Endowed Professorship of Disability Health and Justice

The Endowed Professorship of Disability Health and Justice aims to push scientific discovery and innovation and increase access and equity for all people with disabilities.

Alan W. Partin, M.D., Ph.D. Professorship in Urology

ALAN W. PARTIN, M.D., Ph.D., was a urologist-in-chief and director emeritus of The Brady Urological Institute.

Born in Grenada, Mississippi, and valedictorian of his high school class, Dr. Partin embarked upon his academic path at the University of Mississippi. An exceptional collegiate athlete, he played offensive lineman, earning two varsity letters, academic all-SEC honors, and the National Football Foundation’s University of Mississippi Chapter Scholar-Athlete Award. Dr. Partin graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in chemistry (1983). He then came north to earn his Ph.D. in pharmacology and molecular science (1988) and his M.D. (1989) from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

While a medical student learning patient care under Dr. Patrick Walsh, the young Dr. Partin developed a research interest in prostate cancer; he was particularly intrigued by the need to discover a way to measure the degree of damage inflicted on a prostate by a tumor. First published in 1989, this early research led to a seminal contribution, the Partin Tables, which remain the global gold standard for prostate cancer diagnosis. The Partin Tables have been used since 1993 to help provide prostate cancer patients with an accurate prediction of their likelihood of cure.

Over his three decades-long career, the Partin laboratories investigated multiple new “PSA-like” serum, urine, and tissue tests, many of which have subsequently gained FDA approval for clinical use. He also pursued the basic science of novel proteins which can help detect and stage prostate cancer.

Dr. Partin was named one of America’s Top Doctors for cancer and Top Doctor in the Baltimore and Washington areas several times by Castle and Connolly. His research accolades include: the Ambrose Monell Research Award, David Koch Prostate Cancer Research Award, American Urological Association Gold-Cystoscope, and the Merck Young Investigator Award. He helped advance the fields of urology and prostate cancer through more than 600 scientific articles, publications, and presentations.

Dr. Partin passed away on March 28, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Vicky Partin, their four children, Topper, David, Dane and Michael, and several grandchildren.