Helen Y. Hougen

University of Virginia, Oregon Health & Science University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Dr. Helen Y. Hougen is a pioneering urologic surgeon and researcher whose work bridges surgical simulation, gender-affirming surgery, and clinical outcomes. Her research centers on two transformative areas: validating robotic surgical training tools and advancing transgender surgical care. In her landmark 2017 study, "Does Robotic Surgical Simulator Performance Correlate With Surgical Skill?" (31 citations), Dr. Hougen provided critical evidence linking simulator metrics to actual operative competence, shaping how residency programs assess robotic proficiency. More recently, her 2020 paper, "Gender-affirming Vaginectomy–Transperineal Approach" (13 citations), introduced a refined surgical technique that improves outcomes for transgender patients undergoing gender-affirming procedures. This work reflects her commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered innovation in a rapidly evolving field. With her dual focus on surgical education and inclusive care, Dr. Hougen’s contributions are not only advancing urologic practice but also setting new standards for training the next generation of surgeons. Her research continues to influence how we measure skill and how we deliver compassionate, technically excellent care to diverse patient populations.