Ralph V. Clayman, MD
Dr. Clayman specializes in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Renal Diseases. Listed among the Best Doctors in America, he is world renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery for kidney cancer, ureter strictures, and kidney stone disease. Dr. Clayman and his associates preformed the world’s first laparoscopic removal of a kidney for a tumor, as well as the first laparoscopic removal of a kidney and ureter to treat cancer. The team also developed a cutting balloon catheter to treat ureter obstruction and performed groundbreaking work on endoscopic and percutaneous therapy for kidney and ureteral stones.
Fully immersed in his clinical and research work, Dr. Clayman has 14 minimally invasive surgical patents to his name and has received multiple national and international awards.
Dr. Clayman specializes in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Renal Diseases. Listed among the Best Doctors in America, he is world renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery for kidney cancer, ureter strictures, and kidney stone disease. Dr. Clayman and his associates preformed the world’s first laparoscopic removal of a kidney for a tumor, as well as the first laparoscopic removal of a kidney and ureter to treat cancer. The team also developed a cutting balloon catheter to treat ureter obstruction and performed groundbreaking work on endoscopic and percutaneous therapy for kidney and ureteral stones.
Fully immersed in his clinical and research work, Dr. Clayman has 14 minimally invasive surgical patents to his name and has received multiple national and international awards.
Biography
Dr. Clayman graduated from Grinnell College and the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He went on to complete general surgery and urology training at the University of Minnesota before spending two years at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas pursuing interests in minimally invasive urology, kidney stone disease, and renal cancer research. Dr. Clayman spent 17 years in St. Louis at the Washington University School of Medicine, serving as Professor of Urology and Radiology, Director of the Midwest Stone Institute, and Inaugural Co-Director of the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery.
Dr. Clayman joined UC Irvine in 2002 and served a Chair and Professor of the Department of Urology, during which the program was ranked among the top 20 in the country. In 2009, Dr. Clayman became Dean of the School of Medicine before returning to the Department of Urology after five years.
Roles & Memberships
Dr. Clayman has authored textbooks on percutaneous and laparoscopic urologic surgery, as well as more than 400 peer-reviewed papers and chapters. He co-founded and serves as co-editor of the Journal of Endourology.