Biographical summary
Ram Pathak, M.D., is a urologic oncologist and associate professor at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where he provides advanced, patient-centered care for individuals with prostate cancer and related conditions. Dr. Pathak serves as vice-chair of research and Fellowship Director of the Minimally-invasive Endourology Fellowship within the Department of Urology. He specializes in the evaluation of elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA), MRI-guided transperineal prostate biopsy, robotic-assisted prostatectomy, and focal therapy. His care philosophy centers on combining evidence-based medicine, advanced technology, and individualized strategies to achieve excellent cancer control while preserving quality of life.
Dr. Pathak offers expertise in minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted procedures with advanced nerve-sparing approaches. A Jacksonville native, he is deeply committed to caring for patients in the community he has long called home.
Areas of expertise
Dr. Pathak focuses on advanced diagnostic and treatment options for people with prostate cancer, tailoring care plans to their unique needs. His areas of expertise include:
- Elevated PSA evaluation: Comprehensive assessment and individualized risk stratification using advanced diagnostic tools
- MRI-guided transperineal prostate biopsy: Image-guided precision sampling to improve diagnostic accuracy
- Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: Minimally invasive surgery using nerve-sparing techniques on multiport and single-port robotic platforms
- Focal therapy: Targeted treatment for localized prostate cancer tailored to disease characteristics and patient priorities
- Minimally invasive urologic oncology: Surgical and non-surgical approaches that optimize cancer control and functional outcomes
Research and expertise
Dr. Pathak's research focuses on advancing diagnostic technologies and surgical innovations that improve outcomes for people with prostate cancer. His work includes MRI-guided biopsy techniques, robotic surgery, focal therapy, and strategies that enhance oncologic and functional results. He is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgical oncology and actively contributes to education as vice-chair of research and Fellowship Director in the Department of Urology.
Dr. Pathak completed medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine, urology residency at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, and fellowship training in minimally invasive surgical oncology at Wake Forest University
Personal note
Having grown up in Jacksonville, Dr. Pathak is proud to serve patients in his hometown. Outside of clinical practice, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, exploring new cultures through food, and outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and boating. He is an avid supporter of the Jacksonville Jaguars and enjoys music and local arts, including performances by the Jacksonville Symphony.
"Every patient deserves a treatment plan that reflects both the biology of their cancer and what matters most to them," says Dr. Pathak. "My goal is to provide patients with the information they need to make confident decisions while delivering the most advanced, minimally invasive care available."
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- Minimally-invasive Oncology
- Robotic Surgery
- Nerve-sparing
- Focal Therapy
- Transperineal Prostate Biopsy
- Urologic Cancers
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2018
Fellowship - Minimally-invasive Surgical OncologyWake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- 2017
ResidentUrology, Programs in Florida, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2013
Internship - General SurgeryMayo School of Graduate Medical Education
- 2012
MDDrexel University School of Medicine
- 2008
BS - Biology Major/Psychology Minor (Combined Bachelor of Sciences/Medical Doctorate Program, B.S./M.D.)Drexel University
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2020
UrologyAmerican Board of Urology
Awards and honors
- 2021
Medical Student Research Day Award for Excellence: Vanessa Lukas, MS3. Catastrophic Events Related to Tuberous Sclerosis Complex are Unlikely in those Undergoing Routine Surveillance.
Role: Primary Mentor
Wake Forest University
- 2021
Silver Touchstone Award Winner: 2021 Atrium Health Quality and Patient Experience. A Novel Multimodal Opioid-free Pathway for Postoperative Pain Management: Eliminating Postoperative Opioids for Veterans Undergoing Robotic-assisted Radical ProstatectomyWake Forest University
- 2021
Best Moderated Poster Urologic Society for American Veterans (USAV) Annual Meeting: Is an Opioid-Free Pathway Feasible for Veterans Undergoing Robotic Prostatectomy?American Urological Association
- 2021
Second Place Award; Top 10 Abstract: Vanessa Lukas, MS3. Women in Medicine and Science Research Day. Gender Differences in Oncologic Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Partial Cystectomy with Median Follow-up of 5 years.
Role: Primary Mentor
Wake Forest University
- 2021
Developing Strategies to De-implement CT imaging for the evaluation of low-risk microscopic hematuria, Co-Investigator. $40,000Wake Forest Clinical and Translational Science Institute
- 2021
Role of Amnion-Chorion-Amnion Stem Cell Graft Placed at time of Robotic Radical Prostatectomy to Enhance Postoperative Functional Outcomes, Principal Investigator, Lead Surgeon and Investigator, $50,000.Samaritan Biologics
- 2020
Best Poster American Urological Association Moderate Poster session 19. Prostate Cancer: Localized: Surgical Therapy I: The Role of BMI on Hospital Readmission after Minimally-invasive Radical ProstatectomyAmerican Urological Association
- 2020
Student Clinical Science Gold Award Vanessa Lukas, MS3: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Surgical sciences Residents and Fellows Research Day. Long-term Oncological Outcomes for Partial Cystectomy with 24-month Median Follow-up
Role: Primary Mentor
Wake Forest University
- 2020
Donation made in my honor for the 37th Annual Winterlark – Wake Forest University Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual BenefitWake Forest University
- 2019
Early Career Investigator American Urological Association
- 2017
Travel Scholarship Award American society of lasers in medicine and surgery
- 2015
Health Care HeroJacksonville Business Journal
- 2015
Mayo Clinic Physician Education of the YearMayo Clinic
- 2015
Milton Copeland Pyelogram Competition - 3rd place Florida Urological Society
- 2015
Travel Scholarship Award ($2,000) Society of International Urology
- 2008
Magna Cum Laude Drexel University
- 2008
Grand Prize Essay Contest – Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences Publishing Group Drexel University
- 2005
Dean's List Drexel University
Professional memberships
- 2020 - 2022
DelegateWake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- 2019 - 2022
Medical Student Clerkship DirectorWake Forest University School of Medicine
- 2019 - 2022
Board MemberNorth Carolina Urological Association
- 2018 - 2022
MemberAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- 2017 - present
Committee Member and Reviewer, Futures Grants InvestigatorAmerican Urological Association
- 2017 - present
Candidate MemberEndourology Society
- 2016 - 2017
MemberMayo Clinic Simulation Sub-Committee
- 2012 - present
Member at LargeAmerican Urological Association
Publications