Arthur Louis Burnett, M.D.

Headshot of Arthur Louis Burnett
  • Director, Basic Science Laboratory in Neuro-Urology
  • Professor of Urology
Male

Expertise

Cystocele, Enterocele, Erectile Dysfunction, Gender Affirming Care, Male Sexual Dysfunction, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Pelvic Relaxation, Penile Cancer, Penile Deformities, Peyronie's Disease, Prostate Cancer, Rectocele, Scrotal Cancer, Sexual Disorders and Dysfunctions, Stress Incontinence, Urethral Cancer, Urethral Diverticulum, Urethral Fistulas, Urinary Incontinence, Urologic Surgery, Urological Oncology, Urology ...read more

Research Interests

Urethral cancer; Stress incontinence; Sexual disorders and dysfunctions; Scrotal cancer; Rectocele; Prostate cancer; Peyronie's disease; Penile deformities; Penile cancer; Pelvic relaxation; Pelvic floor disorders; Male sexual dysfunction; Erectile dysfunction; Enterocele; Cystocele; Erection physiology ...read more

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Insurance Information

Main Phone

Outside of Maryland & Washington D.C.

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International Patients

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Locations

Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center (now called Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center)

Appointment Phone: 410-955-6100
601 N. Caroline St.
Urology, 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21287
Fax: 410-502-6454
Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center (now called Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center) - Google Maps

Johns Hopkins Medicine - Green Spring Station

Appointment Phone: 410-955-6100
10803 Falls Road
Pavilion III, Suite 3300
Lutherville, MD 21093
Phone: 410-616-7600 | Fax: 410-616-7601
Johns Hopkins Medicine - Green Spring Station - Google Maps

Sibley Medical Building

Appointment Phone: 202-660-5561
5215 Loughboro Road NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20016
Fax: 202-660-7083
Sibley Medical Building - Google Maps

Background

Dr. Arthur Burnett is a professor of urology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He is the Patrick C. Walsh Professor of Urology. Dr. Burnett is the director of the Male Consultation Clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a clinician-scientist at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, and director of the Basic Science Laboratory in Neurourology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Dr. Burnett received his undergraduate degree in biology from Princeton University and his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in surgery, and subsequently residency and fellowship in urology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Upon completion of his urology residency, he received an American Foundation of Urologic Disease New Investigator Award to continue research work into the regulatory mechanisms of penile erection. He has maintained an active laboratory in neurourology since that time.

Dr. Burnett is an established expert in the areas of prostate cancer, lower genitourinary tract malignancies (penile, scrotal, and urethral cancers), lower genitourinary tract reconstruction (pelvic trauma and urethral stricture disease), erectile dysfunction and penile abnormalities (including Peyronies disease), and female urology (including urinary incontinence, urethral abnormalities, and prolapsed pelvic structures).

He is an expert prostate cancer surgeon, having performed over 3,000 radical prostatectomies where he has proven his skill at applying a single, minimally invasive 3-inch incision just above the pubic bone to facilitate rapid recovery and cosmesis and using a nerve-sparing technique. He has also developed management approaches to improve postoperative functional outcomes following radical prostatectomy.

Dr. Burnett is recognized for being a world-authority in the science and medicine of erectile dysfunction. He contributed original discoveries of the nitric oxide biochemical mechanisms in erectile tissue, which paved the way for the clinical development of oral medications to treat erectile dysfunction such as Viagra. He has also pioneered work to develop therapies to protect penile nerve function required for improved erectile function recovery after radical prostatectomy.

Dr. Burnett has written more than 500 original peer-reviewed articles, along with numerous additional articles, editorials, and book chapters, and three books relating to his biomedical research and clinical activities. His work has appeared in many prominent journals such as Science, Nature Medicine, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Urology, Urology, and Journal of Andrology. He has sat on various advisory committees including the Urology Study Section, National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review and FDA Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs.

He also founded and directs a non-profit humanitarian organization called UroMissionsWorks Incorporated. He is an alumni member of the Alpha Omega Honor Medical Society and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Among various awards, Dr. Burnett received the Urology Care Foundation Distinguished Mentor Award in 2016, the Distinguished Contribution Award from the American Urological Association in 2018, the Ferdinand C. Valentine Medal from The New York Academy of Medicine in 2020, and the Hugh Hampton Young Award from the American Urological Association in 2022.

