The Urology Care Foundation supports, at its foundation, research and the development of future thought leaders in urology. I take this opportunity to recognize some of the creative approaches taken to strengthen these 2 cornerstones by:

1. broadening the Foundation’s community engagement and support, and
2. harnessing resources to help guide the foundation during these tumultuous times.

Research Scholars Outreach–Honoring the Past

Led by Drs. Ralph Clayman, Larry Lipshultz and Joseph Smith, this group has worked diligently to engage the community of Urology Care Foundation Alumni Awardees, which include more than 850 past Research Scholars and other award recipients dating back to 1975. Those individuals funded in the inaugural 1975-1985 decade of the Research Scholars Program have been engaged as a Founding Scholars community. Virtual conferences have allowed us to hear stories about how funding from the Foundation helped propel their aspirations to become career investigators, and for our leaders to teach them about new and expanding programs from the Foundation. Testimonials from these individuals are helping us engage other subsets of this community, as we encourage all to pay it forward to the next generation. It is amazing to see how today’s awardees are engaged with a sense of belonging in this special community. Virtual reunions will be planned for additional classes of scholars in the coming year.

The 2021 Research Honors Program was held virtually in November and was a remarkable event. Awards were bestowed to researchers in a number of categories, and industry supporters shared their vision for continuing partnerships. Many of those recognized will become our future leaders. Congratulations to all!

Diversity and Inclusion

The Urology Care Foundation is on the move with vision and creativity, embedding Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) initiatives within each of its 3 pillars: research, education and its philanthropic programs. Councils and committees are diversifying, patient education materials are being developed to meet the needs of underrepresented populations, and new research programs are being established to support participants from racial and ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in the scientific workforce and in urology. Additionally, heritage initiatives and the evolution of humanitarian programs are being designed to address disparities of care within underserved populations and geographic areas and regions across the globe.

In May 2021, the Foundation Board approved the creation of a D&I subject matter expert to serve as a Special Advisor to the Board. An advisor will educate the board on D&I matters, help identify new programmatic opportunities and allow Foundation leaders to work outside normal networks to build a stronger, more inclusive organization. Led by Dr. Arthur Burnett, another work group used Board connections and leads to identify potential candidates. Discussions throughout the summer led to interviews in the fall and the successful recruitment of Dr. Kathleen Reeves for the position. A well-respected thought leader on community competence, health equity and inclusion, Dr. Reeves brings more than 2 decades of experience to her new role. Dr. Reeves serves as Chair and Professor of Urban Bioethics and Population Science, Director and Professor of the Center for Urban Bioethics, and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, where she has led the University’s long-standing commitment to D&I and was a catalyst in re-igniting their charge to build a more diverse health care workforce and environment.

We continue to assess everything we do, as well as explore new opportunities to be certain we achieve our vision of being the leader in improving health care for urological patients worldwide by supporting research, providing education and advancing humanitarian initiatives.