Dr Hugh Hampton Young, “Father of American Urology,” pioneered and discovered influential tools, techniques, and treatments that led the AUA to recognize and commemorate his efforts by establishing the Hugh Hampton Young Award. Although the AUA honors a single individual, this year in my case, I believe the award really recognizes the achievements and accomplishments of a team of mentors, colleagues and trainees during my academic career.

When asked to write what this award represents to me, my first thought was grateful thankfulness for having so many who supported, guided, and most importantly, befriended me. There are many to thank, but I would be remiss if I did not name individuals during my training and formative years whose interests were always about giving and leading by example more than accepting self-recognition. The debt I owe Drs Smith, Koch, Herr, Scardino, Flanigan, Thompson, and Schellhammer can never be fully repaid. I was also really touched to receive word of this award by a personal phone call from Dr Messing, Society of Urologic Oncology and AUA past president. I had no idea what his call was about, and to receive congratulations and recognition from someone as humble and gracious as he meant a lot. And there are countless others who deserve my thanks and continuous heartfelt appreciation.

In addition to this sense of thankfulness, I realize that I do not fit the Cambridge definition of honoring someone: “to give someone a public reward to show appreciation for unusual achievement.”¹ To be clear, I have not accomplished any personal unusual achievement. All of my achievements were based on my good fortune to interact, communicate, and work with really incredible individuals who sought to improve patient care, make innovative research efforts, and selflessly promote the team. This team has been led for years by Dr Joseph A. Smith Jr. Receiving the award really hit home when he told me, “Not sure about the others, but that one [Hugh Hampton Young Award] really is a big deal and an acknowledgment of how highly your peers view you. I’ve known who you are and what you would accomplish since you were a wee medical student.”

Especially knowing there are many equally and likely more deserving individuals, this recognition brings with it a great responsibility to continue the forward progress we have made in treating patients with urologic cancers and supporting the future generation of research and clinical leaders.