According to the annual AUA Census, the number of Hispanic urologists practicing in America grew from 497 (3.8% of all urologists) to 584 (4.4%) between 2018 and 2021.¹ Likewise, the number of Hispanic matched urology residency applicants rose from 14 to 44 between 2018 and 2023.^2,3 This increased Hispanic representation in the urological workforce is reflective of nationwide population trends. Recent projections anticipate that Hispanics will become the largest minority group in America by 2050 and make up nearly 30% of the overall population.⁴ The continued diversification of urological patients and providers has highlighted the needs of the Hispanic community and prompted the creation of the Hispanic Urological Society of North America (HUSNA).

HUSNA will debut at the 2023 AUA Annual Meeting in Chicago. HUSNA was founded in 2022 and aims to maximize collaboration among peers, promote health maintenance, educate physicians and patients alike, and provide culturally sensitive care. Serving as a forum for Hispanic urologists, HUSNA will unite academics and clinicians in a network for dialogue, with critical analysis of prevalent urological conditions. HUSNA intends to promote excellence in care and improve the urological health status of Hispanic patients by supporting scholarly endeavors investigating the effects of urological diseases on the Hispanic community.

HUSNA will also write and distribute white papers, thus giving members an opportunity to be involved in research groups related to specific topics. Ultimately, HUSNA will seek to align with a premier journal to create a collaborative dialogue. The society will be a mechanism for members to submit articles related to Hispanic urological conditions to the journal. Submissions will be reviewed by HUSNA and the associated journal via the standard editorial review process.

In concert with its clinical and academic goals, HUSNA will also function as the foremost network of mentors for aspiring Hispanic urologists. The established urologists that make up HUSNA understand the unique challenges that Hispanic urological trainees may encounter. In the past, Hispanic urological trainees interested in urology had to navigate medical school and residency training without the guidance of mentors that shared their life experiences and culture. By investing in mentor-mentee programs, HUSNA aims to ensure that Hispanic urological trainees are not only supported, but sufficiently challenged and prepared for the rigors of a urology residency. HUSNA will bridge current and future generations of Hispanic urologists by facilitating meaningful relationships and continue to support the diversification of the urological workforce.

HUSNA will host scientific meetings to continue advocating for Hispanic patients and to meet our clinical, academic, and mentorship goals. The meeting opportunities will be virtual, as needed, and in-person at the national meetings. HUSNA scientific meetings will feature noted academicians, researchers, and clinicians who will present case-based information and debate the current treatments, which will create a forum for questions and answers. Best practice in culturally sensitive patient care will be an ongoing mission of HUSNA’s scientific meetings. HUSNA will hold our first meeting at the AUA Annual Meeting in 2023 on April 29 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you in Chicago.