Zeph Okeke, MD

Zeph Okeke, MD is a board certified urologic surgeon specializing in endourology, minimally invasive surgery and laparoscopy. He is known for developing and being the principal investigator of the novel S.T.O.N.E. classification system for kidney stones.His expertise is in using minimally invasive techniques for the management of complex kidney and ureteral stone disease, and urothelial cancers (transitional cell carcinoma) of the kidney and ureter. He also has special interest and expertise in Holmium and Thulium laser enucleation (HOLEP and ThuLEP) for enlarged prostates (BPH).In addition to treating patients and conducting research, Dr. Okeke serves as co-director of the Smith Institute for Urology endourology and laparoscopy fellowship training programs. He lectures at the American Urological Association s annual meetings and is frequently invited to speak before the World Congress of Endourology. A mentor and teacher, Dr. Okeke also serves as a surgeon and lecturer for live surgical demonstration courses at various international meetings.Dr. Okeke earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York City. He completed his Urology residency and served as Chief Resident in the Department of Urology at the New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Dr. Okeke's research interest includes surgical outcomes of kidney stone patients, grading and characterizing complex kidney stones to guide surgery and counseling with respect to outcomes. He has published in leading journals and textbooks including the Smith's Textbook of Endourology, Journal of Urology, Urology and Cancer. He is the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award at the North Shore LIJ Health System. Dr. Okeke also received the prestigious Arnold P. Gold Foundation Teaching Award for Humanism and Excellence in Teaching. Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons awarded its first Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Okeke for medical student teaching during his residency.