The Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) was created to improve the care of patients with fetal and perinatal urologic problems through informational exchange amongst a multidisciplinary team of care providers, clinical and basic science research support, assistance with education and knowledge dissemination, and ongoing service as consultants to other urologic societies regarding fetal/perinatal genitourinary matters. As pediatric urologists, we play a critical role in the often-difficult counseling that occurs with expectant parents regarding prenatally diagnosed genitourinary conditions and, in select cases, discuss the role for fetal surgical intervention and associated potential risks and benefits. Thus, when the US Supreme Court ruled on the Dobbs v. Jackson case in 2022, the SFU recognized the need to educate our membership on the current state and potential implications of this decision for our prenatal patients as well as how this may impact our trainees, fellow pediatric urologists, and subspecialty consultants in their delivery of care. We commend Dr Casey Seideman, program chair for the Societies for Pediatric Urology’s 2023 Annual Meeting, for carving time out on the program for this critical topic, which was eloquently presented by Dr Vijaya Vemulakonda (Figure 1). SFU will continue to advocate for education and updates to our colleagues to allow pediatric urologists to continue provision of equitable access to prenatal counseling and supporting patients’ options for care.

Figure 1. Dr Vijaya Vemulakonda presenting an update on Dobbs’ Decision: Implications for Prenatal Counseling and Intervention at the 2023 SPU Annual Meeting.

The SFU takes great pride in electing a diverse executive leadership team (Figure 2) to represent our diverse membership. This is achieved by taking into consideration demographic and geographic diversity when selecting candidates for executive committee positions. We believe it is also important to be inclusive of a wide range of academic institutions without duplication. As such, SFU incorporated an open-call system of self-nomination for executive committee positions, requesting applications from interested members in good standing, supplemented with a statement of interest. This ensures equitable access to leadership positions, and allows those who may not immediately be recognized as a fetal/perinatal enthusiast to declare their expertise, clinical involvement, and aspirations for advancement of the field of perinatal urology to be considered for the position. This subsequently creates a pathway for additional opportunities to continue forging the field ahead, in Annual Meeting and Fall Congress SFU program conception and design as well as promoting personal leadership development through this service.

Figure 2. Society for Fetal Urology Executive Committee, Annual Meeting, 2023.

Lastly, the SFU recognized the need to adapt the SFU mission statement to emphasize and highlight the diverse and inclusive environment that fosters the exchange of ideas among specialists who care for these complex patients and their family units (Figure 3). In this update, SFU declares its firm commitment to a culture of respect for the diverse backgrounds and viewpoints of our members, staff, as well as our patient communities. Additionally, we support ongoing national and subspecialty conference programming that represents this diversity, and will strive to promote the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion amongst the entirety of the urologic communities that care for our patients and serve as our colleagues. This adapted mission statement was voted on and approved by active SFU membership. We look forward to a future of unparalleled commitment to our patients, colleagues, and collaborators that celebrates the diversity of our patients and our colleagues.

Figure 3. Society for Fetal Urology Mission Statement.