by Christina Echegaray
John Pope IV, MD, professor of Urologic Surgery and Pediatrics, has been named director of the Division of Pediatric Urology at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
He succeeds John W. Brock III, MD, Senior Vice President of Pediatric Surgical Services, Monroe Carell Jr. Professor and Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus, who is stepping down from the Division of Pediatric Urology after serving as its first and only director for 28 years. Brock will continue to see patients.
“I am thrilled that John has agreed to accept the role of director of the Division of Pediatric Urology,” Brock said. “He was a resident of mine in the early ’90s and then came on as one of our faculty members early in the division’s inception. He is a phenomenal clinician, accomplished researcher and mentor. I have watched him grow and excel over the years, and I am excited to pass the baton onto him to continue the tradition of excellence achieved by the pediatric urology team.
“I want to thank the entire urology team, the physicians, the nurses and the staff for the support, compassion and hard work they have brought to the table day in and day out to make Pediatric Urology a premier, destination program for families seeking the very best in care for their children,” Brock said.
Pope joined Vanderbilt in 1997 as the Division of Pediatric Urology’s third faculty member. In its infancy, the team consisted of Brock, Mark Adams, MD, and Pope. Now, the physician team includes seven members. The division is one of the largest pediatric urology programs in the nation.
He said he is grateful for the opportunity to lead the division, which he said would not be possible without Brock’s accomplishments, guidance and commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
“This division is his baby — he got it started and it continues as a dynasty of sorts. We owe our successes over the last 30 years to his leadership, and we want to continue to carry on his legacy,” Pope said. “I have been with him my whole career. Dr. Brock took me under his wing when I was a resident. He has been a mentor, guide, teacher, friend, and he has helped me develop through the years.”
Under Brock’s leadership, pediatric urology has become a nationally ranked program that takes pride in clinical care, research and training the next generation of pediatric urologists. The program, which attracts families from across the country for care, has been ranked in the top 10 pediatric urology programs in the country every year since U.S. News & World Report began ranking the specialty in 2009.
Pope looks to continue those successes as well as look to the future and evolution of care with ever-changing advances in technology and treatments for children with urological conditions.
“We have to remain committed to our pillar goals — clinical care, research and education. My goal is to continue building on the strengths of the division and lead it into the new decade,” Pope said.
“With new technology at the forefront of clinical care and education, it is critical that we stay current. We can’t rest on our laurels, and it’s important that we evolve and change with the times. We have so many great people here, all of whom have their own skills, and together we are a phenomenal team.”
Pope, who is a native of Kingsport, Tennessee, earned a Bachelor of Chemistry and Biology from Wake Forest University and a medical degree from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. He went on to do his general surgery internship and residency as well as his urology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He departed Vanderbilt for two years to do his pediatric urology fellowship at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, returning to Children’s Hospital for his faculty post in 1997.
His clinical areas of focus and expertise deal with urinary tract reconstructive surgery, kidney disease, overactive bladder and pediatric differences for sexual development (DSD). He has published more than 100 journal articles, and more than a dozen book chapters and presented at well over 300 scientific meetings nationwide.
