Briony Kate Varda, MD, MPH

Research Director, Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction

Research Director, Urology

Co-Director, Spina Bifida Program

Urologist

Briony K. Varda, MD, MPH, is an urologist in the Division of Urology and the Division of Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction at Children’s National Hospital. She is also the director of research for each division and an assistant professor in urology and pediatrics at The George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is fellowship-trained in pediatric urology and board-certified in adult and pediatric urology. In 2023, Dr. Varda was recognized by the Washingtonian as a top doctor in urology. 

Dr. Varda is an expert in reconstructive urology for congenital anomalies of the urinary tract, pelvic floor and neurogenic bladder. Her subspecialty interests include the care of patients born with cloacal anomalies, cloacal exstrophy, urological anomalies associated with anorectal malformations, vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, hydroureter, urinary tract infection and neurogenic bladder related to abnormalities of the spinal cord (e.g. myelomeningocele and tethered cord syndrome). She accepts local, national and international referrals for these complex conditions, as well as second-opinion referrals. 

Dr. Varda completed her residency in the Harvard-Longwood Program in urology and her fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital prior to joining Children’s National. She has a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She leads a research lab focused on collaborative multidisciplinary research in health services and clinical outcomes. The lab is also a setting to train current trainees to be future surgeon-scientists. Her personal research centers around long-term clinical outcomes among patients born with cloacal malformations and curbing low-value healthcare utilization by children with spina bifida. She has authored numerous journal articles and chapters in these areas.  

As a physician, Dr. Varda is passionate about providing excellent care to all patients. As a mother herself, she believes connecting with families is integral. Her philosophy surrounding complex surgical care is that the surgeon and the family need to be a team every step of the way, relying on mutual trust and shared decision-making to deal with the clinical challenges unique to each patient.

• Spina Bifida Program
• Spina Bifida Transition Program
• Urology
• Urodynamics Testing
• Urinary Stone Program
• Healthy Urinary Guidance & Support Clinic