AUANews Inside Tract

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety In this episode, Dave Friedlander, MD, MPH, joins Andrew Harris, MD, MBA, chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, to discuss the implementation of a care pathway designed to improve discharge and follow-up for patients presenting to the emergency department with renal colic. They explore how this pathway has reduced emergency department revisits and shortened the time from urology referral to outpatient appointment. To learn more about how to implement quality improvement projects, view the AUA's Quality Improvement Project Guide.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Dr. Tim Bukowski and Valre Welch take listeners behind the scenes of a long‑running pediatric urology mission in Belize—most recently supported by a Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant. They explore how a multispecialty, continuity‑based model is transforming care for children with complex conditions such as spina bifida. From surgical innovation and telehealth to local workforce training and lifelong patient relationships, the conversation highlights the power of sustainable global health partnerships and their lasting impact on both patients and providers.   Applications are now open for our Humanitarian Grant Program! Apply Now

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Dr. Sutchin Patel takes listeners inside the 2026 AUA History Exhibit, Explorations: Urology and Extreme Environments. Joined by former NASA flight surgeon Dr. Jeff Jones, the conversation explores how spaceflight and other extreme environments are shaping the future of urology, and why understanding history is essential as the field looks beyond Earth.

AUA Secretary, Dr. David Penson, previews the AUA2026 Keynote Ramon Guiteras Lecture with Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, exploring overdiagnosis, cancer screening, and the unintended harms of finding too much. From PSA testing to incidental imaging findings, this episode challenges how—and when—we look for disease.

Dr. Steven Kaplan, founder and director of AUA Innovation Nexus, sits down with Brian Hogan and Britton Garrett to discuss how the AUA Innovation Nexus is driving rapid growth in urologic innovation. From at-home diagnostics to AI and data-driven care, they explore what's transforming the field, what investors value, and key lessons for startup success.

During Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Phil Pierorazio sits down with Dr. Charles Freeman McCluskey, a urology resident whose career was shaped by his own diagnosis of bilateral testicular cancer. He shares his experience navigating early symptoms, misdiagnoses, and urgent treatment during the onset of COVID, and how that journey led him to urology.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Drs. Andrew Harris and Amanda North explore the AUA's new quality improvement brief, reframing burnout as a system-level issue that impacts patient safety—not just physician well-being. They discuss why quick fixes fall short and share practical strategies to restore joy in work through better workflows, team-based solutions, and smarter use of technology.

Developed by the Medical Student Membership Workgroup, the Urology Spotlight Series educates medical students about a particular subspecialty within urology, including common cases and procedures. In this episode, medical student Brandon Noorvash is joined by Dr. Sepehr Nowfar, a general urologist and Medical Director of the Cancer Center of Excellence at Unio Specialty Care - Los Alamitos, for a discussion on the field of general urology.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract's Igniting Discovery series, AUA's Research Grants Program Sr. Manager, Sarah Gross, speaks with Bryan Pinchuk, founder and CEO of InnoCare Urologics and a winner of the 2025 AUA Innovation Nexus Showcase. Pinchuk shares how his team redesigned the Foley catheter with a safety valve that automatically deflates when accidentally pulled, reducing injury risk for patients and clinicians. He also discusses the inspiration behind the device, the path to FDA clearance, what he learned at AUA Innovation Nexus, and lessons for early-stage medical device innovators. Learn more about Innovation Nexus: https://www.auanexus.org/

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Dr. Stacy Tanaka, editor of AUANews, speaks with third-year medical student Allison Meling about their experience participating in the FUTURE in Urology program at the AUA Advocacy Summit. Together, they reflect on the importance of programs that support medical students, build community within the specialty, and empower the next generation of urologists to advocate for patients and the future of the field.

In this episode, Dr. Zach Feuer joins Dr. Andrew Harris, chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, for a conversation on the implementation of a telehealth-based program for the evaluation of men referred for elevated PSA. They discuss how the implementation of this quality improvement project reduced the time from referral to prostate cancer diagnosis.

