Submitted on February 2, 2026
Thomas Gaither, MD, MAS, joined UCSF Urology in September and is helping lead early efforts to develop a Gay Men’s Urology Clinic, an emerging program envisioned to launch within the next six to twelve months. The clinic aims to create a dedicated, affirming clinical home for gay and bisexual men with urologic, sexual, and pelvic health needs, while also advancing much-needed research in this historically under-studied area. With training in neuroscience and psychology, Dr. Gaither brings a holistic, quality-of-life-focused approach to patient care.
Welcome to UCSF. What led you to medicine and ultimately to urology?
I was inspired early on by my grandfather, who had a heart transplant and lived another 18 years afterward. Seeing how much doctors shaped our family’s life left a lasting impression. I studied neuroscience and psychology because I wanted a broad foundation that included social and behavioral science. Urology turned out to be a natural fit – many urologic conditions sit at the intersection of physical health, psychology, sexuality and relationships.
You took a less traditional path, including Teach For America. How does teaching influence your work today?
Teaching was incredibly formative. I taught high school biology and chemistry in the South Bay, and those skills translate directly to medicine. Physicians are educators – we help patients understand complex information and make informed decisions. Clear communication and empathy are essential.
UCSF is in the early stages of developing a Gay Men’s Urology Clinic. Why is a dedicated clinic like this important, and what kinds of needs would it aim to address?
Historically, gay and bisexual men have received urologic care through a heteronormative framework – particularly around prostate cancer. Conversations often focus on urinary control and erections, which matter, but they don’t capture the full scope of sexual wellness or quality of life. Topics like receptive anal intercourse, intimacy, disclosure to partners and psychosocial impacts are often overlooked or difficult for patients to raise. A dedicated clinic creates space for these conversations. It signals to patients that their experiences are valid, expected, and worthy of specialized care. The clinic would aim to address pelvic health, sexual wellness, recovery after prostate and anal cancer treatment and chronic pelvic pain – while also supporting patients through relationship and mental health challenges that can accompany these conditions.
How would this clinic differ from more traditional care models?
The goal is for patients to feel at ease and know there’s no question they can’t ask. Clinically, this means a highly collaborative approach – working closely with pelvic floor physical therapists, colorectal surgery, pelvic physiology specialists, radiation oncology, and infectious disease and HIV specialists. We want this to feel like a clinical home, where care is coordinated and tailored rather than fragmented.
What research questions are you most excited to explore through this work?
Much of my research focuses on quality of life measurement. Many existing questionnaires still rely on heteronormative language and capture only a narrow view of sexual health. I’ve worked on developing and validating a questionnaire that assesses sensation, pleasure, pain, and urinary and bowel symptoms during receptive anal intercourse. The next step is using these tools to better understand outcomes after treatments like prostate cancer therapy and to improve how we counsel patients. We’re also interested in chronic pelvic pain and rehabilitation strategies, including pelvic floor physical therapy. Building a higher-volume center will allow us to identify patterns, generate stronger evidence and ultimately improve care.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about building programs like this at UCSF?
This population is often described as “hidden” in the literature, but the need is real and substantial. By creating a dedicated clinical and research program, we can move beyond that label – learning faster, caring better, and ensuring patients feel seen, supported and at home within UCSF Urology.