Marie-Therese Valovska, MD
Dr. Marie-Therese Valovska is a fellowship-trained reconstructive urologist. As the Director of Urologic Trauma & Reconstruction for Hackensack Meridian Health, she specializes in restoring function and improving the quality of life for her patients.
Dr. Valovska's clinical expertise covers a wide range of conditions utilizing both open and robotic surgical techniques. Her specialties include the treatment of urethral and ureteral strictures, post-prostatectomy incontinence, and urinary fistulae. She also manages conditions such as ureteropelvic junction obstruction, vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis and bladder neck contracture, genitourinary trauma, Fournier’s Gangrene, erectile dysfunction, and Peyronie's disease.
She completed her urological surgery residency at Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Following her residency, Dr. Valovska pursued advanced subspecialty training in Urologic Trauma and Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Washington/Harborview Medical Center, one of the nation’s leading reconstructive urology programs.
She has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals as well as chapters on advanced urinary reconstruction. She is committed to an individualized approach to patient care, prioritizing each patient's personal values and treatment goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a reconstructive urologist?
A reconstructive urologist is a specialist who has advanced training in rebuilding the urinary tract after damage from trauma, surgery, or other conditions. Their primary goal is to restore urinary function and improve a patient's quality of life.
2. What options do you offer for treatment of urethral stricture disease?
There are typically 2 main options for treatment of urethral stricture disease:
- Endoscopic options including balloon dilation
- Urethroplasty with or without the use of a buccal mucosal graft from the cheek
Depending on your prior surgeries, the location and characteristics of your stricture, and your goals, Dr. Valovska will help you determine what option is best for you. Some patients may even choose alternative options such as a perineal urethrostomy.
3. I have urinary incontinence after my prostate cancer surgery. Can you help?
Absolutely. Post-prostatectomy incontinence can be treated to help you return to your normal activity levels after prostatectomy without worrying about leakage. Effective surgical treatments are available, depending on your degree of incontinence and medical and surgical history, Dr. Valovska will help you find the best treatment modality for you.
4. What does "urologic trauma" involve?
Urologic trauma is any injury to the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, or genitals, resulting from accidents, prior surgeries, or radiation therapy. Dr. Valovska’s specialized training focuses on surgically repairing these complex injuries to preserve organ function and quality of life. Repairs can sometimes be done primarily, but other times require the use of buccal mucosal graft from the inside of the cheek, bowel interposition, muscle flaps, or skin grafts.
5. What are the advantages of robotic reconstruction?
Robotic surgery enhances precision and control through 3D vision and tiny instruments. For patients, this minimally invasive approach typically results in smaller incisions, less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery. At Hackensack, we use the latest robotic technology and are experts at using these systems to help reconstruct the ureters, bladder, or bladder neck, or to repair select urinary tract fistulae.
6. Where is Dr. Valovska’s office located?
Dr. Valovska sees patients at HMH - Urology Clifton at the Hackensack Meridian Health and Wellness Center in Clifton, NJ. She operates at Hackensack’s main campus and at Palisades Medical Center.
7. How can I schedule an appointment with Dr. Valovska?
You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Valovska by booking online or calling her office at 973-230-6666.
Philosophy of Care
Complex urologic conditions — whether from trauma, cancer treatment, or congenital differences — require both technical precision and thoughtful, individualized care. Dr. Valovska’s approach to reconstructive urology is grounded in advanced, evidence-based surgical techniques and a deep respect for the personal impact these conditions have on her patient’s lives.
She believes effective reconstruction begins with careful listening. Each consultation is an opportunity to understand a patient’s goals, clarify expectations, and develop a treatment plan that is aligned with what matters most to the patient. Clear communication and honest guidance are central to that process.
In the operating room, she prioritizes meticulous technique and thoughtful, deliberate decision-making. Post-operatively, she remains committed to long-term follow-up and continuity of care, recognizing that reconstructive surgery is often a journey rather than a single event.
Dr. Valovska’s goal is not only to restore function, but to help patients regain confidence, independence, and quality of life through thoughtful, patient-centered care and excellent surgical technique.
