Pediatric Urology program and continue work in health services research, DEI initiatives and trainee mentorship. She will contribute to the Department’s education programs as the Program Delegate of the Urology Residency at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Rand Wilcox Vanden Berg, MD
Dr. Wilcox Vanden Berg has accepted the position of Assistant Professor effective September 1, 2024.
Originally from the northwest, Rand is excited to return after his medical training on the east coast. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine and completed his general surgery internship as well as urology residency training at New York Presbyterian’s Weill Cornell Medical Center. He will complete his Urological Oncology Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in June. In addition to dedicated time at UWMC-Montlake and Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Dr. Wilcox Vanden Berg will practice at the VA Puget Sound Health System and join the Department’s Center for Health Outcomes Research & Dissemination (CHORD) as an Affiliate member.
Jared Wachterman, MD
Dr. Wachterman has accepted the position of Clinical Associate Professor effective September 16, 2024.
Jared earned his medical degree with special qualifications in Biomedical Research from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, and completed residency training at the University of Vermont/Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Dr. Wachterman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Urology, and has held the rank of Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology at the University of Rochester where he has built a successful outreach practice to rural communities in western New York. He will join the general urology practice at UWMC-Northwest and the Eastside Specialty Center (ESC) in Bellevue. His prior experience as an Epic Power User will be leveraged for an EHR optimization plan for the Department.
These outstanding physicians and advanced practice providers will expand the Department’s commitment to patient care, education and research and support all aspects of our UW Urology mission to Heal, Comfort, Teach and Wonder.
Please join me in welcoming our new Faculty members!
Hunter Wessells MD FACS
Professor and Nelson Chair of Urology
University of Washington School of Medicine
office: 206.543.3895 | assistant: 206.221.2628
wessells@uw.edu | assistant: atcurology@uw.edu