Paul A Merguerian, MD, MS

Paul A Merguerian, MD, MS

Urology, Differences in Sex Development, Reconstructive Pelvic Medicine, Fetal Care and Treatment Center

On staff since October 2011

Children's Title: Division Chief, Urology

Academic Title: Professor, Urology

Foundation Title: The Dr. Michael Mitchell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Urology

Research Center: Center for Clinical and Translational Research

    • Tessa Florence, MT 11.25.20

      Our daughter was diagnosed with a kidney issue in utero and we were referred to Dr.Merguerian before she was born. He was the only doctor who took the time to sit down with us and truly walk us through what was going on, and what the options could look like after birth. After she was born, we ended up needing to schedule her for surgery. COVID had just hit our state, so he wasn't able to travel to us as originally planned. He called us prior to our travels to talk over everything and discuss any fears we were having. After arriving in Seattle, he was a familiar face and gave us a some peace of mind as we passed our 2-month-old over for surgery. Our daughter is doing great now, and we owe so many thanks to Dr.Merguerian!

    • Sarah Lebanon, NH 02.22.19

      I saw Dr. Merguerian from the time I was 3 years old until I was 18. He consistently provided the most compassionate care I have ever received from a physician. He always made sure that I understood my condition and what it would mean for the future. My mother still talks about him to this day. He always reassured her and made sure it was clear I was getting the best medical care for my ureter blockages.

    • Peter Oshawa, Ontario, Canada 11.29.17

      My son was one of Dr. Merguerian's early patients at Sick Kids in Toronto. At four months, he had had a surgery to correct a right upper pelvic junction blockage, which unfortunately was unsuccessful. At nine months, Dr. Merguerian performed another surgery on his right kidney, which was successful. While it has been many years now, I've never forgotten Dr. Merguerian's compassion, skill and dedication in the care of my son. For that, I will forever be grateful. Dr. Merguerian gave my son an opportunity to live a normal life, which is a priceless gift. It may interest you to know he's recently graduated college as a Law Clerk. Also, his older brother has often mentioned how affected he was by the dedication of the entire staff at Sick Kids, which has led to him pursue a B. Sc. in Microbiology and Molecular Chemistry. He will graduate this coming spring as a Dean's List student and as the recipient of numerous academic and citizenship awards. He will be writing the MCAT exam with a goal of becoming a doctor himself. My son’s younger brother is in his third year in the Co-op Computer Science program at Waterloo University and his youngest brother is finishing Grade 12 with a 99.5% average in a full academic sciences curriculum. His goal is to follow his brother to Waterloo Computer Science. While I'm obviously proud of each of my sons accomplishments, I'm always mindful of the impact the time spent at Sick Kids has had on their lives. To see and experience the passion of each and every person associated with that amazing institution has been central to their approach to academics and to life. For all of your service to our family, Dr. Merguerian, please accept my thanks.

    • Rick Tacoma, WA 04.04.17

      Dr. Merguerian helped my family and we appreciate what he did. From the get go he was easy to reach and to the point. He saw us just a couple days after our diagnosis. He was calm, knowledgeable and most importantly removed my son's kidney and tumor in a safe way. We knew that most of the time these tumors are cancerous, but Dr. Merguerian was confident it wasn't, but only pathology could tell. During our one week wait, his words were reassuring. We were very lucky as the Dr. was right. However, if it was cancerous, I had full trust in Dr. Merguerian and his teams decision. Dr. Merguerian is a true professional and not arrogant as were his team of folks that worked on my son.

    • Gopal Bellevue, WA 11.03.15

      We moved to Bellevue from another state and I called to Seattle children's hospital and explained the Urine Reflux problem my son has. They suggested few available doctors finally I approached Dr. Merguerian. I don't know the name before, met him twice with appointments. He explained clearly what could be the condition after 6 months or 1 year if we continue using the medication what we were using. Finally we opted for a surgery suggested by Dr.Merguerian. He told us that everything will be alright. That went really well and my Son got recovered very soon. Based on my interaction with few doctors in my home country and Dr.Merguerian I can definitely say Dr.Mergerian is different and he is Outstanding. Dr.Merguerian, his staff and Staff at Seattle Children's Hospital took care of my Son very well.

