Ralph Clayman
Ralph V. Clayman (born November 3, 1947) is an American urologist and academic physician.[1] He is a distinguished professor of urology and dean emeritus at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine. He is known for performing the first laparoscopic nephrectomy in 1990.[2]
Early life and education
Clayman was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Grinnell College in 1969 and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in 1973.[3] He completed his internship and residency training in surgery and urology at the University of Minnesota in 1979, including a research year focused on cholesterol metabolism in renal cell carcinoma.[4]
Academic and clinical career
Clayman began his academic career at the University of Minnesota before joining Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he served as a tenured professor of urology and radiology.[5] During this period, he established the first formal fellowship program in endourology.[6]
In 1990, Clayman performed the first laparoscopic removal of a kidney in a patient.[7] He subsequently was part of the surgical team that performed the first laparoscopic prostatectomy and advanced endoscopic approaches for kidney stone disease and renal tumors.[8]
In 2002, Clayman became the founding chair of the Department of Urology at the University of California, Irvine, where he led the department until 2009.[8] From 2009 to 2014, he served as Dean of the UCI School of Medicine.[9]
Following his deanship, Clayman was appointed distinguished professor of urology and later dean emeritus.[4] He formally retired from the University of California in 2023 and was rehired part-time, continuing his clinical and research work in urolithiasis and co-directing UCI’s Curiosity and Innovation Laboratory.[10]
Clayman is a co-founder of the Endourology Society[11] and of the Journal of Endourology, serving as co-editor-in-chief of the journal for 34 years until 2020.[5]
His research focuses on laparoscopy, endoscopy, urolithiasis (kidney stone disease), renal cancer, ureteral obstruction, and surgical instrumentation, with emphasis on integrating clinical practice with technological development. Clayman’s work includes the development of instrumentation and techniques for minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment.[12]
Personal life
Clayman is married to Carol Heineman since 1974 and has two children.[13]
Awards
- St. Paul’s Medal, British Association of Urological Surgeons (2009)[14]
- Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (2011)[15]
- Ramon Guiteras Lifetime Achievement Award, American Urological Association (2010)[16]
- Keyes Medal American Association of GU Surgeons (2023)[17]
References
- ^ Yard, Delicia Honen (2012-07-13). "The Urologist Who Became a Dean: Interview with Ralph Clayman, MD". Renal and Urology News. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ Soputro, Nicolas Adrianto; Dias, Brendan Hermenigildo; Kochikar, Makarand V.; Corcoran, Niall M.; Agarwal, Dinesh K. (2022-10-01). "A Historical Perspective of the Evolution of Laparoscopic Surgeries in Urology". Journal of Endourology. 36 (10): 1277–1284. doi:10.1089/end.2022.0194. ISSN 0892-7790.
- ^ McDougall, Elspeth M. (2004). "Profile of Ralph Victor Clayman, MD, professor and Chair, Department of Urology, University of California Irvine". JSLS: Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. 8 (1): 97–98. ISSN 1086-8089. PMC 3015495. PMID 14974675.
- ^ a b "CJU - Legends in Urology". Canadian Journal of Urology. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ a b Smith, Arthur D. (2020-07-01). "Ralph V. Clayman, MD: A Legend in Our Field". Journal of Endourology. 34 (7): 720–720. doi:10.1089/end.2020.29088.asm. ISSN 0892-7790.
- ^ Figenshau, R. Sherburne. "Endourology Fellowship | Division of Urologic Surgery | Washington University in St. Louis Ralph V. Clayman started the fellowship in 1984". urology.wustl.edu. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ Brian (2013-06-12). "New treatment options for kidney cancer". WashU Medicine. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ a b Wagner, Steven K. "Surgical precision – UC Irvine News". news.uci.edu. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ Peterson, Melody (2013-12-04). "UCI medical dean leaving post next year". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ Murray, Shani. "Former Dean of UCI School of Medicine Ralph V. Clayman Receives the Keyes Medal | UC Irvine School of Medicine". medschool.uci.edu. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ "AUA 2023: John K. Lattimer Lecture Innovation in Urology: From a Seminal "Why" to a Functional "How"". www.urotoday.com. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ Edds, Kimberly (2006-01-07). "Steady robot seen as cutting edge". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ "Dr. R. V. Clayman Weds Miss Heineman". The New York Times. 1974-03-25. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ Titus, Taylor. "Urology Care Foundation Announces Addition to Board of Directors". Urology Care Foundation.
- ^ "Dr. Ralph V. Clayman an honorary fellow in Scotland – UC Irvine News". news.uci.edu. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ "AwardsArchive". api.auanet.org. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ^ "Pioneering UCI Health kidney surgeon honored for outstanding contributions in urology | UCI Health | Orange County, CA". www.ucihealth.org. Retrieved 2026-02-06.