Dr. Micah L. Hemani, who recently joined GBU Dedham, has been practicing general urology in the Boston metropolitan area for more than a decade.
He graduated from Yale University and the UMass Chan Medical School, and he completed his surgical and urology training at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Hemani is board certified in urology by the American Board of Urology and specializes in both male and female general urology.
We asked Dr. Hemani to sit down for a short Q&A, which you'll find below.
1. When did you know you wanted to become a doctor? Was there one a-ha moment or did you come to the decision over time?
DR. HEMANI: I didn’t decide on medicine until I was a senior in college. I majored in American history, so going to medical school was not necessarily a natural transition for me. Ultimately, I decided that I wanted to do work that was both mentally and physically challenging, and I wanted it to be meaningful and gratifying. Once I made that decision, medicine seemed like the obvious choice. That said, my father is a physician and my mother worked as a hospital chaplain, so in some ways, it was a comfortable fit.
2. What inspired you to pursue urology?
DR. HEMANI: I was inspired by many of the urologists that I encountered as a medical student. They were brilliant and passionate about their work, but also approachable and humble—a rare combination of traits to which I aspire. Urology also provides a uniquely diverse caseload—not only because it allows for the practice of both medicine and surgery, but also because it presents a really diverse array of problems to solve. We deal with fixable problems, life-threatening conditions, common issues, and also unique problems rarely encountered by most physicians.
3. What do you love most about the work that you do?
DR. HEMANI: I really enjoy the privilege of helping people with very sensitive health issues. I also love the explosion of new technology that supports modern urologic surgery. We use robots, scopes, several different types of lasers, and more. The technology seems to advance every year, making surgery more efficient and less invasive. It is very gratifying to be a part of that.
4. Tell us a little about yourself. Outside of work, what do you like to do? What's a surprising/fun fact that not too many people know about you?
DR. HEMANI: Outside of work, what I like to do depends entirely on the time of year. During baseball season, I like to watch the Sox, but I love to watch my 13-year-old son, who plays close to 100 games on 3 different leagues each spring. I try to get to as many of his games as I can, and I love watching his passion and skill level grow. I also try to stay active myself. I exercise daily. So when I tell my patients to eat better and exercise, I can tell my patients that I live by my words.
I am an avid gardener—trees mostly. I have planted more than 20 trees in our half-acre yard over the past 10 years. Yes, you read that right. One day I will live in a small suburban jungle, but it is perfect for now. [Editor's note: the picture to the right is one of Dr. Hemani's trees from his yard.]
5. You were born and raised in Newburyport. What do you love most about practicing in your hometown state? And please tell us you're a fan of all the Boston sports teams! :)
DR. HEMANI: Massachusetts is home for me, so practicing medicine here makes sense. I think I feel more a part of the community here than I might somewhere else. And, yes, I am a Boston sports fan, although no professional team can hold a card to the teams my kids play on!
6. Is there anything else you'd like patients to know?
DR. HEMANI: To all of the patients I have treated in this community over the past 12 years and for those yet to come, I want everyone to know that I am so excited for the opportunity to be a part of Greater Boston Urology. What a privilege to join a urology group that has worked tirelessly to be able to offer all treatment options to patients—and under one roof. I am also excited to rejoin the medical staff at the new Norwood Hospital—the first new hospital construction in Massachusetts in decades! I look forward to seeing everybody in Dedham.
Request an appointment with Dr. Hemani in our Dedham Care Center.