The Mid-Atlantic Section of the AUA (MAAUA) shares a deep desire to support and develop initiatives for the advancement of diversity in the field of medicine and beyond. The MAAUA Pre-Medicine Enrichment Program was initiated 3 years ago (Figure 1). The Pre-Medicine Enrichment Program is a scholarship program developed with a goal of encouraging first-generation, underrepresented minorities (URMs) to pursue a career in medicine. Residency programs in the Section can apply to host an undergraduate URM student for a summer. The selected programs provide mentoring and support that focus on developing key skills within the core areas of academic study, career planning, personal growth, and scientific research, all of which are essential to achieve a successful career in medicine. Because of the increased interest in mentoring these students, the program grew from 6 institutions to 8 institutions in 2023. Importantly, these students have helped create a network of support and inspiration for other undergraduate students. They have formed longitudinal relationships and continue to provide feedback to develop the program. The Section has just completed the application cycle for summer 2024!

Dr Larissa Bressler and her team piloted the AUA FUTURE (Future Urology Talent From Under-Represented Entities) program during AUA2023, and several of our members were able to participate in this event. Inspired by this program’s success, the Section created a new opportunity for our annual MAAUA meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia, last fall: the Proactive Urology Mentorship Program. URM students at undergraduate programs in the area were invited to spend a day during the Section meeting with members of the board. Four students from Hampton, Norfolk State, and Old Dominion Universities participated in the program (Figure 2). Given the engagement and overwhelmingly positive reviews, the program will return for the annual meeting at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

A new initiative that started this calendar year is the Visiting Medical Student Diversity Scholarship. This program focuses on providing opportunities for URM medical students to rotate at residency programs in the Section. By providing funding, the Section hopes to increase medical student exposure and interest in urology. Although these programs provide new and exciting opportunities to increase the pipeline of URM students pursing urology, the Mid-Atlantic Section seeks to amplify these groups through mentorship and sponsorship in residency and throughout their careers. By focusing on diversity of background and experience within its committees, programming, educational and research endeavors, the Section aims to advance our residents, faculty, and care teams.