San Diego, CA, May, 9, 2016-The Urology Care Foundation, the official foundation of the American Urological Association (AUA), announces Harris M. Nagler, MD, FACS, Sanford J. Siegel, MD, FACS, and Raju Thomas, MD, FACS, MHA, will join the Urology Care Foundation Board of Directors (BOD), effective July 1, 2016. Foundation BOD member, Martin Dineen, MD, FACS, who has been a member of the BOD since its inception, has completed his term and will be stepping down.

The Urology Care Foundation, the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation, strives to improve patients' lives and advance urologic research and education through its work with patients, caregivers, family providers, researchers, other health care professionals and the general public. The Foundation's new board members were approved by the AUA at the most recent board meeting on May 5, 2016. The board's new governance structure includes two public directors, four AUA member urologists, the AUA's treasurer and a chair.

"This accomplished group of urologists reflect the AUA and Urology Care Foundation's continued commitment to advancing urologic research and education to improve patients' lives," said Dr. Richard A. Memo, Urology Care Foundation chair. "Their experience and proven leadership, coupled with the significant contributions from Dr. Dineen, will further serve the Foundation in educating patients and funding answers."

Harris M. Nagler, MD, FACS: Dr. Nagler is Chair Emeritus of the Sol and Margaret Berger Department of Urology. He is also a professor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Nagler previously served as president of Beth Israel Medical Center, in addition to having been the Chair of Urology from 1989-2015. Dr Nagler's clinical practice focuses on male infertility, erectile dysfunction and general urology.

Dr. Nagler is the recipient of many national and regional honors, including being recognized multiple times in New York Magazine's Best Doctors and Best Doctor's in America listings, as well as the New York Times Super Doctors listing. Additionally, he has been named as one of the Best Doctors in the United States by the U.S. News &amp, World Report and as one of Becker's 130 nonprofit hospital leaders to know, as well as one of the 300 hospital and health systems' leaders to know.

An AUA member since 1985, Dr. Nagler served as chair of the Judicial and Ethics Committee, as well as a member of the AUA By-Laws Committee. Additionally, he served as board member and treasurer of the New York Section of the AUA. He has been recognized by the AUA with the Distinguished Service Award as well as with many community service awards, including the Union Square Partnerships award for Community Service.

Sanford J. Siegel, MD, FACS: Dr. Siegel has been in private practice in the Baltimore, MD area for more than 30 years. He currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Chesapeake Urology, one of the country's most prominent urology practices, and largest in the Mid-Atlantic region.

He is a recognized leader in the Baltimore and Maryland communities and has been honored by the State of Maryland with a Governor's Citation, two Maryland General Assembly Citations and by the City of Baltimore for his outstanding commitment to improving the health of minorities, his dedication to the betterment of the community and for his outstanding leadership and significant contributions in the field of medicine. The Baltimore Sun Media Group also awarded Dr. Siegel with its Top Leadership award in 2015.

In 2006, Dr. Siegel initiated the Chesapeake Urology Associates Scholarship Fund, in conjunction with the Central Scholarship Bureau. He also established the Chesapeake Urology Associates/Urology Care Foundation Research Scholar program to fund prostate cancer research. In 2007, he led the formation of the ZERO Prostate Cancer Challenge&reg, (ZPCC), now in 36 cities, to raise funds for prostate cancer research and awareness and to provide prostate cancer screenings to those in need. Dr. Siegel is a founding member of the Large Urology Group Practice Association, which was formed in 2008. He served as a member of their board of directors and chair of both the Government Affairs and Advocacy committees from 2008 through October 2014. Dr. Siegel also served on the board of directors for ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer and currently is a board member of the Park Heights Community Health Alliance.

Raju Thomas, MD, FACS, MHA: Dr. Thomas is chair of urology at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, LA. He is also professor of urology and the residency program director. Dr. Thomas obtained his medical degree from the University of Bombay, India and subsequently graduated from the urology residency program at Tulane University. He completed a fellowship program at the Tulane Primate Center co-sponsored by the AUA and the National Kidney Foundation. His primary interests are in minimally invasive urologic surgery, including laparoscopy, robotic surgery, and endourologic procedures. He has pioneered several innovative endoscopic and surgical procedures and developed the principles for their use.

His career has been dedicated to finding minimally invasive therapy alternatives to urologic surgery. As such, his experience has earned him a place in advanced continuing medical education programs around the United States and the world. Dr. Thomas has authored more than 150 scientific articles, abstracts, and book chapters. He is a member of several national and international scientific societies and is a peer reviewer for several urologic journals.

Dr. Thomas' career highlights include presidency of the Southeastern Section of the AUA and the 31st World Congress of Endourology, but, above all, his rescuing and rebuilding the Department of Urology at Tulane University following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 counts as his greatest personal achievement.

About the American Urological Association: The 111th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association takes place May 6-10, 2016 at the San Diego Convention Center in California.

Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 21,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.

Contact:
Christine Frey, AUA
410-689-3789
cfrey@AUAnet.org