Education: Pediatric Urology Fellowship: Our Faculty

Our Faculty

Our team is internationally recognized for work in the areas of:

  • Robotic pediatric urologic surgery 
  • Sacral neuromodulation for children with refractory voiding dysfunction
  • Surgical management of complex congenital urologic problems
  • Comprehensive management of pediatric voiding dysfunction
  • Extensive expertise caring for children with Spina Bifida 

Fellowship Director

  • Abby Taylor, MD, MPH, FAAP

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Fellowship Director
    Pediatric Urology Fellowship
    Assistant Residency Program Director
    Department of Urology
    Director of Medical Student Education
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: Northeastern Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio
    Residency: Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Jacksonville, FL
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Pediatric Urology Fellowship, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Genitourinary Reconstruction

    Dr. Taylor is heavily involved in medical education and quality improvement. She is the program director for the pediatric urology fellowship program, assistant program director of the urology residency program, and director of medical student education in urology. Outside of work, Dr. Taylor enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, two children, and animals.

  • Cyrus Adams, MD, MS

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: University of Tennessee, Memphis
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Fellowship: Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Reconstructive Surgery, Neurogenic bladder, Antenatal Hydronephrosis, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery

    Dr. Adams is a Pediatric Urologist with clinical interests in the management of antenatal and postnatal hydronephrosis and neuropathic bladder, reconstructive genitourinary surgery, and minimally invasive robotic surgery.  His research interests include the long-term clinical outcomes of genitourinary reconstruction, as well as in the management and care of patients with spina bifida.

  • Mark C. Adams, MD

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
    Residency: University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN
    Fellowship: The Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
    Clinical Interests: Reconstructive Surgery, Spina Bifida, Bladder Exstrophy, Antenatal Hydronephrosis

  • John W. Brock III, MD

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Professor and Surgeon-in Chief, Emeritus
    Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
    Senior Vice President
    Pediatric Surgical Services
    Chair
    Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical Degree: Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Reconstructive Surgery, Antenatal Hydronephrosis, Bladder Exstrophy

  • Douglass Clayton, MD

    Associate Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Memphis, TN
    Residency: University of Alabama - Birmingham, School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Pediatric Urology Fellowship, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Neurogenic Bladder, Pediatric Urology, Urinary Incontinence, Urodynamics, Laparoscopy and Robotics

    Dr. Clayton is the Medical Director of the Multidisciplinary Spina Bifida clinic at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Thus, he is dedicated to the urologic care of children with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder. He practices in all areas of pediatric urology, but he has additional expertise in robotic surgery and complex urinary tract reconstruction. Dr. Clayton is also an accomplished researcher with a history of grant funding in basic science research studying bladder dysfunction.

  • Brendan Frainey, MD

    Assistant Professor, Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Dr. Frainey is a pediatric urologist with clinical interests in the management neuropathic bladder, reconstructive genitourinary surgery, and minimally invasive robotic surgery. Dr. Frainey is the Director of Transitional Urology at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and started an Adult Spina Bifida Clinic at Vanderbilt University Hospital in October 2025. Thus, he is dedicated to the urologic care of children and young adults with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder. Dr. Frainey's research interests include evaluating the role of the urinary and intestinal microbiomes in UTI pathogenesis in individuals with spina bifida as well as the long term outcomes of the surgical management of neurogenic bladder. He has received internal grant funding through Vanerbilt's Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR).

    Medical School: Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
    Residency: Cleveland Clinic Urology Residency, Cleveland, OH
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Pediatric Urology Fellowship, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Neurogenic Bladder, Urodynamics, Genitourinary tract reconstruction, Laparoscopy and Robotics, Congenitalism

  • Lauren Corona, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical School: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
    Residency: University of Michigan
    Fellowship: Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Laparoscopy and Robotics, Kidney Stones, Antenatal Hydronephrosis, Hypospadias

    Dr. Corona is a fellowship trained pediatric urologist with interests in congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and ureters, antenatal and postnatal hydronephrosis, UPJ obstruction, vesicoureteral reflux, megaureter, hypospadias and other penile anomalies, undescended testes, hernia and hydrocele, minimally invasive surgery, and differences of sex development. Dr. Corona's research interests include health services and outcomes research. Outside of work, Dr. Corona enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

  • John C. Pope IV, MD, MMHC, FAAP, FACS

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Chief
    Division of Pediatric Urology
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    Medical Degree: University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis TN
    Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
    Fellowship: James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN
    Clinical Interests: Pediatric Urology, Reconstructive Surgery, Spina Bifida, Pediatric Stone Disease, Laparoscopic Surgery

    Dr. Pope is the Division Chief of Pediatric Urology and serves as Associate Surgeon-in-Chief and Surgical Director of Perioperative Operations. As a nationally recognized leader in pediatric urology, Dr. Pope has held prominent roles including President of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Urology, Executive Committee Member of the Society of Pediatric Urology, and Oral Board Examiner for the American Board of Urology. He has served on editorial boards for leading journals and contributed to national curricula and guidelines. Dr. Pope’s clinical expertise includes complex congenital anomalies, neurogenic bladder, and reconstructive surgery. He has mentored over 20 pediatric urology fellows and numerous residents, many of whom now lead academic programs across the U.S. His research has been supported by NIH and other national organizations, with a focus on bladder fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and spina bifida outcomes.

  • John Thomas, MD

    Professor
    Department of Urology
    Chief of Staff
    Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
    Division of Pediatric Urology

    M.D. Degree: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
    Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Fellowship: Vanderbilt Pediatric Urology Fellowship, Nashville, TN
    Clinical Interests: Reconstructive Urology, Spina Bifida, Pediatric Stone Disease, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery

    Dr. Thomas is the Chief of Staff at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and serves in leadership roles in numerous state-wide and national organizations focused on pediatric urology.