This summer, the Department of Urology bid a fond farewell to three exceptional individuals, each of whom is embarking on the next exciting phase of their already remarkable journeys.
Kelly Branham, a longtime urology clinic manager, moved to the Department of Medicine as an associate director of healthcare administration. An integral part of the Department of Urology’s clinical team, Branham joined the department in 2022 and quickly gained the respect and admiration of his colleagues. He was integral in the establishment and design of a new urology clinic at UF Medical Plaza. His positive energy and empathetic leadership were reflected in the exemplary staff he was able to hire and retain.
“I had staff tell me they shed a tear when they heard the news,” said Lawrence Young, M.D., a professor of urology and medical director for the department. “Kelly’s leadership created an environment that people were excited to work in, and we can’t thank him enough for his hard work over the years.”
Padraic O’Malley, M.D., M.Sc., an associate professor in the Department of Urology and chief of the division of urologic oncology, joined the department as an assistant professor in 2018. A driving force in clinical care, education and research, he received multiple educational awards during his time at UF, published more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and sat on committees on both the institutional and national stage. His clinical breath was extremely unique in that it spanned open, endoscopic, percutaneous, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, making him one of the most versatile and skilled surgeons in the department. O’Malley also leaves behind an impressive legacy: thanks to his efforts to establish a new fellowship, the department welcomed its first minimally invasive surgical oncology fellow last month.
“His contributions to clinical trial research locally and nationally have made a tremendous impact on patients here and across the country,” said Paul Crispen, M.D., the David A. Cofrin Professor of Urology and associate director of clinical research at the UF Health Cancer Institute. “Most of all, though, we will miss his boisterous laugh and his friendship.”
O’Malley will be returning back home to Canada to be closer to his family and to take a new position in British Columbia.
Russell Terry, M.D., joined the department an assistant professor of urology in 2020. He seamlessly blended a keen mind for research — he was twice named one of Doximity’s top 10% most cited clinicians — with compassionate, patient-centered care. His clinical activities spanned both the Malcom Randall VA as well as Shands Hospital, providing both endourology and robotic surgery for patients with kidney stones and prostate cancer, respectively.
“Whether navigating complex urologic surgeries or managing high-stakes NIH-funded research, Dr. Terry approaches every situation he encounters with absolute dedication and leaves our department with a lasting legacy of academic brilliance,” said Benjy Canales, M.D., the David A. Cofrin Endowed Professor of Endourology, thanked Terry for his wit, pioneering research and unwavering dedication to patient care.
Dr. Terry will be taking his talents to the Washington St. Louis Department of Urology where he will be providing endourology care as well as overseeing a large research consortium.
Li-Ming Su, M.D., chair of the Department of Urology and the Pete and Carolyn Newsome Endowed Chair of Urologic Oncology, reflected on the impact and contributions of each of these talented, unforgettable employees.
“Although our department will proceed to find replacements for these three outstanding individuals, it will truly be impossible to replace all that each has contributed to making the UF Department of Urology what it is today,” he said.