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Titles

  • Director, Basic Science Laboratory in Neuro-Urology
  • Patrick C. Walsh Professor of Urology
  • Director, Sexual Medicine Fellowship Program
  • Professor of Urology
  • Professor of Oncology

Departments / Divisions

Centers & Institutes

Education

Degrees

  • MD; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1988)

Residencies

  • Urology; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1993)

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Urology (Urology) (1988)

Research & Publications

Research Summary

Dr. Burnett has led the basic science laboratory in neurourology for the last 30 years. Principal research studies have focused on the neurophysiology of the pelvis along with molecular mechanisms largely specific to nerve regulation of erectile and voiding functions.

Original discoveries in the laboratory include the description of nitric oxide as the principal neurotransmitter regulating penile erection. This discovery contributed to an understanding of the science of penile erection in the early 1990s from which drugs such as Viagra, Levita and Cialis were developed. The laboratory has continued major studies in the areas of nitric oxide biology in the pelvis as they relate to other erection disorders such as priapism, a condition of prolonged penile erection.

The laboratory has focused on improving outcomes with radical prostatectomy, particularly as these relate to the recovery of urinary and erectile functions. Primary efforts have gone toward the investigation and development of chemical compounds for application in men undergoing radical prostatectomy in hopes that erectile function will be better preserved. Collaboration with neuroscientists at this institution have established a role for neuroimmunophilins, special proteins localized to nerves which appear to be the receptor molecules for specialized drugs that can be taken to thereby protect the nerves from significant damage. Experimental models in rats with nerve injury leading to erectile dysfunction similar to that occurring in men after radical prostatectomy have been used demonstrating the major potential for drugs based on this pathway to be developed and used in the near future.

Ongoing projects involve the study of novel approaches, using stem cells implantable stimulators that may serve the purpose of recovering penile nerve function in men undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Lab

The basic science laboratory in neurourology, headed by Arthur L. Burnett, M.D., is one of the independent research laboratories within the Brady Urological Institute.

The laboratory focuses on biological mechanisms of the pelvis as these relate to erectile and voiding dysfunctions primarily. The direction of research aims to understand the neurophysiology as well as vascular physiology of the lower genitourinary tract, with an emphasis on the translational aspect of basic science discoveries relevant to the human condition. Overall, the laboratory is geared toward improving and preserving erectile and voiding dysfunctions that occur as a result of pelvic disorders and consequences from treatment of these disorders.

Lab Website: Neuro-Urology Laboratory

Clinical Trial Keywords

Erectile Dysfunction

Clinical Trials

Improving Quality of Life of Prostate Cancer Survivors with Androgen Deficiency; 2021-24; NIH-NIA; co-PI:S Bhasin (Brigham and Women’s Hospital, MA); AL Burnett


Patient – Reported Erectile Recovery and Quality of Life Outcomes with Lyopreserved Placental Tissue Applied Directly over Neurovascular Bundle during Nerve-Sparing, Radical Prostatectomy Versus Standard of Care; 2021; Johns Hopkins Univ; PI: AL Burnett


Long-Term Prospective Registry to Evaluate Treatment Decisions and Clinical Outcomes in Prostate Cancer Patients from Diverse Urology Practice Settings following Prolaris Testing; 2021; Myriad Genetics Inc; PI: AL Burnett


A Multi-Centre, Randomized, Open-Label, Home Use, Parallel Group, Clinical Investigation of Topically-Applied MED3000 Gel and Oral Tadalafil (5 mg) Tablets for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) over a 24-week Period; 2020-22; Futura Medical; Coordinating PI: AL Burnett 


 

Selected Publications

View all on PubMed

Salonia, A., Burnett, A.L., Graefen, M., Hatzimouratidis, K., Montorsi, F., Mulhall, J.P., Stief, C.: ”Prevention and Management of Postprostatectomy Sexual Dysfunctions.  Part 1: Choosing the Right Patient at the Right Time for the Right Surgery.” Eur Urol. 62 (2012) 261-72.

Burnett A.L.: “Penile Preserving and Reconstructive Surgery in the Management of Penile Cancer.”                      Nat Rev Urol. 13(5) (2016), 216-25

Burnett, A.L., Nehra, A., Breau, R.H., Culkin, D.J., Faraday, M.M., Hakim, L.S., Heidelbaugh, J., Khera, M., McVary, K.T., Miner, M.M., Nelson, C.J., Sadeghi-Nejad, H., Seftel, A.D., Shindel, A.W.: “Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline.” J Urol. 200(3) (2018), 633-41.