Scientific Research Articles
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=marie-therese+valovska
- Valovska MT, Wessells H. Advance XP Sling: Tips and Tricks for Optimal Outcomes. In: Kocjancic E, Rahmeen OA, editors. Complications of Urologic Prosthesis in Male Lower Genitourinary Reconstruction: A Surgical Video Atlas. 1st ed. Springer Nature; 2025. Chapter 37. ISBN 978-3-031-92632-7
- Valovska MT, Woodle T, Hagedorn JC. Surgical management of vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis. Investig Clin Urol. 2025 Sep;66(5):383-394. doi: 10.4111/icu.20250105. PMID: 40897657; PMCID: PMC12437574.
- Koch GE, Valovska MT, Maldonado R, Shish L, Jackson M, Firoozabadi R, Wessells H, Hagedorn JC, Skokan AJ. Imaging Findings Associated With Failure of Conservative Management After Blunt Extraperitoneal Bladder Injury. Urology. 2024 Dec;194:247-252. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2024.09.053. Epub 2024 Sep 30. PMID: 39357576.
- Venna A, Valovska MT, Estrada CR, Borer JG, Nelson CP. False-positive urine pregnancy screening tests are uncommon in the hospital setting among patients with bowel-containing urinary tract reconstruction. J Pediatr Urol. 2023 Jun;19(3):312.e1-312.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2023.02.001. Epub 2023 Feb 6. PMID: 36828730.
Select Presentations
- Borer J, Valovska MT, Wang HH. Primary and Reoperative Cecoureterocele: Definitive Reconstruction with Pubic Symphysis Splitting. Video display: European Society of Pediatric Urology; 2023 April 19-22; Lisbon, Portugal
- Valovska MT, Weiss T, Kanobolo D, Skokan A, Hagedorn JC. Complex Anastomotic Posterior Urethroplasty for Pelvic Fracture Urethral Injury: Combined SP Robotic Transabdominal and Perineal Approach. Video Abstract, American Urological Association; 2025 April 26-28; Las Vegas, NV.
- Roach VA, Burke DM, Gong AT, Hagedorn JC, Hananel DM, Leuschke R, Skokan AJ, Speich JR, Traina DJ, Valovska MT, Wessels HB, Wingate JT, Sweet RM. What is Tension-Free? Utilizing Black Light Assessment of Surgical Technique (BLAST) to Quantify Suture Tension in an Advanced Ureteral Repair Simulator; Poster: Engineering and Urology Society; 2025 April 28; Las Vegas, NV.
- Gong AT; Roach VA; Burke DM; Hagedorn JC; Hananel DM; Leuschke R; Skokan AJ; Speich JR; Traina DJ; Valovska MT; Wessels HB; Wingate JT; Sweet RM. Assessment of Suture Tension on an Advanced Ureteral Repair Simulator using Black Light Assessment of Surgical Technique (BLAST). The Association for Surgical Education, May 2025, Seattle, WA and Military Health System Research Symposium, August 2025, Orlando, FL
- Roach VA, Burke DM, Gong AT, Hagedorn JC, Hananel DM, Leuschke R, Skokan AJ, Speich JR, Traina DJ, Valovska MT, Wessels HB, Wingate JT, Sweet RM. Assessing the Fidelity, Usability and Educational Utility of a Comprehensive Training System for Ureteral Trauma Repair Surgery. The Association for Surgical Education, May 2025; Seattle, WA and Military Health System Research Symposium, August 2025, Orlando, FL
- Puri D, Nguyen A, Valovska MT, Naser-Tavakolian A, Slota J, Pandit K, Amini E, Crooks S, Kirschenbaum M, Lee Z, Hagedorn JC, Buckley JC. The Impact of Social Deprivation on Presentation and Characteristics of Ureteral Strictures After Reconstructive Surgery. Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, September 25-27, 2025; Minneapolis, MN
- Valovska MT, Haggart R, Maldonado R, Koch GE, Lee Z, Wessells HB, Hagedorn JC, Skokan AJ. Ballistic Ureteral Injuries: A 20-Year Analysis of Ureteral Trauma Secondary to Gunshot Wounds at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, September 25-27, 2025; Minneapolis, MN
- Awada O, Valovska MT, Koch GE, Wolff K, Hagedorn JC. To debride or not to debride? Do Fournier’s Gangrene patient outcomes improve with debridement prior to transfer to larger center? Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, September 25-27, 2025; Minneapolis, MN
- Shao Y, Valovska MT, Koch GE, Yang C, Hagedorn JC. Testicular Endocrine Function Following Fournier’s Gangrene. Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, September 25-27, 2025; Minneapolis, MN
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