Developed by the AUA Residents and Fellows Committee, each episode of the Training Transformed podcast series features an interview with a urology faculty member and resident physician surrounding an innovative facet of resident education at their institution. Tune in for our fifth episode as moderator, Dr. Kayla Graham, chats with Dr. Max Bowman and medical student, Lynn Leng, about their revamped Morbidity & Mortality conference model at the University of California San Francisco.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Global Perspectives, Dr. Kristen Scarpato and Dr. Boyd Viers reflect on their experience in the American Urological Association–European Association of Urology Academic Exchange Program. From operative efficiency and training differences to lasting professional relationships, they share key takeaways from their time in France and Germany, and why global exchange can reinvigorate your career and expand your impact.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Igniting Discovery, Kevin Eisenfrats, CEO of Contraline and 2025 Innovation Nexus Showcase winner, discusses the development of two novel male contraceptives, a daily hormonal gel (NEST) and a long-lasting, reversible implant (ADAM). He shares insights on clinical progress, regulatory strategy, and advice for innovators navigating the urology startup space through the AUA Innovation Nexus program.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Dr. Ray Tan speaks with Dr. Emilie Johnson, pediatric urologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, about her work as an inaugural recipient of the Urology Care Foundation Bridge Award, supported by Dornier MedTech. Dr. Johnson discusses how the award is sustaining her implementation science research on equitable newborn circumcision care during a critical funding gap, and how user-centered design and global health frameworks are helping translate research into real-world clinical impact.

Developed by the AUA Residents and Fellows Committee, each episode of the Training Transformed podcast series features an interview with a urology faculty member and resident physician surrounding an innovative facet of resident education at their institution. Tune in for our fourth episode as moderator, Dr. Kayla Graham, chats with Dr. Casey Kowalik and Dr. Emily Elliott from the University of Kansas Medical Center about their unique rural urology rotation at Cameron Medical Center.

In this episode of AUA News Inside Tract, Dr. Mark Gonzalgo, professor of urology at the University of Miami and Chair of the AUA Office of Education, speaks with Dr. Rigoberto Pallares-Mendez, attending urologist at Hospital General Tijuana and Hospital Ángeles Tijuana, about his experience as an AUA Exchange Scholar. Dr. Pallares-Mendez shares his path into urology, his passion for robotic surgery, and insights gained from training in Miami. Together, they explore differences between U.S. and Mexican healthcare systems, the importance of mentorship and systems-based practice, and how global exchange programs help elevate patient care across borders.

Join Drs. Minhaj Siddiqui, Kristen Scarpato, and Chad Ritch as they discuss an exciting opportunity to participate in a national quality improvement project sponsored by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Cancer Programs to improve timely administration of intravesical chemotherapy post-TURBT (TaPT). Time is limited to engage in this opportunity – the intent to participate in the TaPT Quality Improvement Collaborative is due to the ACS by February 15, 2026. To learn more about the opportunity, visit https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer-programs/cancer-qi-programs/tapt-national-quality-improvement-project/ and consider advocating with your institution to participate.

What does it take to turn a clinical idea into a scalable medical device? In this AUANews Insight Tract episode, Dr. Hugo Davila and Dr. Raul Storey of Arcus Medical reflect on their experience as participants in the AUA Innovation Nexus Boot Camp. They explore how Nexus connects physicians, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to help overcome common startup challenges, including FDA pathways, IP protection, reimbursement, and investor engagement. Discover how this physician-driven accelerator is transforming urology innovation and enabling founders to bring their ideas from concept to care.

Developed by the Society of Academic Urologists in partnership with the American Urological Association, the SAU/AUA Urology Match Insider series provides medical students interested in the field of urology an inside look into the Urology Residency Match process. In this episode, medical student, Lola Lozano, sits down with Dr. Sara Lenherr and Dr. Adam Weiner to discuss the power of mentorship, including best practices for students seeking a mentor, key attributes of a successful mentorship relationship, and lessons learned from past mentee-mentor experiences.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, UPJ's new Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Kathleen Kobashi, and Associate Editor, Dr. Gina Badalato, share their vision for the future of Urology Practice. They discuss the journal's unique role in delivering practical, education-focused research, evolving article types, emerging topics like AI, and how readers can engage as authors and reviewers.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety In this episode, Dr. Kevin Koo joins Dr. Andrew Harris, Chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, for a conversation on opioid prescribing practices and patient-reported pain outcomes following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). They discuss the development and implementation of a tailored opioid prescribing algorithm that reduced unnecessary prescriptions, ensured adequate pain management, and highlighted the importance of multimodal analgesia in postoperative care.

