photo by: LMH Health

LMH Health, 325 Maine St., is pictured in May 2021.

For many people, talking about urologic concerns can be difficult or embarrassing. The team at LMH Health Lawrence Urology Specialists gets that.

“It takes a fair amount of courage to come into the urology office. We deal with some of the most personal and intimate problems that people have,” said Dr. Jon Heeb. “But you need to know that these are common problems, and they’re nothing to be ashamed of.”

The team at Lawrence Urology Specialists evaluates and treats urologic concerns in patients across their entire lifespan, from birth through every stage of life.

WHAT DO UROLOGISTS DO?

Urology is a medical specialty that diagnoses and treats problems of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. The providers at Lawrence Urology Specialists treat conditions including:

• Bladder disease and dysfunction, including prolapse, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence and recurrent urinary tract infections

• Erectile dysfunction

• Kidney stones

• Pelvic pain

• Prostate enlargement and cancer

• Testicular cancer

• Urinary tract cancer, including bladder and kidney cancer

The pelvic floor is an area that nurse practitioner Kathy Ramirez focuses on, but it’s one that you might not associate with urology. She works alongside a pelvic floor therapist to provide comprehensive care for women facing issues.

“Many women have urinary incontinence or have pelvic organ prolapse, which is a condition caused by weakened pelvic muscles that can lead to a shift in the vagina, uterus, bladder or rectum. Sometimes they have both issues,” she said. “It is much more common than women realize and doesn’t always require a surgery for successful treatment.”

Pelvic floor therapy is also an important service for men, but it’s one that LMH Health hasn’t previously offered. In February 2026, LMH expanded access to support treatments addressing symptoms such as scrotal, testicular and penile pain, as well as urinary frequency and urgency.

“Therapy is something that we can recommend both before and after prolapse or prostate surgery,” Dr. Heeb said. “It helps patients prepare for these procedures and reduce the risk that they’ll recur.”

PROVIDING RELIEF

While your urology concern might be treated without surgery, sometimes surgery is the best option. The good news is that the team performs minimally invasive robotic surgery for a number of conditions, including kidney tumors and obstructions, and pelvic organ prolapse.

“All of our surgeons perform minimally-invasive procedures using the da Vinci Surgical System,” Dr. Heeb explained. “Minimally-invasive options provide clear advantages, including smaller incisions, less bleeding, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays. Patients sometimes go home the same day.”

With the arrival of Dr. Ryan Didde in 2025, Lawrence Urology Specialists continues to expand its capabilities. Dr. Didde performs robotic prostatectomy, a surgical option that wasn’t previously available in Lawrence.

COLLABORATION AND COMBINED KNOWLEDGE

You may only interact with one provider, but your care is a team effort. APRN Kait O’Day and Dr. Douglas Klingler join Ramirez, Dr. Heeb and Dr. Didde to collaborate and provide patients the best care possible. Dr. Heeb and Ramirez have worked together for more than 25 years, and Dr. Klingler joined the team nearly two decades ago. Their familiarity contributes to an environment where patients feel seen and understood.

“We get to know our patients, understand their problems, and provide evidence-based care,” Dr. Didde said. “You don’t have to go out of town to get great urology care. It’s right here in your own backyard.”

Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World health section.