    • Scott Seattle, WA 03.18.14

      We've all met really good doctors. They're good, they know it, and they act like it. Dr. Merguerian is on a different level. He's SO good, that he doesn't need to show it. You can tell how brilliant he is very quickly just from the way that he talks and carries himself. For such a good doctor to show the compassion he has shown for both our son and our family throughout the process has made a lasting impression. He has taken the time to thoroughly explain the procedures and answer all of the questions that we have. We feel incredibly fortunate and thankful that we happen to live in the city where he works.

    • Erin Manchester, NH 08.20.13

      Dr. Merguerian is a highly skilled, compassionate doctor who was able to take our child from a "scary place" following several urethral reconstructions with complications and poor outcomes, which were performed at a top rated hospital by a different surgeon, and "fix" the problems. Dr. Merguerian allowed us (parents) to ask questions without getting defensive or frustrated and gently reassured us throughout the years he cared for our child. We were deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Merguerian was moving out of our area and would not be able to follow our child further, however we continue to be thankful for the highly skilled and caring service he provided while he was in the Northeast region.

    • Harvest Newbury, Vermont 11.20.11

      Dr. Merguerian is a fantastic Doctor who has saved our daughter's life from when she was born August 29, 2005 to current. He has performed many surgeries and reconstructions on our daughter from her cloaca anomaly, repairing of her fistula to bladder surgery and many more. He worked hard to get Rylie to a state were she could function and be as independent as possible. He is very caring and takes pride in his work. We highly recommend Dr. Merguerian. Your child will be in good hands. If Rylie needed another major surgery we would travel across county just to have him perform the surgery on our daughter.

    • Megan Winchester, NH 10.19.11

      Dr. Merguerian is an amazing surgeon with a very steady hand. He has performed 3 surgeries on my son while he in practice in Lebanon, NH at DHMC. These surgeries were for my son's epispadias fix, initial closure for BLADDER EXSTROPHY, and hernia repairs. Your child will be in good hands with Dr. Merguerian. :)

    Recommend Paul A Merguerian, MD, MS
  • Award Name Award Description Awarded By Award Date
    SEATTLE TOP DOCTOR - 2022 Seattle Magazine 2022
    Seattle Top Doctor - 2019 Seattle Magazine 2019
    SEATTLE'S TOP DOCTOR - 2018 Seattle Magazine 2018
    SEATTLE'S TOP DOCTOR - 2017 Seattle Magazine 2017
    Seattles Top Doctor 2016 Seattle Met Magazine 2016
    Newsweek Health: Top Cancer Doctors 2015 Newsweek 2015
    U.S. News Top Doctor U.S. News and World Report 2012
    Third Prize Clinical Science Research Award American Academy of Pediatrics 2009

