When I was recently informed that I would be the recipient of the 2024 Robert C. Flanigan Education Award, I was surprised, but also deeply honored. It caused me to reflect on my 44 years in urology and the importance of the past mentors and role models in my career. My parents, Armenian immigrants who survived the genocide of 1915, always encouraged education first and foremost. My mentors in urology guided and encouraged me to be cognizant of the past but also to be forward thinking, innovative, and accepting of change as the keys to the future.

From the time I completed my urology residency in 1980, I was fortunate enough to spend my entire academic career at a single institution. Motivated by a drive to continue my personal education, I aimed to develop new and better ways to carry out our profession and I embraced the opportunity to pass on what I learned to future generations of urologists. Initially I was content to do this through my personal contact with medical students, residents, and fellows, locally at Boston University, as well as through subspecialty groups such as the Endourological Society. As my career advanced, I came to appreciate that mentoring and education extend far beyond one’s personal contacts. I became involved with the AUA at the New England Section and later at the national level.

The role of the AUA, through its Office of Education and its outreach programs, such as the Leadership Program, played a major role in my career through one of its core missions, education. I became involved in the Leadership Program shortly after its inception and served as a mentor for 5 of the first 7 classes. This was a truly gratifying experience, working with bright young colleagues throughout the nation. In addition to mentoring, the program has had a positive impact on gender and racial diversity, bringing together individuals with different backgrounds and subspecialties. The results of the Leadership Program have been incredible, with many of the graduates eventually becoming program directors, department chairs, and valued leaders and contributors to the field of urology. It is very satisfying to note that many recent executive positions at the AUA are now filled with Leadership graduates, including members of the AUA Board of Directors, chair of the Office of Education, editor of The Journal of Urology®, and AUA Secretary, to name a few. Certainly, this has been a true success story for the AUA in its vision to build future participation in the organization, and for me as an individual, who was fortunate enough to be involved on the ground floor and benefit from this unique mentorship experience.

Working with the AUA, at the national level, has broadened my perspective on education and the importance of large-scale mentoring, inclusivity, and group dynamics.

Although it is gratifying for me to be the recipient of the 2024 Robert C. Flanigan Award, I realize that it is far more than an individual accomplishment. Rather, it is a recognition of the role we all play in our daily activities. It is an acknowledgement of the forethought and success that the AUA has had in carrying out its educational mission and paving the way for future leadership. I am pleased that I was able to play a small role in this process.