“2018 Urology Symposium: Update on Current Therapies and Treatment Options Impacting Healthcare Delivery for
urologic diseases, disorders and conditions affecting African American and other Minority Populations”
Representing the Scientific Section on Urology of National Medical Association (NMA), the goal of this program is to
increase the number of underrepresented minorities and women in academic Urology and to gear those who are in
urology residencies toward a career in academic medicine and research. Recognizing that a successful academic career
also requires mentorship and training, this application seeks to build upon our existing William C. Baker, Jr., M.D.
Residents and Fellows Forum to include professional development for junior faculty. This program will be done under the
auspices of the NMA, which is the oldest and largest organization representing African- American physicians and health
professionals. The William C. Baker, Jr., M.D. Residents and Fellows Forum was started over 50 years ago and was named
in honor of one of the founders of the NMA Urology Section. Early on the founders of the Urology Section understood the
need to provide a platform to encourage and support research activity among URMs during their residency training. Since
its inception over 400 urology residents have presented their research at the NMA Annual Meeting. Reflective of the
disease states encountered in the practice of urologic medicine, resident research presentations cover a multitude of
health disparities topics with a disproportionate effect on minority populations. The current program format will allow for
at least 10 residents to present scientific work. In addition to the Residents and Fellows Forum, the provisional program
includes a 4-day program highlighting cross-sectional issues related to increasing diversity within the specialty of urology
and addressing health disparities through research. Speakers will include representatives from NIH, Library of Medicine,
and NIH funded investigators in Urology. Residents will present their original research (nominees having been chosen
earlier in the year by the scientific committee). Abstracts are judged on the following characteristics: originality,
significance, study design, preparation/content, and audience appropriateness. Abstracts can cover any disease state that
is commonly encountered in the urology practice setting and should emphasize the latest developments in understanding,
diagnosing, preventing, and treating the many life-threatening diseases that affect minority patients and the general
population. The R13 grant covers travel and supports professional development programs for the Residents and Fellows
Forum participants while at the meeting. All participants receive speaker training, attend the diversity in Urology
workshop, and a seminar focused on grant opportunities and special programs available through the NIH. In an attempt
to get more URMs minority students interested in Urology, a pipeline program in the city where the NMA annual meeting
is held on a given year will support the attendance of medical students to give them exposure and pique their interest in
research and academic medicine.
