Why Choose North Alabama Urology, PC
Physicians
Joseph P. Hicks, MD
I am a native of Jackson, Georgia. I graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Biology. I received my medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, where I also trained in General Urology. After my residency, I completed a Pediatric Urology fellowship at Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. I moved to Huntsville in 1995. Here, I specialize in treating patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, who have congenital or acquired urologic conditions. I am certified by the American Board of Urology.
Joseph A. Pettus, MD
I am a native of Huntsville, Alabama. I went to Auburn University and graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1995. Following that, I went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for medical school. I trained in General Urology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City before doing a Urologic Oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. I spent three years as Assistant Professor of Urology at Wake Forest University before moving home and joining North Alabama Urology. Here, I specialize in minimally invasive cancer surgery as well as general urology. My cancer care philosophy is geared toward a multidisciplinary approach with a clear understanding that treatment must be tailored to the individual patient. I am certified by the American Board of Urology.
Paul J. Zbell, MD
I am a native of Trumbull, Connecticut. I received a degree in Biology and Genetics from Cornell University in 1987 before attending Baylor College of Medicine. I finished my General Urology training at Baylor in 1997 and then moved to Huntsville to join North Alabama Urology. Here, I have a special interest in Endoscopic Urology as well as General Urology. I am certified by the American Board of Urology.
Ryan D. Black, MD
I was born in Michigan and moved to the Nashville area as a child. I graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2008. I attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, graduating in 2013. I completed my internship in surgery, and my residency in urology in Memphis as well, graduating in 2018. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our three boys, running, and photography. I have an interest in general urology, endoscopic urology and robotic surgery. I am certified by the American Board of Urology.
Jacob Britt, MD
A native of Birmingham, AL, Dr. Britt earned his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University, graduating summa cum laude in 2015. He was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and graduated as a University Honors Scholar. During his time at Auburn, he met his wife, Whitney, while they were both working as on-campus tutors. They later married in 2019.
He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was inducted into both the Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism honor societies, reflecting his commitment to both academic excellence and patient-centered care. Dr. Britt then completed his surgical training at the Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, FL, training extensively at Tampa General Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center. As a resident, he was honored with the inaugural Jorge Lockhart Award for Clinical Excellence and Professionalism in 2022.
Dr. Britt completed five years of specialized surgical training in general urology, with a focus on robotic surgery and prosthetic urology. After residency, he joined North Alabama Urology, where he provides expert care in all aspects of adult urology. He is committed to providing up-to-date treatments to improve both quality of life and longevity for his patients. He focuses on identifying and treating the underlying causes of disease whenever possible, rather than superficial symptom management. His clinical interests include genitourinary malignancies, urologic prosthetics, Peyronie’s disease, urinary dysfunction, and urinary stone disease.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Britt enjoys cooking, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and miniature labradoodles. He tolerates Auburn sports to the best of his ability.
Allied Professionals
Lindsay Ganey, P.A.
Bennett B. Smith, PA-C
I am a native of Huntsville, Alabama. I went to Troy University and graduated with a major in Biomedical Sciences and minor in Psychology. Following that, I went to the University of South Alabama for my Physician Assistant Studies Program. After graduation, I moved back to Huntsville, Alabama and began my career in urology. Along with the physicians in our practice, I spend my time seeing patients in the clinic as well as first assisting in surgery. I am certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.