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Deborah L. Jacobson
( out of 76 reviews )

Deborah L. Jacobson, MD, MS

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Urology
100 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113

Layton Parkway Clinic

Layton Parkway Clinic
201 W Layton Pkwy
Layton , UT 84041

Idaho Falls Community Hospital

Pediatric Specialty Center
2330 Desoto St.
Idaho Falls , ID 83404

Deborah Jacobson, MD, MS, FACS, is a board-certified pediatric urologist and Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Urology at University of Utah Health, specializing in comprehensive urologic care for children. Her clinical focus includes advanced surgical treatment for a wide range of pediatric urologic conditions, including inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, pyeloplasty, ureteral reimplantation, hypospadias repair, pediatric circumcision, cystoscopy, reconstructive urologic procedures, and pediatric stone disease management.

Dr. Jacobson’s surgical expertise and compassionate care make her a trusted provider for families seeking high-quality pediatric urology services in Utah and the surrounding Mountain West region. She also helped launch the robotic surgery program at Primary Children’s Hospital, expanding minimally invasive options for children undergoing urologic procedures.

Education and Training

Dr. Jacobson completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University before earning her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She went on to complete general surgery training and a urology residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She further specialized with a fellowship in Pediatric Urology at Northwestern University’s Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where she also earned a Master of Science in Health Services and Outcomes Research.

She joined the University of Utah Health in 2019 and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) to further strengthen her leadership in academic and clinical medicine.

Leadership and Academic Roles

Dr. Jacobson serves as the Associate Program Director for the Urology Residency Program at the University of Utah. She completed the ASE Surgical Education and Leadership Fellowship.. Her commitment to surgical education, mentorship, and innovation continues to shape the next generation of urologists.

Research Interests

Dr. Jacobson is actively involved in clinical and translational research, with interests in:

  • Health services and outcomes research in pediatric urology
  • Hypospadias outcomes and surgical techniques
  • Management of testicular torsion
  • Treatment of undescended testes (cryptorchidism)

Her work contributes to advancing evidence-based care and improving long-term outcomes for children with urologic conditions.

Outside the OR

Outside of her clinical and academic roles, Dr. Jacobson enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family. Her hobbies include hiking, camping, running, rock climbing, and both downhill and cross-country skiing in the beautiful mountains of Utah.

Specialties

Board Certification

American Board of Urology
American Board of Urology (Sub: Pediatric Urology)

Patient Rating

4.7 /5
( out of 76 reviews )

The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Patient Comments

Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

EXTERNAL SITE

She was fantastic!

PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

She was very nice and made sure I understood and was ok with the plan moving forward.

PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Jacobson was very good at explaining the procedures and the process. She explained it in details I needed, but also in a way 14-year-old son could follow. He felt secure that she would take care of him.

RIVERTON CLINICS

She is amazing and always goes the extra mile.

PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

I wish I wouldve gotten a little more information rather than waiting for two weeks, I get it though.

PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

she was in a hurry to get in and get out. after an infants surgery I expected A LOT more. no explanation of anything, my questions weren't answered because she "didn't know", I practically begged her to look at the surgery site to tell me if it looked okay. not what I expected at all.

PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Explained the procedure that will take place very well and any and all risks that are possible also explained how the procedure will look afterwards but that some of what we see will be normal and will look totally different after all the healing is done

PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Jacobson will help bring confidence and hope to any issue you need care for. She listens and answers all questions, as many times as you need. She makes our son feel comfortable even as a young toddler.

PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

She was very kind, patient, and thorough. I appreciate her making an effort to make sure I understood our options and what treatment would look like. She was very welcoming to both of my kids, and humored my sons questions, even though he wasn't the patient. They both felt valued and listened to, even at 5 and 3 years old. That makes all the difference in a child's medical care. Thank you Dr. Jacobson!

Deborah Jacobson, MD, MS, FACS, is a board-certified pediatric urologist and Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Urology at University of Utah Health, specializing in comprehensive urologic care for children. Her clinical focus includes advanced surgical treatment for a wide range of pediatric urologic conditions, including inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, pyeloplasty, ureteral reimplantation, hypospadias repair, pediatric circumcision, cystoscopy, reconstructive urologic procedures, and pediatric stone disease management.