.Redett, R.J. 3rd, Etra, J.W., Brandacher, G., Burnett, A.L., Tuffaha, S.H., Sacks, J.M., Shores, J.T., Bivalacqua, T.J., Bonawitz, S., Cooney, C.M., Coon, D., Pustavoitau, A., Rizkalla, N.A., Jackson, A.M., Javia, V., Fidder, S.A.J., Davis-Sproul, J., Brennan, D.C., Sander, I.B., Shoham, S., Sopko, N.A., Lee. W.P.A., Cooney, D.S.: “Total Penis, Scrotum, and Lower Abdominal Wall Transplantation.” N Engl J Med. 381(19) (2019), 1876-78.

Burnett, A.L., Edwards, N.C., Barrett, T.M., Nitschelm, K.D., Bhattacharyya, S.K.: “Addressing Health-Care System Inequities in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction: A Call to Action.” Am J Mens Health. 14(5) (2020), 1557988320965078

Patents

Treatments for Male Sexual Dysfunction
Patent # 5,439,938 | 

Methods and devices are taught for regulating penile erection and urethral function. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and precursors of nitric oxide are applied to relax or contract the muscles of the corpus cavernosum and the urethra.

Method for Treating Nerve Injury Caused as a Result of Surgery
Patent # 10/156/735 | 

Methods for treating nerve injury caused as a consequence of surgery, and specifically as a consequence of prostate surgery, or for methods of neuroprotection of penile innervation, by administering a neurotrophic compound to a patient in need thereof

Prevention and Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Patent # Pending (JHU Ref. 4446) | 

Activities & Honors

Honors

  • Distinguished Mentor Award, Urology Care Foundation, American Urological Association
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Community Service, Johns Hopkins University
  • Faculty Teaching Award, Department of Urology, 2010
  • Edward J. Stegman CPA Memorial Award (4.0 GPA), Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, 2009
  • Alumni Member, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, 2009
  • Certificate of Appreciation, American Society of Andrology, 2008
  • First Place Award for Excellence, 27th Annual Jackson Hole Urology Conference, 2007
  • Zorgniotti-Newman Prize, for Best Paper on Clinical Research in Sexual Medicine, 12th World Congress of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, 2006
  • Jean Francois Ginesti; Prize, for Best Paper on Basic Science on Sexual Medicine (co-author), 11th World Congress of the International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research, 2004
  • Emil Tanagho Prize, for Best Innovative Research (co-author), 10th World Congress of the International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research, 2002
  • Yamanouchi Best Abstract Prize in Impotence, American Urological Association, 2001
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons, 1999
  • Pfizer Scholar in Urology Award, Pfizer, Inc., 1999
  • Yamanouchi Best Abstract Prize in Impotence, American Urological Association, 1998
  • Merck Clinician Scientist Award, Merck & Co., 1996
  • First Place, Lapides Annual Essay Contest on Urodynamic and Neurourology Research, American Urological Association, 1996
  • Searle New Investigator Research Award, American Foundation for Urologic Disease, Inc., 1994
  • Male Reproduction/Urology Prize Paper, American Fertility Society, 1993
  • Second Place, Lapides Annual Essay Contest on Urodynamic and Neurourology Research, American Urological Association, 1993
  • First Place, Laboratory Research, Annual Resident Prize Essay Contest, American Urological Association, 1993
  • First Place, Basic Science, Resident Essay Competition, Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association, 1992
  • Student Merit Award, American Society of Andrology, 1992
  • Young Investigator Award for Post-Doctoral Investigation, Clinical Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1992
  • Summer Research Fellowship Program, Clinical Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, 1985
  • Charles M. Cannon Memorial Prize, Biology Department Thesis Symposium, Princeton University, 1984
  • Distinguished Military Graduate, Princeton University, R.O.T.C. Unit, 1984
  • Order of Merit List, R.O.T.C. Advanced Camp, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1983
  • Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, 1976
  • Best Paper in Basic Science 2022; The Journal of Sexual Medicine, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2022 - 2023
  • 2021 Distinguished Scholar Alumnus Award; Urology Care Foundation
  • Honorary Member, 2021; American Urological Association
  • Ferdinand C. Valentine Medalist, 2020; The Section on Urology of The New York Academy of Medicine
  • 2019 Honoree; Caribbean Urological Association
  • Top Doctor of the Decade, 2019; International Association of Top Professionals
  • Andrology Journal Award, 2018 Best Article Published in Andrology, 2019; American Society of Andrology
  • Birdland Community Hero Award, 2018; Baltimore Orioles
  • Distinguished Contribution Award, 2018; American Urological Association
  • Top Professional of the Year Award, 2018; International Association of Top Professionals
  • Diplomate, American Board of Urology

