It is an honor to be part of the 2023-2024 AUA Leadership Program (LP) which kicked off July 28-30, 2023. The program, which started in 2004, has a strong legacy, developing leaders and contributors within the AUA. This year the program was increased to 3 members per section and includes numerous already accomplished urologists. Being part of the LP is an exciting opportunity to receive mentorship from existing leaders and to be amongst motivated urologists from other subspecialties and career paths. My goal in participating in the LP is to develop leadership skills which will improve my growth within the AUA, subspecialty societies, my home institution, and my department, which will in turn broaden future career opportunities.

Although I have been part of the AUA since I was a medical student, it was not until participating in the LP that I understood the governance of the AUA. Did you know that the AUA has approximately 150 employees and over 900 volunteers who help the AUA, AUA Research and Education, Urology Care Foundation, and AUA PAC function? Knowing the structure of the AUA and having a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes activities allows me to better appreciate the support, education, planning, and legislation that is being done on our behalf. I am now motivated to be part of the AUA volunteer team and understand how to get involved so that I can give to the organization which has fostered my growth.

The LP is an opportunity to engage with colleagues from other institutions and subspecialties with varied experiences who are at different points of their careers. As part of the LP, we are divided into small groups and tasked to complete a capstone project aimed to better understand a need within urology. My team will identify the challenges of urologists working in rural and underserved communities as part of the effort to increase the urology workforce. These projects are often outside of our regular research interests and require us to leverage our best time management, communication, and teamwork skills on top of our regular commitments.

The LP helps me to recognize that leadership takes numerous forms and exists in numerous microcosms (ie in the operating room, in the clinic, as a resident educator, as a medical student mentor). We engage in leadership education designed to help us maximize the best of our own personalities and those around us to achieve maximum results. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the LP, which will surely be a pivotal point in my career. I will utilize the skills developed to improve myself and those around me. I’m excited to see the path my career may take and how the LP will help along the way.