Dr. Jim C. Hu is an internationally recognized leader in robotic radical prostatectomy and prostate cancer surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, known for pioneering surgical innovations that preserve sexual and urinary function without compromising cancer control. He is the Ronald P. Lynch Professor of Urologic Oncology, Director of the LeFrak Center for Robotic Surgery, and Vice Chair of Clinical Research.

Dr. Hu developed PATENTS (Posterior Approach to Endopelvic Neurovascular Total Sparing), a nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy technique resulting in more than twofold faster recovery of erectile function — a finding discussed in a 2026 Nature Reviews Urology Comment on the anatomical basis for improved outcomes. He has performed more than 4,000 robotic, laparoscopic, and open urologic procedures since completing robotic surgery fellowship training in 2004, and specializes in robotic radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, focal therapy, and transperineal prostate biopsy, with his surgical innovation directed at one goal: durable cancer control while preserving the functional outcomes that matter most to patients.

He was the first urologist in New York City to perform in-office transperineal prostate biopsy, in-office focal therapy, and outpatient prostate and kidney cancer surgery. His clinical approach centers on individualized treatment selection, helping patients — including those with complex or high-risk disease — understand the full range of options: active surveillance, focal therapy, surgery, and radiation. He consistently receives exceptional patient satisfaction ratings across major healthcare review platforms.

Dr. Hu trained at Johns Hopkins University (BA Economics, MPH Health Policy), Baylor College of Medicine (MD), and completed urology residency at UCLA and fellowship training in robotic surgery and urologic oncology at City of Hope. He served as Head of the Prostate Cancer Program at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and directed robotic and minimally invasive surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, before being recruited to UCLA as the Henry Singleton Chair in Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery, where he also co-led the Kidney Donation Program. He joined Weill Cornell Medicine in 2015.

As a researcher, Dr. Hu leads PREVENT, the largest randomized trial comparing transperineal to transrectal prostate biopsy, published in JAMA Oncology, and PARTIAL, an NCI R01-funded randomized trial of pelvic fascia-sparing radical prostatectomy across six institutions — extending the same functional-preservation focus behind PATENTS into prospective multicenter study. His earlier findings contributed to revisions in national PSA screening guidelines: he demonstrated significant contamination in the control arm of the PLCO screening trial in The New England Journal of Medicine and was first to show a significant increase in prostate cancer metastases following reduced PSA screening utilization in JAMA Oncology.

His research has been supported by the National Cancer Institute, PCORI, Department of Defense, Prostate Cancer Foundation, and Prevent Cancer Foundation, with career funding exceeding $12 million as principal investigator. He has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications in The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, JAMA Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, JNCI, European Urology, and The Journal of Urology, and his work has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.

Dr. Hu received the European Urology Impact Award (2025) and the Weill Cornell Medicine Excellence in Resident Teaching Award (2026). He has been named a Best Doctor by U.S. News & World Report and a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly. He has mentored more than 50 residents, fellows, and faculty, many of whom now hold leadership positions at institutions including Georgetown, Case Western, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, and UCLA.

Testimonials:

"Dr Hu performed a radical prostatectomy on me after a diagnosis of cancer. In consultations with me prior to surgery, he was warm and kind, and extremely informative. He showed great patience, answered all of my questions, met with my wife, and left me feeling that I had made a fully-informed decision. And then the real skills shine through - Dr. Hu's surgical abilities left me with truly minimal side effects. I was walking within hours after surgery and my overall recovery has been swift." - Michael L.

"Dr. Hu performed a robotic radical prostatectomy. Long and short term outcomes were better than I anticipated. Only missed 7 days of work. He is a highly competent surgeon, a great doctor and a truly nice person. I highly recommend Dr. Hu." - John M.

