The 2023 Annual Clinical Assembly (ACA) of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) offered an exciting weekend for urologists with doctor of osteopathic degrees to come together (Figure 1). The ACOS has a rich history extending back to when it was established in 1927. Since that time, the ACOS has continued to be home for all osteopathic surgeons to promote high educational standards and excellent patient care, as well as providing osteopathic surgeons with a respected and unified voice. ACOS was proud to partner with current urologists and aspiring urologists from our medical student section to have programming detailing innovative research, practice improvement, and current guidelines.

Figure 1. Osteopathic surgeons, including Charleston Area Medical Center urologist Nathan Hale, DO, FACOS, gather for the ceremonial conclave.

The conference started on Thursday, September 21, with lectures and presentations spanning a wide array of topics including urology coding and telehealth, prostate MRI advancements, machine learning and its impact on clinical care, the impact of recent microhematuria guidelines, and resident burnout with suggestions on how to minimize burnout. Terminating with resident and student scientific research presentations and awards reception. Thursday terminated in an awards ceremony for the residents and students who presented research at the conference. There were many urology residents as well as medical students who presented high-quality research resulting in recognition. The following resident trainees and medical students won awards!

Osteopathic medical student (OMS) winners:

• Kimberly Lince, OMS-III (University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine), 2nd place, Podium Presentation
• Caroline Buckholtz, OMS-IV (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine), 1st place, Poster Presentation
• Edward Wu, OMS-IV (Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine), 1st place, Podium Presentation

Resident winners:

• Mike Smith, DO (postgraduate year [PGY]-4, Olympia Fields Urologic Surgery Residency), 1st place, Podium Presentation–Urological Surgery
• Zachariah Taylor, DO (PGY-4, Main Line Health Urologic Surgery Residency), 1st place, Robert C. Erwin Literacy Award
• Ian Madison, DO (PGY-2, Main Line Health Urologic Surgery Residency), 4th place, Robert C. Erwin Literacy Award
• Margeaux Dennis, DO (former chief, Sparrow Urology), Resident Achievement Award (Figure 2)

Figure 2. Margeaux Dennis, DO, who recently completed her urology residency at Sparrow Health System, receiving the Resident Achievement Award.

The conference continued Friday and Saturday with an excellent discussion about techniques and tips for retroperitoneal partial nephrectomies with expert insights. Further, there were presentations about Peyronie’s disease, lower urinary tract reconstruction, advances in the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery, minimally invasive and evolving management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma, and the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse. Expert panels focused on prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer guided attendees through difficult cases with discussion highlighting developments in new diagnostic imaging, surgical management, and utilization of emerging systemic therapies. Friday night was capped with the ACOS ceremonial conclave and president’s reception, which is held annually to honor new fellows of the college as well as osteopathic surgeons who have made significant contributions to their patients and communities. Three urologists were inducted as fellows at this year’s conclave:

• Daniel Edwards, DO (Berks County Urology, ACOS Chair at the AUA)
• Nefertiti Childrey, DO (NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln)
• Eric Coronado, DO (Gulf Coast Urology)

The ACA of the ACOS continues to be an inspiring and uplifting meeting for all osteopathic surgeons, with no exception to osteopathic urologists. In addition to the ACA, the ACOS hosts a program at the AUA Annual Meeting. We encourage any and all osteopathic urologists to be involved in the ACOS by supporting the mission and goals of the college, mentoring osteopathic students interested in urology, and attending the annual meetings.