Patrick A. Kenney, MD

Patrick Kenney, MD, is urologic oncologist with a clinical focus on advanced surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma, cancer of the kidney. He utilizes both robotic and open surgery, with a particular interest in organ/function preservation and minimally invasive surgery whenever feasible.

Dr. Kenney performs a variety of procedures, including minimally invasive robotic surgery, robotic partial and radical nephrectomy, and complex surgical procedures such as cytoreductive nephrectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. He has particular expertise in surgery for venous tumor thrombus, called IVC tumor thrombectomy, which Dr. Kenney performs robotically whenever appropriate. He works closely with partners in medical oncology to integrate surgery with systemic therapy to treat locally advanced, metastatic, and treatment-resistant kidney cancer.

Emphasizing the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, Dr. Kenney prioritizes effective communication with patients, their families, and referring physicians. “Cancer diagnosis and treatment are often harrowing and difficult for patients – accessing world-class care close to home shouldn’t be,” he says. “The opportunity to improve a patient’s quality of life and guide them through some of the most challenging moments of their lives is incredibly rewarding.”

Now serving as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at Yale School of Medicine and Chief Ambulatory Physician Executive, Dr. Kenney received his medical degree from Columbia University, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He completed a general surgery internship and urology residency at Lahey Clinic Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in Urologic Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Active in research, Dr. Kenney has authored chapters and reviews about kidney cancer, kidney surgery, and health services and outcomes. He has presented his work at regional, national, and international meetings and holds memberships in the American Urologic Association and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.