UCSF Urology provider Dr. ChristI Butler, Assistant Professor of Urology, will serve as site PI for a 7 million dollar research fund from nonprofit Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), for a study to improve support of patients preparing for gender-affirming surgery and improve surgical outcomes through optimizing the relationship of hospitals and transgender community members.
The study was selected through a highly competitive review process in which patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders joined scientists to evaluate the proposals. It was selected for funding through a PCORI designed to support research that produces results that are broadly applicable to a diverse range of patients and care situations and can be more quickly taken up in routine clinical practice.
The awarded study is to be led by OHSU and is supported at multiple sites including UCSF, NYU, Rush, and University of Utah and OHSU. Dr. Geolani Dy, Assistant Professor in Urology at OHSU who specializes in gender affirming surgery is the principal study investigator. In partnership with nonprofit Trans Lifeline that provides support to transgender people, they have helped to develop and will implement a virtual peer support program for patients awaiting vaginoplasty at these 5 sites.
At UCSF, Dr. Butler will lead the study for the upcoming virtual peer support program for patients awaiting vaginoplasty. She is an alumnus of the OHSU Transgender Reconstruction fellowship and is a national expert in robotic and open vaginoplasties. Her research focuses on clinical and patient centered outcomes in transgender care. “ We are excited for this work,” Dr. Butler said. “We are eager to collaborate with these other great institutions for the betterment of our patients.”
“Dr. Butler is a rising star in the field of gender affirming surgery,” said Dr. Benjamin Breyer, Department Chair and the Taube Family Distinguished Professor in Urology. “This large grant is a testament to her standing in the field. Our Department has a long track record of excellence in patient care and research and Dr. Butler is carrying on this tradition.”