Join Josh Webster and Dr. Mark Edney as they break down the AUA's most significant health policy victories of 2025. From the historic removal of the FDA's black box warning on low-dose estrogen to progress on Medicare payment reform, NIH research funding, prior authorization relief, telehealth expansion, and prostate cancer screening advocacy, 2025 was a big year for the AUA. This special AUANews Inside Tract episode brings listeners inside the halls of Congress, highlights the AUA's growing influence in federal and state policy, outlines what's next, and how members can stay engaged as momentum builds for 2026.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Census Trends, Dr. Catherine Nam and Dr. Hannah Glick explore key findings from the AUA Census on burnout among urologists, with nearly half reporting symptoms of stress. They discuss unhealthy coping mechanisms, the stigma around seeking mental health care, and how licensure policies may discourage physicians from getting help. The episode also offers actionable steps for physicians, administrators, and policymakers to support well-being and shift the culture around mental health in medicine.

In this episode of Global Perspectives, Dr. Niels Johnsen and Dr. George Koch share their firsthand experiences as AUA Academic Exchange Scholars in India. From clinical insights to cultural discoveries, they reflect on the lessons learned, the surprises encountered, and the lasting impact of international collaboration on their approach to urology.

Developed by the AUA Residents and Fellows Committee, each episode of the Training Transformed podcast series features an interview with a urology faculty member and resident physician surrounding an innovative facet of resident education at their institution. Tune in for our next episode as moderator, Dr. Samuel Ivan, chats with Drs. Philipp Dahm, Lane Shish and Pooja Srikanth about the University of Minnesota's international partnership and exchange program with the University of Helsinki.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, we celebrate 50 years of research support in urology. Since 1975, the AUA and the Urology Care Foundation have awarded nearly $40 million to over 1,000 researchers, driving innovation and improving care for millions of patients. Host Dr. Damara Kaplan sits down with Dr. Glenn Preminger, a distinguished AUA Research Scholar alumnus and pioneer in kidney stone management and minimally invasive surgery, to reflect on the legacy of AUA research, explore his groundbreaking career, and look ahead to the future of urologic innovation.    

In this AUANews Inside Tract episode, Drs. Rachel Rubin and Una Lee take listeners inside the movement that successfully pushed the FDA to eliminate the outdated black box warning on estrogen therapies. They unpack the origins of the warning, the modern evidence that contradicts it, the impact on GSM care, and the powerful role urology played in driving this change. A forward-looking conversation about implementation, education, and the future of hormone-based care.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, join Dr. Kyle A. Richards and Dr. Kathryn Marchetti as they celebrate Bladder Health Month by talking about innovations in bladder cancer. In this conversation, they explore the rapidly evolving landscape of non–muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) — from FDA-approved advances like ZUSDURI (mitomycin gel) to emerging chemoablation therapies, the BCG shortage, and the promise of gene-based treatments for BCG-unresponsive disease. This episode is supported by Natera.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety In this episode, Dr. Andrew Harris, Chair of AUA's Quality Improvement & Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, joins Dr. Gregory Auffenberg, Immediate Past Chair of AUA's QIPS Committee, for a conversation about why health care quality should matter to everyone, how the urology community can take meaningful steps towards driving improvement and what quality looks like in different care settings. They also introduce QIPS Insights, a new podcast series that will highlight real-world patient safety and quality improvement projects through interviews with project leads about how they got started, lessons learned, and what worked well.

