A Letter from the Founder
Vipul Patel, MD, FACS Medical Director. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, afflicting between 25-30,000 men yearly. In the US, over 3 million men currently have the diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, despite this, prostate cancer is still not commonly discussed in society today and the awareness of this male cancer pales in comparison to breast cancer in women.
I created the International Prostate Cancer Foundation (IPCF) in 2008 to fill a void in men’s health advocacy and to raise awareness and support scientific advances in prostate cancer. The spirit of our foundation is formed from the inspiration of our doctors, patients and healthcare advocates. Our mission is to serve, educate, and innovate to help men understand their risks and what they can do.
I have treated almost 18,000 men who have had this formidable disease. We have learned from their experiences and a monumental challenge lies ahead. This disease is global and without discrimination of age or ethnicity. Patients ages 30 to 80 from all over the globe come to see us daily. While their backgrounds are diverse, their challenge is the same: to cure cancer while preserving their quality of life. They come to us with many soul-searching questions, seeking support, inspiration and compassionate care. And we deliver! However, there are only so many men that we can personally treat… and so our vision has become broader and more global to help those beyond the boundaries of our practice and those who are predisposed genetically to this disease.
We started our mission to eradicate this disease on a global level. A team of expert physicians, the men with prostate cancer, and their families have chosen to stand together to not only fight this disease, but to improve the overall health of men worldwide.
Having completed over 18,000 surgeries and advising thousands of others positions us as experts in the field. We pride ourselves on emphasizing the importance of screening for early diagnosis, improved treatment modalities and educating doctors and patients. These experiences have allowed us to appreciate the magnitude of prostate cancer.
About Vipul Patel
Vipul Patel, MD, FACS completed his medical school education at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He then completed his residency and fellowship training at the University of Miami in Florida. Subsequently, Dr. Patel served as director of the Robotic Surgery Program at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, prior to joining Advent Health Celebration.
Dr. Patel is board certified by the American Urological Association and is the medical director of the Global Robotics Institute at Advent Health Celebration and medical director of the Advent Health Cancer Institute Urologic Oncology Program. He is a professor of Urology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando, Florida, and a clinical associate professor of Urology at Nova Southeastern University, also in Orlando.
He serves as an honorary professor at the University of Milan, Korea University and Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru, and was recently made an honorary professor of the Russian Academy of Science.
He is the founder of the International Prostate Cancer Foundation (IPCF) and a founding member of the Society of Robotic Surgery. He is the editor emeritus of The Journal of Robotic Surgery and editor of the first-ever robotic urology textbook. Dr Patel was also named to the Stanford University/Elsevier Publishing top 2% of scientists in the world in 2021.
He leads one of the world’s most experienced robotic surgery teams and travels around the world to educate physicians and care for patients. Dr. Patel is world-renowned for his contribution to the field of robotic surgery and prostate cancer. Dr Patel is the most experienced robotic surgeon in the world and has personally performed over 18,000 robotic prostatectomies for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Dr. Patel has developed techniques in robotic surgery that have translated to improve patient care and outcomes. His innovations have helped to improve cancer treatment and return of early urinary continence and sexual function. His contributions have been recognized worldwide through publications, professorships and training courses.
He has traveled the globe lecturing and teaching. He has educated thousands of surgeons in robotic surgical techniques. He has started robotic surgery programs or performed surgery throughout the United States and in countries, including India, China, England, Sweden, Belgium, Turkey, Australia and South Korea.
He currently serves as a past president of the Florida Urologic Society and past president and Executive Director of the Society of Robotic Surgery.