“Dr. Hu listened when others wrote my symptoms as benign . He resolved all my issues and I am thankful for his skills.” - Francis M. via. Google

"Dr. Hu was the most considerate, compassionate and on top of things during my robotic surgery (pre and post op), He took the time to share details and explained everything to me and my husband thoroughly." - Timothy B. via Google 

"The Weill Cornell experience was top shelf from start to finish and Dr. Hu is a rock star robotic surgeon who knows how to communicate with his patients." - Richard F. via Google

"He patiently answered all our questions, and made himself available via phone and email in a very responsive manner. The surgery went as I expected, and the results have been outstanding. My recovery was easier than I expected and I have experienced none of the possible negative side-effects of this surgery. I did not have any incontinence at all and other expected issues have resolved themselves. I can't recommend Dr. Hu and his staff more highly. I attribute my successful outcome to early detection (get your checkups!) and Dr. Hu's skill and expertise." - John V. via Google

" A master and true professional. Dr. Hu and his team are a miracle to me. Honest, caring, to the point, professional, comforting...; and the result says all. Still in the middle of recovery, but so far, all beyond expectations. I have been in the best hands. Very thankful." - Self-verified patient on April 16, 2019 via Vitals

"Dr. Hu and his team are exceptional healthcare providers. I felt 100% confident that I was receiving the best care possible, from diagnosis, healthcare options, to pre and post surgery care, Dr. Hu and his team were amazing!" - Self-verified patient on August 20, 2018 via Vitals 

"Dr. Hu was the surgeon for my prostate cancer. I couldn’t be happier with my results. Way ahead of schedule in my recovery." - Terence G. via Healthgrades on May 14, 2018

His work and expertise has been sought by national news outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Mens Health and others. 

You may read more about Dr. Hu's work in the following news links:

• Experts urge medical societies to reconsider prostate cancer screening guidelines
• Overuse of Prostate Cancer Scans May Be Easing (Renal & Urology News)
• The federal panel that opposed prostate cancer screening just changed its mind (Washington Post)
• Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer? 4 Big Mistakes Men Are Making
• Active surveillance, physician–patient communication may redefine role of PSA testing (Healio)
• ASCO GU 2017: Best of Journals Prostate Cancer: Urology View - Session Highlights
• Incidence of Metastatic Prostate Cancer in Older Men Increases Following Drop in PSA Screening
• Increase in Prostate Cancer Distant Metastases at Diagnosis in the United States (JAMA Oncology)
• More Advanced Prostate Cancer Seen in Older US Men (MedScape)
• Making Decisions About New Cancer Treatments With Limited Evidence (Journal of Clinical Pathways)
• Infections After Prostate Biopsy Continue to Rise
• Prostate Surgery Rates Fall After Screening Advice, Study Finds (NBC News)
• For Partial Nephrectomy Outcomes, Robot Bests Laparoscopy (Medscape)
• National Prostate Biopsy and Radical Prostatectomy Volumes Decreased Significantly Following Recommendation against PSA Screening
• Results Unproven, Robotic Surgery Wins Converts (New York Times)
• Surgical Robot Fails to Show Advantages in Treating Bladder Cancer (Wall Street Journal)
• Prostate Cancer: No Survival Hit With Surveillance (MedPage Today)
• Robot Surgery is Here to Stay (The Bulletin)
• Almost all men with early prostate cancer survive 10 years, regardless of treatment (Washington Post)
• Robotic Surgery Expert Joins NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College
• Find An Experienced, Gentle Surgeon (Science Daily)
• Do Robots Drive Up Prostate Surgeries? (Fox News)
• Robotic Surgeons Take Over at a Hospital Near You (Popular Mechanics)

Patient Testimonial Videos:

• Prostate Cancer? Sal's Suggestions
• Post-Prostatectomy Recovery: Robotic Surgery
• LeFrak Center for Robotic Surgery: Henry's Story - Prostate Cancer Experience

Patient Education Videos:

• Active Surveillance and MRI Targeted Biopsies (Prostate Cancer)
• Salvage Treatments Following Failed Radiation (Prostate Cancer)

Dr. Hu offers the HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) Procedure. Learn More Here.

If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Hu, please call his office at (646) 962-6363. Dr. Hu's office is located in the LeFrak Center for Robotic Surgery at 525 E. 68th Street, 9th Floor, Starr 946.