Karen Johnson, AUA's Director of Quality and Measurement, speaks with Dr. Matthew Nielsen, Chair of the AUA's Science & Quality Council, and Dr. David Penson, AUA's Secretary, to discuss the AUA's National Quality Agenda and Strategies for Urologic Practice. Together, they provide an overview of the Agenda, explore its significance for both the organization and the field of urology, and explain why it matters to every practicing urologist. Interested in learning more about AUA's National Quality Agenda? Check out the AUANews article "Improving Outcomes in Advanced Prostate Cancer: Q&A With Dr. Randy Vince on AUA's New Quality Initiative."

In the fourth and final episode of the Quality Improvement (QI) Project Guide series, Drs. Julia Finkelstein and Robert Marcovich join Dr. Andrew Harris, Chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, for a conversation on acting on the results of and sustaining a QI project. They discuss how to interpret your results of an intervention, decide your next step, and create a realistic plan for sustaining and spreading successful QI interventions.

In the third episode of the four-part Quality Improvement (QI) Project Guide series, Dr. Justin Ziemba joins Dr. Andrew Harris, Chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, for a conversation on implementing and studying a QI project. They discuss what happens when you test a QI intervention in a real-world setting and what you should look for when monitoring the intervention. 

In the second episode of the four-part Quality Improvement (QI) Project Guide series, Martin A. Koyle MD, MSc, MMgmt, MBA(cert.), FAAP, FACS, FRCSC, FRCS (Eng.), FRSM, and Kara Watts, MD, join Andrew Harris, MD, MBA, Chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, for a conversation on AUA's new QI Project Guide. They discussed the planning phase of a QI project and how strong preparation can set a project up for success.

In the first episode of the four-part Quality Improvement (QI) Project Guide series, Dr. John Lam joins Dr. Andrew Harris, Chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, for a conversation on AUA's new QI Project Guide. They discuss the purpose of the guide, the key methodology mentioned in the guide and how the guide can be used in your own QI work.

Developed by the AUA Residents and Fellows Committee, each episode of the Training Transformed podcast series features an interview with a urology faculty member and resident physician surrounding an innovative facet of resident education at their institution. Tune in for our second episode as moderator, Dr. Kayla Graham chats with Dr. Ryan Steinberg and Dr. Brent Yelton about the Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum developed at the University of Iowa.

In this inaugural episode of Global Perspectives, co-hosts Dr. Soroush Rais-Bahrami and Dr. Mohummad Siddiqui reflect on their recent experience in Japan as part of the AUA's Global Exchange Program. From unexpected cultural insights to groundbreaking clinical practices, they share what they learned, what surprised them and how international collaboration is shaping the future of urology. 

Developed by the Society of Academic Urologists in partnership with the American Urological Association, the SAU/AUA Urology Match Insider series provides medical students interested in the field of urology an inside look into the Urology Residency Match process. In this episode, medical student, Irene Choi, sits down with Dr. Justin S. Han and Dr. Jennifer K. Yates to discuss ways medical students can prepare for their match interviews. 

Developed by the AUA Residents and Fellows Committee, each episode of the Training Transformed podcast series features an interview with a urology faculty member and resident physician surrounding an innovative facet of resident education at their institution. Tune in for this first episode as moderator, Dr. Samuel Ivan, chats with Dr. Alison Keenan and Dr. Kayla Graham, about the longitudinal resident clinic developed at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.

Brought to you by the AUA Residents and Fellows Committee and originally presented during the Residents Forum program at AUA2025 in Las Vegas, this panel discussion features moderator Dr. Ramzy Burns and guests Dr. Helen Bernie, Dr. Joseph Brito and Dr. Richard Lee as they discuss the why and how of continually developing yourself as a urologic surgeon post-residency.

Dr. Andrew Harris and Dr. Kate Kraft, the previous and current chairs of the Workforce Task Force, explore how AUA Census data reflects the evolving landscape of urology. From the decline of solo practice to the growing need for rural access and the challenges of residency training, they discuss the factors shaping today's workforce and what it means for the future of patient care.

