In 2023 the New York (NY) Section of the AUA sought to improve diverse representation within the section and initiated several new events with a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) theme. Within the board of directors of the NY Section, a DEI subcommittee was formed to ensure that DEI concerns are addressed appropriately and to help promote DEI events in the section.

The NY Section sponsored 2 DEI-related events at the New York Academy of Medicine. In March 2023 the 3 women members of the NY Section board of directors, Dr Amanda North, Dr Gina Badalato, and Dr Grace Hyun, worked with the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU) to hold the first NY Section/SWIU event. This dinner/networking event was sponsored by Boston Scientific. Response to the invitation was so overwhelming that a waitlist was created. Sixty physicians attended the event, which received high ratings from all participants. The evening began with a networking cocktail hour followed by multiple presentations by members of the section, including a keynote address by Dr Larissa Rodriguez, the first woman department chair in the NY Section. The event concluded with facilitated table discussions about such topics as work-life integration and mentorship. The second event was a combined Young Urologist/DEI event held in November 2023. Eight different industry sponsors participated in this event, which had 88 physicians in attendance. This evening also began with a networking cocktail hour. The programming began with an introduction by program chair, Dr Justin Han, followed by presentations by 4 young urologists: Dr Alexander Small, Dr Samir Derisavifard, Dr Meenakshi Davuluri, and Dr Lamont Barlowe. Similar to the SWIU event, the final part of the evening was reserved for small-group table discussions. In addition to industry support, this event benefited from the inaugural “Docs That Rock” fundraiser, which was supported by Focal One. The event took place in Hackensack, New Jersey, and featured a “battle of the urology bands” with 150 people in attendance and $3475 raised.

Improving gender equity in the NY Section took center stage in 2023. The NY Section board of directors was able to sponsor all 5 eligible women residents who applied to receive travel grants to the SWIU Annual Mentorship Conference in January 2024. The funding came from a combination of NY Section funds and personal contributions made by members of the board of directors. This year’s NY Section meeting took place in San Sebastien, Spain, with Dr Amanda North as the first woman scientific cochair. In 2024, Dr North will become the first woman to join the executive board of the NY Section and will begin her term as treasurer-elect. This will eventually make her the first woman president of the Section. The 2024 NY Section meeting will take place in Marrakesh, Morocco, in November and have 2 women scientific cochairs: Dr Gina Badalato and Dr Jessica Kreshover.

A diverse group of NY Section members will be receiving awards in 2024. We congratulate Dr Sammy Elsamra on his NY Section Young Urologist Award, Dr Larissa Rodriguez on the Victor Politano Award, Dr Brian McNeil on the AUA DEI Award, and Lane Palmer on the Distinguished Service Award. Additionally, Dr Unwanaobong Nseyo was the 2023 recipient of the AUA NY Section E. Darracott Vaughan Jr, MD, Research Scholar Award as an early-career investigator for her work in “Characterizing Provider-Driven Disparities in Advanced Therapies for Overactive Bladder Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Women” under the mentorship of Dr Larissa Rodriguez.

In summary, the NY Section has sought to incorporate a more diverse viewpoint in all aspects of the Section’s activity. This has led to a more diverse leadership group within the Section and more activities aimed at improving inclusivity in the future.