MEET OUR TEAM

At Western Michigan Urological Associates, we specialize in treating a wide range of urological needs for men, women and children. Our expert team is pleased to serve you with superior patient care and customer service.

Our physicians are skilled in the treatment of all diseases of the kidney and bladder, male infertility and impotence, male and female incontinence, kidney stones and urological cancers. They also perform a wide variety of urological surgeries including traditional surgery, laparoscopic surgery and the da Vinci® robotic assisted surgery for prostatectomies and other procedures.

• Robert J. Bates, MD, FACS
  

  Robert J. Bates, M.D. is a board-certified urologist with Western Michigan Urological Associates. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School. He is a Holland-native having earned his undergraduate degree at Hope College before attending Yale University for his graduate education. Dr. Bates’ work includes faculty experience at Harvard Medical School and advanced training in pediatric urology. In addition, he had the opportunity to train with renowned urogynecologist Dr. Peter Sand at the University of Chicago.

  Along with other members of the WMURO team, Dr. Bates provides treatment for a wide range of adult and pediatric urological conditions. His special skills and interests include urinary incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic floor pain in females.

  Bates belongs to the American Urological Association, American College of Surgeons, Western Michigan Urological Association and is an active volunteer with the Luke Society. When he is not giving lectures on Urological issues, health care policy or spending time with his wife and three children, he enjoys golfing, attending the opera and bird hunting.

  Dr. Bates’ areas of special expertise, research and experience include:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Urinary incontinence including implantable prostheses
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction and female pelvic pain
  • Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
  • Diplomate American Board of Urology

  When asked about the way he approaches medicine and his specialty, Dr. Bates simply states, "Personal, compassionate, comprehensive, and competent care. We provide total Urological care and can arrange referrals for all adults and pediatric patients."

• John Ludlow, MD
  

  John K. Ludlow, M.D. is a board-certified urologist with Western Michigan Urological Associates. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Southern California and completed his residency through Indiana University. Unique to only a few urology training programs in the country, Dr. Ludlow had the opportunity to develop skills under leading experts in prosthetic urology for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and incontinence. He continues to advance his knowledge and surgical skill with additional training in Urological Oncology and Reconstructive Urology.

  As part of the WMURO team, Dr. Ludlow provides both surgical and nonsurgical treatment for a range of urological conditions. His expertise includes proficiency with minimally invasive robotic procedures and minimally-invasive insertion of penile prostheses. Dr. Ludlow is involved with the American Urological Association (AUA), the Sexual Medicine Society (SMS), the Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons (SUPS) and the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM). He is also active with Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids, a well known cancer support group. When he is not spending time with his wife or three children, or teaching at lectures, he enjoys a game of golf, platform tennis or skiing.

  Dr. Ludlow’s areas of special expertise, research and experience include:

  • Diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction
  • Male urinary incontinence
  • Certified da Vinci® robotic surgery
  • Diplomate American Board of Urology
  • Member - Society of Sexual Medicine

  "I enjoy the personal interactions with patients as well as the challenges and rewards of being a surgeon," says Dr. Ludlow on why he became a surgeon.

• Michael Traver, MD
  

  Michael Traver, M.D. is a board certified urologist with Western Michigan Urological Associates. He obtained his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at Wake Forest University. In addition, Dr. Traver completed a fellowship in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. He is a Holland-native and earned his undergraduate degree from Hope College.

  As part of the WMURO team, Dr. Traver provides treatments for a wide range of adult and pediatric urological conditions. His areas of interest include robotic and laparoscopic surgery, male and female voiding dysfunction and stone disease. When Dr. Traver is not in the office you can find him spending time with his wife and four children, out on the golf course or skiing.

  Dr. Traver’s areas of special expertise, research and experience include:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Fellowship trained in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery
  • Urinary Incontinence
  • Certified da Vinci® robotic surgery
  • Stone Disease
  • Diplomat American Board of Urology

  When asked what his most rewarding moment as a physician has been, Dr. Traver states, "Improving a patient's quality of life. Taking care of patients is a partnership, in which education is the most crucial aspect. I believe that when a patient thoroughly understands their condition and options, the most effective care can be provided."

• Bradley Willoughby, MD, FACS
  

  Bradley Willoughby, M.D. is a board-certified urologist with Western Michigan Urological Associates. He is a fourth generation physician and a Michigan native who earned his undergraduate degree at Alma College. Dr. Willoughby obtained his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his internship and residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. In addition, Dr. Willoughby received a clinical fellowship in Urology Oncology through the American Cancer Society and has advanced training in laparoscopic surgery, incontinence techniques and robotic surgery. He is skilled in all facets of adult and pediatric urology and was one of the first urologists in Western Michigan to become certified on the da Vinci® robotic surgical system.

  Dr. Willoughby became a physician because of the great opportunity to help others and stay intellectually stimulated lifelong. His most rewarding moment as a physician is successful cancer surgeries – seeing the looks of fear and anxiety change to relief and joy on the faces of the patients and their families. He is involved with the Western Michigan Urological Association, the American Urological Association, active with the Luke Society and volunteers for the Honduran Medical Mission and the Albanian Medical Mission. Dr. Willoughby is married and has one son, Harry, who is a midshipmen at the USNA. When he is not giving presentations and lectures on Prostate Cancer, da Vinci Robotic surgery, Incontinence or Treatments of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, he likes playing platform tennis, golf and bicycling.

  Dr. Willoughby's areas of special expertise, research and experience include:

  • Urologic cancers
  • Stone disease
  • Voiding dysfunction
  • Prostatic hyperplasia
  • Certified da Vinci® robotic surgery
  • Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
  • Diplomate American Board of Urology

  "The Urology care available here is second to none. Our continuing educational and academic endeavors, combined with the modern, full-service facilities provided by the hospitals we cover – allow my team and I to continually strive to provide the most cutting edge urology services," says Dr. Willoughby.