Meet Urologist Ron Golan, MD

What drives someone to spend a life in medicine? In this new Q&A series, a group of leading local physicians share the moments that set them on their path, the breakthroughs shaping their fields, and the realities behind the work. Their answers are candid, occasionally surprising, and grounded in experience. Together, they offer a clear-eyed look at the people delivering care in our community and what continues to motivate them every day.

Meet Urologist Ron Golan, MD

Q. What drew you to your particular specialty?

A. Everyone wants to know how and why someone chooses Urology, right? In my case, it was unexpected – and I’m grateful it happened the way it did. At UPenn, surgical subspecialties were assigned by lottery. I had wanted to do trauma surgery, but I was matched in Urology instead. I still remember the feeling of amazement that first morning, watching a kidney stone being blasted with a laser and then seeing a kidney operation performed using the Da Vinci robot, and that enthusiasm has stayed with me ever since.

What ultimately kept me in Urology was my interest in the broad range of conditions we treat and the ability to tailor the right tools and interventions to help patients. Each patient and each surgery presents unique considerations, which keeps every day challenging and rewarding. The combination of complexity, problem-solving, and meaningful patient impact continues to motivate me every day.

What’s one misconception people often have about your field?

Many people assume that certain urinary or sexual symptoms are just an unavoidable part of aging. They may think it’s normal to wake up many times a night, or that declining intimacy is something they simply have to accept. In reality, we have a wide range of minimally-invasive treatment options that can dramatically improve quality of life. Helping patients understand their options, and ultimately seeing how much better they can feel, is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

I’ve got an amazing wife and three fun children that I love spending time with. My favorite days involve some combination of outdoor activities, time with family and friends, board or card games, and, whenever possible, some time at the beach. Growing up on the Jersey Shore, I’ve always been a beach guy and love playing beach volleyball or going surfing when I can find time.

What medical advancements, innovations, technologies do you incorporate into your treatment of patients?

I don’t believe in adopting new technology simply because it’s new. I think it’s essential to carefully evaluate how each tool can meaningfully improve patient care, whether through greater accuracy, smaller incisions, faster recovery, or more durable outcomes. During my fellowship in Endourology, I received advanced training in endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, which reinforced the importance of precision and thoughtful technique.

Urology is a constantly evolving field, with new surgical devices, innovative procedures, and medical treatments emerging every year. I genuinely enjoy staying current with these advancements, and my colleagues and I regularly meet to discuss how they may fit into our daily practice. Our Sutter Urology Department and Cottage Health have been very supportive in fostering this ongoing evaluation and integration of new technologies.  

As Sansum Clinic begins a new chapter as part of Sutter Health, we remain united by a shared mission: to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the communities we serve. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare on the Central Coast.

Sponsored by Sutter Health | Visit www.sutterhealth.org