Spotlight on Urology

Spotlight on Urology takes a look at recent activities undertaken to advance urology around the world. This week, we share reports from USANZ representatives at the AOA Emerging Leaders Forum and AUA Residents Bowl, as well as celebrating Peter Gilling's appointment as a visiting Professor.
 

AOA Emerging Leaders Forum

The Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Emerging Leaders Forum was held in Sydney last week, providing an opportunity for younger fellows with leadership aspirations to join other fellows from a variety of disciplines. The USANZ representatives at the Forum were Wenjie Zhong and Marnique Basto.

Marnique sent the following report about her experiences at the Forum:

It was a privilege to represent USANZ at this year's AOA Emerging Leaders Forum, joining colleagues from specialty colleges across Australia for an inspiring few days of leadership development.

The program challenged us to think differently about leadership—how we communicate, navigate complexity, support our teams and lead through change. While the practical frameworks and leadership tools were invaluable, what stood out most was the openness and authenticity of the speakers, who shared their own successes, setbacks and lessons with remarkable generosity. The inclusion of wellness sessions was also a welcome reminder that effective leadership starts with looking after ourselves.

One of the highlights was the opportunity to hear from and engage with outstanding leaders including Professor Ian Incoll (Convenor and Past President, AOA), Mark Moroney (President, AOA), Andrew Wines AM (Vice-President, AOA), Professor Omar Khorshid (Past AMA President and Orthopaedic Surgeon), Dr Kate Stannage and many more. Each bringing a unique perspective on leadership within medicine.

It was also a pleasure to attend alongside fellow USANZ representative Dr Wenjie Zhong. A memorable moment from the forum was the Great Debate, where Wenjie bravely defended the proposition that "leaders are born, not made"—no easy task in a room full of people attending a leadership course! He did so with conviction, humour and good spirit.

I am grateful to Professor Ian Incoll, Adrian Cosenza and the entire AOA team for creating such a thoughtful and engaging program. The opportunity to build connections across specialties and learn from leaders both within and beyond urology was invaluable, and I hope to see USANZ continue supporting future participants in this outstanding initiative.

AUA Residents Bowl

At the recent American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, USANZ Trainee Bishoy Hanna (Advanced 2 Trainee, NSW) represented USANZ in the Residents Bowl. This team competition allows urology residents to test their knowledge of different subspecialties, the history of urology and important new research findings.

Bishoy supplied the following report on his experiences:

The experience was exceptionally rewarding, both professionally and personally. The meeting provided a unique opportunity to engage with leading urologists from around the world, exchange ideas, and gain insights into emerging innovations that will undoubtedly influence the future of our specialty. Representing USANZ on an international stage was a privilege and reinforced the strength and reputation of Australasian urology within the global community.

Beyond the competition itself, the meeting facilitated meaningful collaboration and networking opportunities. I was able to engage with colleagues from across North America and internationally, helping to strengthen relationships and foster ongoing dialogue between the AUA and USANZ. These interactions highlighted the value of continued collaboration between our organisations in advancing education, research, innovation, and trainee development.

During my visit, I also interviewed with ten fellowship centres across the United States and had the opportunity to visit the Cleveland Clinic, allowing me to further explore opportunities for advanced robotic, oncological, and transplant training. These discussions not only contribute to my own professional development but also create opportunities to build enduring connections between international centres of excellence and the Australasian urological community.

A special thank you to A/Prof Bill Lynch and the Australasian Urological Foundation for their generous financial support, which made this opportunity possible. The Foundation's commitment to supporting trainee development and international engagement is invaluable and has a direct impact on the growth of future leaders within our specialty.

See below for several photographs from the meeting, including the Residents Bowl competition, educational sessions, networking events, and my visit to Cleveland Clinic. These images capture the breadth of experiences and opportunities that arose from this trip and reflect the strong international presence and engagement of Australasian urology.

As I continue my training and future fellowship pursuits in the United States, I will endeavour to use my platform to further strengthen collaborative ties between USANZ and international centres. I hope to contribute to the continued growth and development of our profession by fostering educational, research, and clinical partnerships that benefit the urological community both locally and globally.

Thank you again for your confidence, support, and investment in my development. It was an honour to represent USANZ, and I look forward to sharing the knowledge, connections, and experiences gained with colleagues across our region.

Thank you Bishoy for this fantastic report of your time with AUA and your representation of USANZ at the Residents Bowl!
 

Visiting Professorship

USANZ Member Peter Gilling recently travelled to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona as the invited Visiting Professor for the Donald and Marcia Pellar Endowed Lecture Series. His lecture was part of an evening celebrating excellence in Urology.

Congratulations Peter on this prestigious appointment!

 

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