Dr. Jacobson’s surgical expertise and compassionate care make her a trusted provider for families seeking high-quality pediatric urology services in Utah and the surrounding Mountain West region. She also helped launch the robotic surgery program at Primary Children’s Hospital, expanding minimally invasive options for children undergoing urologic procedures.

Education and Training

Dr. Jacobson completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University before earning her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She went on to complete general surgery training and a urology residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She further specialized with a fellowship in Pediatric Urology at Northwestern University’s Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where she also earned a Master of Science in Health Services and Outcomes Research.

She joined the University of Utah Health in 2019 and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) to further strengthen her leadership in academic and clinical medicine.

Leadership and Academic Roles

Dr. Jacobson serves as the Associate Program Director for the Urology Residency Program at the University of Utah. She completed the ASE Surgical Education and Leadership Fellowship.. Her commitment to surgical education, mentorship, and innovation continues to shape the next generation of urologists.

Research Interests

Dr. Jacobson is actively involved in clinical and translational research, with interests in:

  • Health services and outcomes research in pediatric urology
  • Hypospadias outcomes and surgical techniques
  • Management of testicular torsion
  • Treatment of undescended testes (cryptorchidism)

Her work contributes to advancing evidence-based care and improving long-term outcomes for children with urologic conditions.

Outside the OR

Outside of her clinical and academic roles, Dr. Jacobson enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family. Her hobbies include hiking, camping, running, rock climbing, and both downhill and cross-country skiing in the beautiful mountains of Utah.

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Surgery -Assistant Professor (Clinical)
Academic Divisions Urology
Board Certification
American Board of Urology
American Board of Urology (Sub: Pediatric Urology)

Education history

Undergraduate Religion - Princeton University A.B.
Graduate Training Education - Fordham University M.S.
Professional Medical Medicine - University of Pittsburgh M.D.
Residency Urology - Vanderbilt University Resident
Fellowship Pediatric Urology - Northwestern University Fellow
Graduate Training Health Services and Outcomes Research - Northwestern University M.S.

