The Man Behind Men’s Health: Transforming Prostate Cancer Care

Dr. Arthur L. “Bud” Burnett II, M.D., MBA, FACS, is a trail-blazing and globally recognized urologist, educator, and researcher at Johns Hopkins University, where he has worked for more than 40 years. He serves as the Patrick C. Walsh Professor of Urology, Director of the Male Consultation Clinic.

As a barrier-breaking leader, he is recognized as the first Black person to have achieved milestones in the urology profession as professor of urology at Johns Hopkins University, President of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA), and Board Member of the American Urological Association. Please note that Dr. Burnett is speaking on the podcast as an individual and not on behalf of Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Burnett has devoted his professional life to advancing patient care, performing thousands of prostate and urologic surgeries and pioneering minimally invasive, nerve-sparing techniques that help patients recover faster and maintain quality of life. His groundbreaking research on erectile function helped make oral therapies like Viagra possible, and he continues to innovate treatments that improve outcomes for men and women alike.

A passionate educator and champion of men’s and boys’ health and wellness, Dr. Burnett has published more than 500 scientific articles and three books, sharing his insights with the medical community and the public. His works include Johns Hopkins Patient’s Guide to Prostate Cancer (2010), an authoritative resource that walks patients and their families through diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery; Prostate Cancer Survivors Speak Their Minds (2010), co-written with CBS News producer Norman S. Morris, which shares the voices and experiences of men who have faced prostate cancer alongside Dr. Burnett’s expert commentary; and The Manhood Rx: Every Man’s Guide to Improving Sexual Health and Overall Wellness (2022), a comprehensive guide that distills decades of research and clinical insight into accessible advice for maintaining sexual health and vitality. His next book is expected in 2026.

As founder of UroMissionsWorks, a nonprofit bringing critical urologic care to communities in need worldwide, Dr. Burnett’s work has earned him numerous honors, including the American Urological Association Distinguished Contribution Award and the Hugh Hampton Young Award. These recognitions reflect his lifelong commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate care.

He is also a proud military veteran. A distinguished military graduate of Princeton University’s ROTC program, Dr. Burnett was commissioned in May 1984 and served as an active U.S. Army reservist from 1984 to 1994, when he was honorably retired with the rank of Major.

Whether through his groundbreaking achievements, research, compassionate patient care, and service to community and country, Dr. Burnett continues to help shape the future of men’s health worldwide.

Learn more about Dr. Burnett here: https://drarthurburnett.com/