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DIVERSITY Equity and Diversity Within the Western Section AUA

By: Christopher J. Kane, MD, FACS, President, Western Section of the AUA, University of California San Diego | Posted on: 19 Apr 2024

The Western Section of the AUA (WSAUA) has long recognized the importance of diversity within our academic organization and has always been transparent and proactive in fostering an inclusive environment. The WSAUA organization at large relies on the 20 inclusive urologic teaching institutions to guide us in recruiting new faculty and residents to include in our meeting academic programming and leadership roles. Whether at program meetings or board meetings, it is of the highest importance to WSAUA leadership to include a wide spectrum of physician leaders from all teaching institutions, with specific attention to include women urologists and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Many women with the WSAUA serve in leadership roles, speak on the program, and serve on various committees representing a mix of all the Western Section urologic departments. Diversity, equity, and inclusion were prominent topics at our recent Western Section program meeting with representation from the diverse board of directors. As an example, the WSAUA has supported funding the Summer Medical Student Scholarship Program for Underrepresented Researchers. Women in urology have been a prominent part of culture of the Western Section (which includes several women within its elected leadership; Figure). Dr Eila Skinner was the 2021 Distinguished Member and Dr Kathleen Kobashi was the first female president of the WSAUA in 2021. Approximately 30% to 35% of our board and committee positions are held by women. For AUA awards, we emphasize diversity when encouraging members to nominate candidates. We are supportive of the steps the AUA is taking to address the current diversity challenges within urology both in terms of representation as well as addressing health disparities due to ethnicity and socioeconomic status. We will continue efforts to enhance diversity and include individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds in meetings and leadership roles and embrace policies that bridge health disparities.

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Figure. A small gathering of women members of the Western Section of the AUA at the Western Section meeting in Lake Tahoe, California, 2023.

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