  • Other Publications

    • Ellison JS, Merguerian PA, Fu BC, Holt SK, Lendvay TS, Shnorhavorian M
      Postoperative Imaging Patterns of Pediatric Nephrolithiasis: Opportunities for Improvement.
      30316895 The Journal of urology, 2019 April : 201(4)794-801
    • Whitley JA, Gnaneswaran S, Thach M, Taylor AC, Merguerian PA, Kieran K
      Availability of Common Pediatric Radiology Studies: Are Rural Patients at a Disadvantage?
      30527482 The Journal of surgical research, 2019 Feb. : 23426-32
    • Ellison JS, Merguerian PA, Fu BC, Holt SK, Lendvay TS, Gore JL, Shnorhavorian M
      Follow-up imaging after acute evaluations for pediatric nephrolithiasis: Trends from a National database.
      29866410 Journal of pediatric urology, 2018 Dec. : 14(6)525-531
    • Ahn JJ, Merguerian PA, Shnorhavorian M
      Incidence and risk factors associated with 30-day post-operative venous thromboembolism: A NSQIP-pediatric analysis.
      29784455 Journal of pediatric urology, 2018 Aug. : 14(4)335.e1-335.e6
    • Ellison JS, Dy GW, Fu BC, Holt SK, Gore JL, Merguerian PA
      Neonatal Circumcision and Urinary Tract Infections in Infants With Hydronephrosis.
      29880703 Pediatrics, 2018 July : 142(1)
    • Merguerian P
      Commentary to "The implications of fellowship expansion on future pediatric urologist surgical volumes".
      29958644 Journal of pediatric urology, 2018 June : 14(3)251
    • Merguerian P
      Commentary to: 'Non-stented versus stented urethroplasty for distal hypospadias repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis'.
      29958640 Journal of pediatric urology, 2018 June : 14(3)220
    • Ellison JS, Shnorhavorian M, Oron A, Kieran K, Lendvay TS, Merguerian PA
      Risk factors for repeat surgical intervention in pediatric nephrolithiasis: A Pediatric Health Information System database study.
      29580730 Journal of pediatric urology, 2018 June : 14(3)245.e1-245.e6
    • Dudley AG, Adams MC, Brock JW 3rd, Clayton DB, Joseph DB, Koh CJ, Merguerian PA, Pope JC 4th, Routh JC, Thomas JC, Tu DD, Wallis MC, Wiener JS, Yerkes EB, Lauderdale CJ, Shannon CN, Tanaka ST
      Interrater Reliability in Interpretation of Neuropathic Pediatric Urodynamic Tracings: An Expanded Multicenter Study.
      29291418 The Journal of urology, 2018 May : 199(5)1337-1343
    • Uspal NG, Strelitz B, Gritton J, Follmer K, Bradford MC, Colton TL, Merguerian PA, Klein EJ
      Randomized Clinical Trial of Lidocaine Analgesia for Transurethral Bladder Catheterization Delivered via Blunt Tipped Applicator in Young Children.
      29232351 Pediatric emergency care, 2018 April : 34(4)273-279
    • Dy GW, Gore JL, Muncey WW, Ellison JS, Merguerian PA
      Comparative effectiveness of a pilot patient-centered ultrasound report in the management of hydronephrosis.
      29054388 Journal of pediatric urology, 2018 Feb. : 14(1)57.e1-57.e7
    • Merguerian P
      Commentary to 'Reduction and standardization of surgical instruments in pediatric inguinal hernia repair'.
      29203366 Journal of pediatric urology, 2018 Feb. : 14(1)25
    • Dy GW, Ellison JS, Fu BC, Holt SK, Gore JL, Merguerian PA
      Variable Resource Utilization in the Prenatal and Postnatal Management of Isolated Hydronephrosis.
      28583878 Urology, 2017 Oct. : 108155-160
    • Ellison JS, Merguerian PA, Fu BC, Holt SK, Lendvay TS, Gore JL, Shnorhavorian M
      Use of medical expulsive therapy in children: An assessment of nationwide practice patterns and outcomes.
      28483465 Journal of pediatric urology, 2017 Oct. : 13(5)509.e1-509.e7 PMCID:PMC5947996
    • Ellison JS, Ahn J, Shnorhavorian M, Grady R, Merguerian PA
      Long-term fate of the upper tracts following complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy.
      28592391 Journal of pediatric urology, 2017 Aug. : 13(4)394.e1-394.e6
    • Ahn JJ, Shnorhavorian M, Amies Oelschlager AE, Ripley B, Shivaram GM, Avansino JR, Merguerian PA
      Use of 3D reconstruction cloacagrams and 3D printing in cloacal malformations.
      28673795 Journal of pediatric urology, 2017 Aug. : 13(4)395.e1-395.e6
    • Dy GW, Osbun NC, Morrison SD, Grant DW, Merguerian PA, Transgender Education Study Group.
      Exposure to and Attitudes Regarding Transgender Education Among Urology Residents.
      27576024 The journal of sexual medicine, 2016 Oct. : 13(10)1466-72
    • Ellison JS, Shnorhavorian M, Merguerian PA, Grady R
      Impact of concomitant hernia repair at the time of complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy.
      27264049 Journal of pediatric urology, 2016 Aug. : 12(4)211.e1-5
    • Merguerian PA
      Should Geometric Mean Calculation of Differential Renal Function be Used When Evaluating Children with Moderate to Severe Hydronephrosis?
      26549548 The Journal of urology, 2016 Feb. : 195(2)247-8
    • Herz D, Smith J, McLeod D, Schober M, Preece J, Merguerian P
      Robot-assisted laparoscopic management of duplex renal anomaly: Comparison of surgical outcomes to traditional pure laparoscopic and open surgery.
      26443241 Journal of pediatric urology, 2016 Feb. : 12(1)44.e1-7
    • Young EE, Brown CT, Merguerian PA, Akhavan A
      Pediatric and adolescent renal cell carcinoma.
      26299882 Urologic oncology, 2016 Jan. : 34(1)42-9
    • Dy GW, Willihnganz-Lawson KH, Shnorhavorian M, Delaney SS, Amies Oelschlager AM, Merguerian PA, Grady R, Miller JL, Cheng EY
      Successful pregnancy in patients with exstrophy-epispadias complex: A University of Washington experience.
      26092092 Journal of pediatric urology, 2015 Aug. : 11(4)213.e1-6
    • Merguerian PA, Grady R, Waldhausen J, Libby A, Murphy W, Melzer L, Avansino J
      Optimizing value utilizing Toyota Kata methodology in a multidisciplinary clinic.
      26169487 Journal of pediatric urology, 2015 Aug. : 11(4)228.e1-6
    • Akhavan A, Richards M, Shnorhavorian M, Goldin A, Gow K, Merguerian PA
      Renal cell carcinoma in children, adolescents and young adults: a National Cancer Database study.
      25451825 The Journal of urology, 2015 April : 193(4)1336-41

