Researcher | Research Overview
Julia Beth Finkelstein, MD, MPH, is a pediatric urologist who is formally trained in quality improvement methodology. Her research interests have focused on quality improvement and innovation, including use of telecommunication technology to improve patient care. During fellowship, she implemented a structured postoperative telemedicine program within the Urology Department at Boston Children’s Hospital. This work pre-dated the COVID-19 pandemic and was far-sighted in its relevance.
Dr. Finkelstein now has grant funding to determine the accuracy, efficacy, and equitability of telemedicine for the assessment of pediatric urologic patients. She continues to make strides in investigating and improving the use of telemedicine at the institutional level, regionally, as well as nationally within pediatric urology. To this end, Dr. Finkelstein is the chair of the Societies for Pediatric Urology Telehealth Taskforce. She also serves as the co-lead of the pediatric urology specialty advisory committee for the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and is a member of the American Urological Association Quality Improvement and Patient Safety committee.
Researcher | Research Background
Dr. Finkelstein graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University and then received her medical degree from New York University Grossman School of Medicine. She completed a six-year Urology residency at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Finkelstein continued her training with a pediatric urology fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. She also completed a Fellowship in Patient Safety and Quality through Harvard Medical School and obtained a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Dr. Finkelstein is leading local quality improvement efforts as the Director of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety for the Department of Urology at Boston Children’s Hospital. In this role, she works tirelessly to establish an ongoing program to improve the quality of care provided to pediatric urology patients, through a combination of clinical innovation and quality improvement. Dr. Finkelstein seeks to drive innovation in healthcare with data-driven improvement projects that aim to provide patients with the best possible care. In addition, she mentors urology fellows, educates urology residents and medical students, and teaches students obtaining a Master of Healthcare Quality and Safety degree at Harvard Medical School.
Researcher | Media
Caregiver Profile
Meet Dr. Julia Finkelstein