Memberships

  • American Medical Association, 1988
  • American Society for Peripheral Nerve, 2003
  • American Society of Andrology, 1994
  • American Urogynecologic Society, 1998
  • American Urological Association, 1990
  • International Society for Impotence Research, 1996
  • International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, 2000
  • Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland, 1985
  • Monumental City Medical Society, 1994
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1984
    Baltimore Branch
  • National Medical Association, 1994
  • Reserve Officers’ Association of the United States, 1984
  • Sexual Medicine Society of North America, 1994
  • Sigma XI Scientific Research Society, 1984
  • Society of Government Service Urologists, 1991
  • Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons, 2006
  • The American College of Surgeons, 1999
  • The Society of Black Academic Surgeons, 1997
  • The Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, 1998
  • The Society of University Urologists, 2006
  • Urodynamics Society, 1997
  • International Society for Sexual Medicine
  • Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology
  • The Society for Pelvic Research; 2016-Present, Member
  • American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons; 2015-Present; Member
  • Society of Basic Urologic Research; 2010-Present; Member; 2015-2016; Nominations Committee
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society; 2009-Present, Alumni Member; 2018-Present, Steering Committee, Johns Hopkins University
  • The Society of University Urologists; 2006-Present; Member; 2014-2016, Board of Directors
  • Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons; 2006-2018; Member, 2006 - 2018
  • American Society for Peripheral Nerve; 2003-2004; Member, 2003 - 2004
  • International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health; 2000-Present; Member
  • American College of Surgeons; 1999-Present; Member
  • The Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons; 1998-Present; Member
  • American Urogynecologic Society; 1998-2000; Member
  • Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction; 1997-Present; Member
  • The Society of Black Academic Surgeons; 1997-Present; Member
  • International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research/Sexual Medicine; 1996-Present, Member; 2010-2013, Board of Directors; 2018-Present, Treasurer
  • Monumental City Medical Society; 1994-Present; Member
  • National Medical Association; 1994-Present; Member
  • Sexual Medicine Society of North America; 1994-Present, Member; 2005-2007, Board of Directors; 2007-2010, Treasurer; 2011-2012, President-Elect; 2013-2014, President; 2015-2016, Past-President; 2017-2022, Chairman, Fellowship Committee
  • American Society of Andrology; 1994-Present, Member; 2004-2007, Council Member; 2004-2009, Diversity Committee, Chairman; 2007, 2008, 2009, Industry Symposium Chairman; 2014-2016; 2016 ASA Program Committee, Co-Chairman
  • Society of Government Service Urologists; 1991-2000; Member
  • American Urological Association; 1990-Present

    ; Member; 2008-Present, Abstract Review Committee; 2011, Abstract Review Committee Chairperson (Sexual Medicine); 2013-2021, Research Council; 2015-2021, Research Advocacy Committee Member; 2015-2020, Urology Care Foundation Public Education Council, Reproductive & Sexual Health Committee; 2018-24, Leadership Program Mentor; 2018, Public Policy and Advocacy Board Member; 2020, Urology Care Foundation Board of Directors Member; 2020, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Member; 2020, Research Office, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Member; 2022-24, Exhibit Curator

  • Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association; 1990-Present, Member; 2003, Nominations Committee; 2002, Local Arrangements Chairperson; 2004-2007, Board of Directors; 2007, Membership Committee; 2010, Program Committee Chairperson; 2014, President-Elect; 2015, President; 2016, Past-President
  • American Medical Association; 1988-Present; Member
  • Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland; 1985-Present; Member
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Baltimore Branch; 1984-Present; Member
  • Reserve Officers’ Association of the United States; 1984-Present; Member
  • Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society; 1984-Present; Member