In this special Sexual Health Awareness Month episode, Dr. Rena Malik and Dr. Justin Dubin break down the top 10 things every urologist should know about sexual health. This episode goes beyond the basics, emphasizing that sexual health is integral to overall health, important questions you should ask when screening patients and the connection between sexual and mental health. Whether or not you specialize in sexual medicine, this conversation offers practical, evidence-based insights for every urologist.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Track, Founder of Man vs. Prostate, Dr. Wayne Kuang, talks with Dr. Jay Raman as they discuss the Man vs. Prostate campaign and its growing role in men's health awareness. They explore how the movement expands the conversation beyond prostate cancer to include bladder health, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the challenges men face in seeking timely care. This conversation highlights why prostate cancer awareness and bladder health must be recognized as public health priorities—and how advocacy and education can help redefine men's health.

Developed by the Medical Student Membership Workgroup, the Urology Spotlight Series educates medical students about a particular subspecialty within urology, including common cases and procedures. In this episode, medical student Noa Ferziger is joined by Dr. Nitya Abraham, Professor of Urology and Ob/Gyn at Montefiore Medical Center, and Dr. Melissa Laudano, Associate Professor of Urology and Ob/Gyn at Montefiore Medical Center, for a discussion on the field of urogynecology. 

Developed by the Society of Academic Urologists in partnership with the American Urological Association, the SAU/AUA Urology Match Insider series provides medical students interested in the field of urology an inside look into the Urology Residency Match process. In part 2 of this episode, medical student, Vivian Wang continues her conversation with Dr. Gina Badalato and Dr. Erica Traxel as they discuss the importance of preference signaling and how the Match is an ever-evolving process.    The Urology Residency Match (Urology Match or SAU Match) is governed by the Society of Academic Urologists. For more than 40 years, the AUA has administered the Urology Residency Match on behalf of the SAU. 

Brought to you by the AUA Young Urologists Committee, "Parenting In Urology" explores the challenges and triumphs of balancing parenthood with a career in urology. Tune in as host Carmen Tong, DO, joins guests Christina Carpenter, MD and Chloe Peters, MD, to share essential insights on leave policies, mental well-being, and strategies to navigate the unique demands of being both a physician and a parent.

Developed by the Medical Student Membership Workgroup, the Urology Spotlight Series educates medical students about a particular subspecialty within urology, including common cases and procedures. In this episode, Irene Choi, medical student at St. George's University, is joined by Dr. Kristin Ebert, Assistant Professor of Urology at the University of Wisconsin, and Dr. Casey Seideman, Associate Professor of Urology at the Oregon Health & Science University, for a discussion on the field of Pediatric Urology.

In this episode of AUA Inside Tract, Dr. Kevin Koo, endourologist and chair of the AUA Federal Advocacy Committee, is joined by Dr. Grace Hyun, pediatric urologist and AUAPAC board member, to unpack one of the most pressing issues in urologic practice today: prior authorization. Using data from the AUA Census, they explore how increasing administrative burdens are delaying care, adding unnecessary costs and contributing to physician burnout. With over half of urologists reporting that prior authorization significantly affects patient outcomes, this episode highlights the real-world impact of policy on daily practice. Take the AUA Census: auanet.org/TakeCensus Support the AUAPAC: myauapac.org

Developed by the Society of Academic Urologists in partnership with the American Urological Association, the SAU/AUA Urology Match Insider series provides medical students interested in the field of urology an inside look into the Urology Residency Match process. In this episode, medical student Avani Desai, sits down with Dr. Kathleen Kieran and Dr. Costas Lallas to discuss putting together your match application, including crafting your personal statement, securing letters of recommendation and how to make yourself stand out. The Urology Residency Match (Urology Match or SAU Match) is governed by the Society of Academic Urologists. For more than 40 years, the AUA has administered the Urology Residency Match on behalf of the SAU. 

In this episode of AUA Inside Tract, join Dr. Hans Arora, a practicing pediatric urologist at the UNC School of Medicine, as he talks with Dr. Stephen Nakada, the AUA's immediate past president, about his presidency and what he took away from his year in the position.