Looking Back at 2024 with Gratitude

By: Jon Mackler, Chief Operating Officer, MPA, FACHE and Michael Hagg, MD, Market President

As we look forward to the coming year and the goals we’ve established at MidLantic Urology, we can’t help but look back. These 2024 highlights below are the result of collaboration among our physicians, staff, and our patients throughout Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. We are so grateful.

1. Advancements in prostate cancer treatment. In 2024, 10 MidLantic Urology physicians and 11 of our advanced practice providers completed elevated training on treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer. We call these 21 providers “champions” because their commitment is ongoing: As long as prostate cancer persists, they will train to provide the most progressive treatment options available to patients in Philadelphia and the surrounding region.
2. Expanding our reach to more patients. MidLantic’s collaborative roots supported growth throughout 2024. Most recently, in September, MidLantic welcomed Keystone Urology Specialists to our care team. Keystone adds 18 specialists, four locations, and a clinical lab. This addition followed two office openings, in Kennett Square and West Chester. To help run our expanded footprint, we’ve recruited four new physicians – Dr. Michael McKenna, Dr. Albert DeNittis, Dr. Anthony Tokarski, and Dr. Michael Nagar – and four advanced practice providers – Alan Alex, Amanda Cappuccino, Tanya Kozuch, and Therese Vivas.
3. Advancing future care through personalized gene-testing. Up to 10% of all cancers are hereditary, according to the National Cancer Institute. Patients who want to know if they carry the genes that put them at risk can now undergo genetic testing with our Precision GU program, which began in 2024. This specialized blood test, examined at our own labs and customized to your specific request, can predict your risk for a range of diseases. Further, the test can determine if your children might inherit risk. This knowledge can inform your healthcare decisions and lifestyle.
4. Winning the community’s race toward ZERO. Scores of MidLantic Urology providers, staff, and patients supported the 2024 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk in Philadelphia this September. Together, our community raised more than $147,000 for prostate cancer patients and families. ZERO is the nation’s only series event dedicated solely to prostate cancer, and 85 cents of every dollar goes directly to its life-saving programs. We thank the many individuals and teams for their fundraising and awareness efforts; our many local sponsors; and the 28 members of the MidLantic Urology team!
5. The chance to share what we know. We’re fortunate that our physicians want to volunteer their time to educate the community, and that the community is listening. Our doctors regularly host free webinars on health topics including enlarged prostate treatment options, women’s urinary health, and sexual wellness. These webinars are free to watch on our website. Our physicians also provide interviews on radio and in print, including a good-news story in the Philadelphia Inquirer relating how Dr. Steven Hirshberg kept cool while performing a delicate vasectomy during an earthquake.
6. Our pioneering providers. In November Dr. Dean Laganosky won our trade association’s Trailblazer Award for 2024, which honors a urologist who has made significant contributions within their first 10 years of practice. Chosen among a field of worthy recipients from throughout the U.S., Dr. Laganosky is a literal urology pioneer. He is the first urologist in the nation to perform highly specialized implantations for prostate disease, and to lead several investigations into emerging medical procedures. As one patient described Dr. Laganosky, “He clearly loves his patients and his work. I always learn something whenever I visit him.”
7. Having a team of all-around stars. Finally, we’re grateful for the many patients who place their trust in our providers to take expert care of their urologic needs. Our physicians’ Google ratings average 4.9 out of 5, but they don’t achieve those stars on their own. We earn this score through collaboration with our patients.

Let’s Make 2025 Even Better

Our path through 2024 has brought us to a great place, and we aspire for a better 2025. We hope you and those you care about are there to share it with us. Look forward to seeing you then.

Interested in meeting us? You can find a MidLantic Urology provider near you at one of our 42 locations.