Innovation in Urology: Robotics Telesurgery

In this episode of AUANews InsideTract, Medical Student Esther Chung sits down with Dr. Mihir Shah from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University to explore the evolving role of robotics and telesurgery in urology. They discuss the challenges and barriers to implementing these technologies in the United States, as well as their potential impact on the future of urologic training and surgical education. 

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety   In this episode, Dr. Tudor Borza joins Dr. Andrew Harris, chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, to discuss the work of the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) to increase the adoption of active surveillance for men with favorable-risk prostate cancer. This episode explores what led MUSIC to prioritize active surveillance, how adoption rates have changed over time and compare with national trends, the physician-led quality improvement strategies that have supported this progress, and how measurement and feedback help participating practices identify opportunities for continued improvement.

Women's representation in urology continues to grow, but recruitment is only part of the story. Drs. Maheetha Barathwaj, Jaime Cavallo, Angie Smith, and Cheryl Lee examine findings from the 2025 AUA Census and share perspectives from different career stages. They discuss mentorship, leadership, retention, work-life integration, and the opportunities and barriers shaping the future of women in urology.

We are pleased to announce that Dr Stephen Nakada, AUA Past President (2024-2025), has joined the AUANews editorial board as the new Associate Editor for Leadership and Business. He will be leading a new series on leadership within the AUA. The third installment features a conversation between Dr Nakada and two recent Leadership Program graduates, Dr. Una Lee and Dr. Kevin Koo.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, medical student David Stack speaks with Dr. Brock O'Neil from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah about the growing role of AI in medicine. They discuss the challenges and questions this new technology is bringing up in the field of urology. 

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety In this episode, Dr. Tariq Chaudry joins Dr. Andrew Harris, chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, to discuss the University of Kentucky's journey to becoming a high-reliability organization (HRO), where safety, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and learning come together to minimize risk and reduce harm. This episode explores what sparked UK's HRO commitment, how teams turned principles into action, the lessons and changes that made the greatest impact, and practical first steps any organization can take to begin its own journey.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, host Dr. Avani Desai speaks with Dr. Daniel Frendl about the coverage gaps in prostate cancer screening in the United States and how the PSA Screening for HIM act hopes to help solve the problem. They touch on the role of urologists in advocacy and how the Act will change prostate cancer screening for both urologists and their patients. 

In this episode of the AUANews Inside Tract Global Perspectives series, host Jose Karam, MD, speaks with French urologists Gaëlle Margue, MD, and Denis Séguier, MD, about their AUA-supported observerships at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Yale. They compare urologic care in France and the United States, exploring clinical workflows, multidisciplinary collaboration, research integration, access to resources, and patient care.

AI-powered scribes are increasingly available to urologists, but access, adoption, and satisfaction tell different stories. Using findings from the 2025 AUA Census, host Daniel Lee, MD, speaks with Kenneth Nepple, MD, and Giovanni Cacciamani, MD, about the real-world promise and limitations of AI-assisted documentation. They examine workflow integration, time savings, accuracy, clinician oversight, data governance, and privacy—plus what urologists should consider before bringing these tools into practice.

What's it really like to transition into urology from another specialty? In this episode, Brandon Sterling sits down with fellow APP Maggie O'Block to discuss their personal journeys into urology and the lessons they learned along the way. Drawing from their own experiences, Brandon and Maggie share practical tips for navigating the learning curve, building confidence in a new specialty, finding mentorship, and adapting to the unique challenges and opportunities of urologic practice. Whether you're considering a move into urology or are just getting started in the field, this candid conversation offers valuable insights, encouragement, and advice to help make your transition a successful one.