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  • Presentations Title Event Location Date
    First stage hypospadias repair using buccal mucosal graft Society for Pediatric Urology Panel discussion Boston, MA May 2017
    Bladder exstrophy: Long term outcomes Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY March 9, 2017
    Hypospadias repair: Long term outcomes Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY March 9, 2017
    Lean Methodology in Pediatric Urology Practice University of Massachusetts Worcester, MA April 2016
    Management of Cloacal Anomalies Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Feb. 26, 2016
    Evidence Based Management of Ureterocele Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Feb. 26, 2016
    Long term outcomes of posterior urethral valves and prune belly syndrome Pelvic Floor Surgery Conference: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus, Ohio Nov. 5, 2015
    Evidence Based Management of Vesicoureteral Reflux NorthEastern Section of the American Urological Association Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Oct. 28, 2015
    Management of posterior urethral valves Pediatric Urology Workshop Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio April 17, 2015
    Management of bladder exstrophy Pediatric Urology Workshop Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio April 17, 2015
    International workshop on bladder exstrophy Visiting Professorship Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India Jan. 16, 2015
  • Grant Title Grantor Amount Award Date
    Pediatric Urology - NIH PUA $100,000 2013

Overview

Board Certification(s)

Urology
Pediatric Urology

Medical/Professional School

Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Residency

Hadassah Hospital-Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Strong Memorial Hospital/University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

Fellowship

Hospital For Sick Children-Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Clinical Interests

Hypospadias, Bladder exstrophy, Undescended testicles, Hernia and hydrocele, vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, urinary tract infections, Disorders of Sexual Differentiation, Neurogenic bladder and Spina Bifida.

Research Description

Evidence base outcomes in pediatric urology, Quality improvement, Patient safety.