It is with great pleasure that I write to salute and recognize Dr John Denstedt for his years of dedicated service as Secretary of our esteemed AUA organization. His term of office is indelibly marked by organizational “globalization,” diversification of the AUA’s publication activities including the new open access journal JU Open Plus, efforts to support diversity and inclusion, and creation of the Innovation Nexus. He is the first Canadian to hold the office of AUA Secretary, and he has worked tirelessly to promote research, education, and advocacy, and to successfully advance the mission and values of the AUA.

As a Caribbean immigrant and friend of the Caribbean Urological Association (CURA), I have witnessed firsthand Dr Denstedt’s unwavering support of global urological associations, and his ability to listen and be empathetic during annual meetings (“no one was invisible”) with the CURA leadership during the Annual AUA Meetings. His global commitment to urology is further exemplified by the Global and Humanitarian Section of the Annual Meeting program and the creation of 3 AUA Assistant Secretary positions to extend the reach and support of the AUA outside of North America.

Dr Denstedt recently invited the CURA organization to contribute an article for AUANews (November 2022) titled, “Advancing Urology in the Caribbean: The Caribbean Urological Association, the AUA, and Global Urology.” This briefly highlighted the history of CURA, urological education in the Caribbean, and the many collaborative educational and training activities between CURA, the University of the West Indies Medical School, and the AUA.

The AUA’s publication offerings have been amplified and expanded due in large part to Dr Denstedt’s vision, hard work, and commitment to serve the AUA membership. As Editor-in-Chief of AUANews, he has expanded its scope and publication frequency, and added 2 new journals to the AUA journal portfolio—Urology Practice^® and JU Open Plus (first issue January 2023). His work in this area is a testament to his support of open data/science, open access publishing, and the cascade publication platform within The Journal of Urology^® family in the rapidly evolving academic and scholarly publishing ecosystem.

As AUA Secretary and member of the Board of Directors, he has established a culture of innovation, creativity, and grounded practicality based on his sharp analytical and outstanding interpersonal skills. His sage wisdom and organizational vision have contributed to the creation of the Office of Chief Diversity Officer and establishment of the exciting Innovation Nexus program within the Office of Research.

I am humbled and honored to pen this brief appreciation of Dr Denstedt’s multiple and signal contributions during his tenure as AUA Secretary. His tireless efforts, leadership, and proactive philosophy have made a lasting impact on the AUA as well as the wider global urological community. His ability to constantly challenge himself, the AUA Board, and those around him have proven to be huge motivating factors that contributed to his successful tenure as AUA Secretary.

Thanks, John, for your invaluable contributions to the AUA and urology. Best wishes in your future endeavors within and beyond urology. Your AUA legacy is secure, indeed!