The Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the art and science of urology through basic and applied clinical research in urodynamics, neurourology, functional urology, and reconstructive pelvic surgery. It is the oldest professional organization dedicated to this field; consisting of interested physicians, basic scientists, and other health care professionals, it has grown to over 600 members. For many years SUFU leadership has been aware that certain urology residency programs provide limited educational experiences in our field of urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery (URPS). With this in mind, SUFU has developed and funded numerous educational opportunities for residents. These include the SUFU Resident Preceptorship Program, the Rodney Appell Traveling Preceptorship, the SUFU Visiting Professorship Program, and funding opportunities to attend our SUFU winter meeting. This article provides a summary of each of these opportunities. More information can be obtained by contacting the SUFU Executive Office at info@sufu.org.

SUFU Resident Preceptorship Program. This 3-day summer course in Chicago is designed especially for current urology residents in their PGY-3 year, and priority is given to residents from programs with limited URPS experience. The course can accommodate up to 60 residents, and all expenses for the program (including travel and lodging) are paid by SUFU. The agenda includes topic-oriented lectures, surgical videos, breakout sessions, and hands-on training sessions (urodynamics, bladder botulinum toxin injections, neuromodulation). In addition to the educational component, there are ample opportunities to network with other residents, course faculty, and SUFU leaders during the program and at social events. Starting in 2023, a parallel course for URPS fellows was offered, and this provides the opportunity for residents and current fellows to interact with each other as well. Previous attendees have cited this as one of the best educational experiences and a “must attend” for all urology residents. The 2024 course will be held on August 23-25, 2024, and applications are due by Friday, May 31, 2024.

Rodney Appell Traveling Preceptorship. Established in 2010, this program is named after Rodney Appell, a past president of SUFU and SUFU Lifetime Achievement Award winner who was known as an extraordinary teacher and mentor. The program funds urology residents from programs with limited URPS exposure to spend one week at the home institution of a prominent thought leader in the field. The resident observes surgeries, clinics, urodynamic procedures, and other clinical activities and also participates in social activities hosted by the preceptor and their team. After a brief COVID-related hiatus, this program resumed in 2023.

SUFU Visiting Professorship Program. This one-day visiting professorship offers interested urology residency programs the opportunity for an on-site lecture series provided by a member of the SUFU Executive Committee. All aspects of URPS can be covered, and the lecture content can be tailored based on the requests of the institution. The program is offered at no cost to the hosting institution.

SUFU Annual Winter Meeting. Registration is free for residents who attend the SUFU annual winter meeting. SUFU also provides $750 travel stipends for all residents who have an abstract selected for presentation. In addition, there are $1000 awards for the top 10 abstracts that are presented by residents. These awards are intended to offset costs associated with meeting attendance and are payable to the presenting resident’s institution after the meeting. On the first full day of the clinical program (Thursday), there are sessions specifically intended for residents, including a Resident/Fellow Breakfast, a Resident Didactic Teaching Session, and a Young Urology Mingle and Mixer cocktail reception (for SUFU members to interact with residents, fellows, and students). Please encourage your residents to submit abstracts for the 2025 meeting, which will be held February 25-March 1 at Westin Rancho Mirage in California.

In summary, SUFU has devoted considerable efforts and resources into developing educational programs related to URPS. However, we realize that there continues to be a need for more urology URPS clinicians. We would strongly encourage Urology Residency Program directors to establish clinical rotations in URPS early during residency training so that residents are exposed to the inpatient and outpatient aspects of the field. Residents frequently tell us that they are not exposed to URPS until their PGY-4 year or beyond, at which point they have already committed to a different subspecialty.