Robert C. Flanigan, MD, FACS, Immediate Past President of the American Urological Association, presented “Urologic Research: Why It Is So Important to Us​” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in September, 2019.

How to cite: Flanigan, Robert C. “Urologic Research: Why It Is So Important to Us” September, 2019. Accessed Dec 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/urologic-research-why-it-is-so-important-to-us/

Urologic Research: Why It Is So Important to Us – Summary:

Robert C. Flanigan, MD, FACS, presents his presidential address from the American Urological Association’s (AUAs) 2019 Annual Meeting to the Grand Rounds in Urology audience, covering the history of the AUA and its mission and their fundamental principles for improving the field of urology. He then provides the 10-step plan for research success based on details from his professional journey that exemplify the pathway to success.

Abstract:

Since its founding in 1902, the AUA has been the leading advocate for the specialty of urology. The society has influenced urologic care far beyond the Americas. Its mission is to promote the highest standards of urologic clinical care through education, research, and the formulation of health policy. The society educates through its Core Curriculum and AUA University and employs efforts in health policy through its Global Philanthropic Committee.
While there are limited sources of funding for urologic research from federal, state, other society, foundation, or industry sources, the joint efforts of the AUA and the Urology Care Foundation (UCF) help to sustain gaps in research funding and meet the needs of future generations of patients and their families. The UCF has granted over 750 scholarships and awards over the past 40 years, totaling nearly $30 million, $1.5 million of which was awarded last year.

As well as overviewing the past and present of the AUA, this presentation focuses on the theme of research. Using examples from his professional experience, Dr. Flanigan provides the following steps for success in urologic research:

1) Find people and places that can enable opportunities for your
2) Identify professional role models to emulate
3) Always look for research questions through clinical observations
4) Embrace clinical research opportunities
5) Find and sustain basic research collaborations with other investigators
6) Learn how to write successful grants
7) Be persistent and focused in obtaining grants, finding mechanisms to amass data, and strengthening the project team
8) Build and sustain multidisciplinary research teams that span diseases and conditions
9) Educate and mentor others about research, and establish an educational plan
10) Surround yourselves with excellence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Robert C. Flanigan, MD, FACS, serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Urology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He was awarded the Stritch Medal of Loyola University Chicago, the most prestigious recognition given to a Loyola faculty member, in 2006. Dr. Flanigan has contributed to more than 350 publications and has served in many medical societies. He has served as the president of 6 groups, including the American Board of Urology, the North Central Section of the American Urological Association, the Society of Urologic Oncology, the Society of Pelvic Surgeons, and the Society of University Urologists. Dr. Flanigan founded the Society of Urologic Chairpersons and Program Directors and served as its first president. In addition, he was the Secretary of the American Urological Association from 2006 to 2011. In 2014, Dr. Flanigan was named in the “Legends of Urology” series published by the Canadian Journal of Urology.