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Dovey S, McIntyre K, Jacobson D, Catov J, Wakim (2011). Is a premature rise in luteinizing hormone in the absence of increased progesterone levels detrimental to pregnancy outcome in GnRH antagonist in vitro fertilization cycles. Fertility and sterility, 96(3), 585-9.
  2. Jacobson DL, Johnson E (2017). Varicoceles in the pediatric and adolescent population: threat to future fertility?. Fertility and sterility, 108(3), 370-377.
  3. Jacobson DL, Thomas JC, Pope J 4th, Tanaka ST, Clayton DB, Brock JW 3rd, Adams M (2017). Update on Continent Catheterizable Channels and the Timing of their Complications. The Journal of urology, 197(3 Pt 2), 871-876.
  4. Jacobson DL, Flink CC, Johnson EK, Maizels M, Yerkes EB, Lindgren BW, Liu DB, Rosoklija I, Cheng EY, Gong E (2018). The Correlation between Serial Ultrasound and Diuretic Renography in Children with Severe Unilateral Hydronephrosis. The Journal of urology, 200(2), 440-447.
  5. Jacobson DL, Shannon R, Johnson EK, Gong EM, Liu DB, Flink CC, Meyer T, Cheng EY, Lindgren B (2019). Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Reoperative Repair for Failed Pyeloplasty in Children: An Updated Series. The Journal of urology, 201(5), 1005-1011.
  6. Jacobson DL, Johnson E (2017). Editorial Comment. The Journal of urology, 197(3 Pt 2), 917.
  7. Johnson EK, Jacobson DL, Finlayson C, Yerkes EB, Goetsch AL, Leeth EA, Cheng E (2020). Proximal Hypospadias-Isolated Genital Condition or Marker of More?. The Journal of urology, 204(2), 345-352.
  8. Johnson EK, Jacobson DL, Finlayson C, Yerkes EB, Goetsch AL, Leeth EA, Cheng E (2020). Reply by Authors. The Journal of urology, 204(2), 352.
  9. D'Oro A, Rosoklija I, Jacobson DL, Finlayson C, Chen D, Tu DD, Austin PF, Karaviti LP, Gunn SK, Nahata L, Kapa HM, Kokorowski PJ, Kim MS, Messina AC, Kolon TF, Yerkes EB, Cheng EY, Johnson E (2020). Patient and Caregiver Attitudes toward Disorders of Sex Development Nomenclature. The Journal of urology, 204(4), 835-842.
  10. Jacobson DL, Balmert LC, Holl JL, Rosoklija I, Davis MM, Johnson E (2021). Nationwide Circumcision Trends: 2003 to 2016. The Journal of urology, 205(1), 257-263.
  11. Prevedello DM, Barges-Coll J, Fernandez-Miranda JC, Morera V, Jacobson D, Madhok R, dos Santos MC, Zanation A, Snyderman CH, Gardner P, Kassam AB, Carrau (2009). Middle turbinate flap for skull base reconstruction: cadaveric feasibility study. The Laryngoscope, 119(11), 2094-8.
  12. Zambrano Navia M, Jacobson DL, Balmert LC, Rosoklija I, Holl JL, Davis MM, Johnson E (2020). State-Level Public Insurance Coverage and Neonatal Circumcision Rates. Pediatrics, 146(5),
  13. Jacobson DL, Shannon R, Cheng EY, Green JR, Rigsby CK, Schroeder SK, Malhotra NR, Rosoklija I, Holl JL, Johnson E (2019). Adherence to the 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics Urinary Tract Infection Guidelines for Voiding Cystourethrogram Ordering by Clinician Specialty. Urology, 126, 180-186.
  14. Jacobson DL, Johnson E (2019). Author Reply. Urology, 126, 186.
  15. Jacobson DL, D'Oro A, Abdullah F, Barsness KA, Liu DB, Maizels M, Rosoklija I, Johnson E (2020). Caregiver Reported Reasons for Delay of Neonatal Circumcision. Urology, 140, 143-149.
  16. Jacobson DL, Johnson E (2020). AUTHOR REPLY. Urology, 140, 149.
  17. Johnson EK, Malhotra NR, Shannon R, Jacobson DL, Green J, Rigsby CK, Holl JL, Cheng E (2017). Urinary tract infection after voiding cystourethrogram. Journal of pediatric urology, 13(4), 384.e1-384.e7.
  18. Shannon R, Jacobson D, Gong E, Lindgren B (2020). Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyelotomy and ileal ureter substitution: video demonstration. Journal of pediatric urology, 16(2), 255.
  19. Lynch KA Jr, Brown RF, Steinhagen E, Jacobson DL, Malhotra N, Hendershot K, Brownson KE, Bialowas C, Abdou H, Smith BK, Miller (2021). Transition from trainee to educator in the operating room: A needs assessment and framework to support junior faculty. American journal of surgery, 223, 1112-1119.
  20. Matta R, Horns JJ, Jacobson DL, Schaeffer AJ, Wallis MC, Lau G (2022). National trends and outcomes in the use of intravesical botulinum toxin and enterocystoplasty among patients with myelomeningocele. Urology, 166, 289-296.
  21. Cull JN, Jacobson DL, Lau GA, Cartwright PC, Wallis MC, Skarda D, Swendiman R, Schaeffer A (2023). Internal hernia with volvulus after major abdominal reconstructions in pediatric urology - An infrequently reported and potentially devastating complication. Journal of pediatric urology, 19(4), 402.e1-402.e7.
  22. Flink CC, Hobohm RE, Zhang B, Jacobson DL, England E (2024). Effects of night-float shifts on cognitive function among radiology residents. Emergency radiology, 31(5), 725-731.
  23. Swallow MS, Sharadin CA, Schaeffer AJ, Jacobson DL, Lau G (2024). Anterior deflected urinary stream in female children: description of a unique clinical entity and surgical management. Frontiers in pediatrics, 12, 1434021.
  24. Cull JN, Jacobson DL, Schaeffer A (2023). Spontaneous and rapid transcanalicular translocation of a previously retractile testicle into the abdomen of a post-pubertal, teenage male. Urology case reports, 48, 102397.

Review

  1. Jacobson DL,Lau G (2023). Outcomes of Current Bladder Outlet Techniques for Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction. Current bladder dysfunction reports, 18(4), 333-345.

Book Chapter

  1. Jacobson DL, Cheng EY, Lindgren B (2019). Secondary UPJ Management and Reoperative Pyeloplasty.
  2. Jacobson DL, Yerkes E (2019). Ambiguous Genitalia. 1,

Editorial

  1. Bogdana Schmidt, Deborah L. Jacobso (2024). Starting a robotics practice in urology: Transition from open to robotic.