Professional Activities

  • 2003 Program Committee, American Society of Andrology, 2001
  • Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs, FDA, 2003
  • Board of Directors, Sexual Medicine Society of North America, 2005
  • Board of Directors, Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association, 2004 - 2007
  • Comprehensive Diabetes Center's Advisory Board, Johns Hopkins, 1997
  • Comprehensive Women's Health Center Oversight Committee, Johns Hopkins, 1997
  • Examination Committee, American Board of Urology, 2001
  • Executive Council, American Society of Andrology, 2004
  • External Examiner, Jamaican Board of Urology Examination Committee (West Indies University), 2006
  • Medical Advisory Board, National Kidney Foundation of Maryland, 1997
  • Men's Health Advisory Board, Johns Hopkins, 1998
  • Postgraduate Course Chairman, American Society of Andrology, 2003
  • Prostate Cancer Guideline Update Panel, American Urological Association, 2006
  • Prostate Cancer Outcomes Working Group, American Urological Association, 2004 - 2006
  • Research Council Strategic Workgroup, AUA, 2007
  • Urology Study Section, NIH Center for Scientific Review, 2001 - 2005
  • Website Committee, Society for the Study of Impotence, 2000
  • Workshop on Advancing Urologic Science and Career Development, NIDDK, 2007
  • Male Circumcision Task Force, American Urological Association , 2008
  • Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association, 2001 - 2002
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons
  • Membership Committee, Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association, 2007
  • Nominating Committee, Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association, Inc., 1999 - 2000
  • Member, America (UDA) Contract Management Board; 2021-22, Member
  • Member, Sickle Cell Disease Genitourinary Working Group, Consensus Measures for Phenotypes and Exposures (Phen X), The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Blood Epidemiology and Clinical Therapeutics Branch; 2021-22, Member
  • Member, American Urological Association, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force; 2020-22, Member
  • Member, PhD Thesis Examination Committee, Doctoral Student: Mikael Nils Sturny, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne;2020, Member
  • Member, External Advisory Board, Howard University Hospital, Division of Urology; 2019-2020; Member
  • Member, American Society of Andrology Journal Committee; 2019-Present, Member
  • Member, Consortium for Diversity of Urologic Conditions (ConDUC), Executive Committee Member; 2019-Present
  • Member, International Continence Society Terminology for Sexual Health in Men with Lower Urinary Tract and Pelvic Dysfunction Working Group, Member; 2018-Present
  • Member, Urology Times Editorial Council, Sexual Dysfunction Consultant; 2015- Present
  • Member, AUA Update Series Advisory Committee; 2013-2018, Member
  • Representative, AUA Research Council, Mid-Atlantic Section; 2013-2018, Representative
  • Member, Male Topic Area Work Group, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/NIH and Health Resources Services Administration Hemoglobinopathies Uniform Medical Language Ontology Project; 2013-2014, Member
  • Member, FDA Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee; 2012, Member
  • Co-Chairperson, Practice Guidelines Sexual Dysfunction Panel, American Urological Association, 2012-2018, Co-Chairperson
  • Grant Review Coommitte, American Urological Association Foundation Research Scholar Reviews, Research Grant Review Committee, 2011, 2012
  • Member, American Urological Association Male Circumcision Task Force; 2008- 2010, Member
  • Member, AUA Research Council Strategic Workgroup; 2007, Member
  • Member, NIDDK Workshop on Advancing Urologic Science and Career Development; 2007, Member
  • Member, American Society of Andrology Examination Committee; 2006-2008, Member
  • Chairman, American Society of Andrology Ad Hoc Industry Symposium Committee; 2006-2009, Chairman
  • Member, American Urological Association Prostate Cancer Guideline Update Panel; 2009, Member
  • Chairman, American Society of Andrology Diversity Committee; 2004 - 2009, Chairman
  • External Examiner, External Examiner, Jamaican Board of Urology Examination Committee (West Indies University); 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012
  • Member, Board of Directors, Sexual Medicine Society of North America; 2005-2007, Member
  • Member, American Urological Association Prostate Cancer Outcomes Working Group; 2004-2006, Member
  • Member, American Society of Andrology Executive Council; 2004-2007; Member
  • Member, FDA Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs; 2003-2007, Member
  • Chairman, American Society of Andrology 2003 Program Committee; 2001-Present; 2003 Postgraduate Course Chairman
  • Member, American Board of Urology Examination Committee; 2001-2005; Member
  • Member/Chairman, Urologic and Kidney Development and Genitourinary Diseases Study Section, NIH Center for Scientific Review; 2001-2002, Member; 2004-2007, Member/Chairperson
  • Member, Society for the Study of Impotence, Website Committee; 2000-2003; Member
  • Member, Johns Hopkins Men’s Health Advisory Board; 1998-2000; Member
  • Member, National Kidney Foundation of Maryland Medical Advisory Board; 1997-2000; Member
  • Member, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Women's Health Center Oversight Committee; 1997-1998; Member
  • Member, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Diabetes Center's Advisory Board; 1997-1998; Member

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