The American Urological Association (AUA) announced today the list of 2018 award recipients who will be recognized at the Association's Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA this May. Marking its 55th anniversary this year, the ceremony in San Francisco will celebrate this year's honoree physician researchers and educators for their contributions to the field of medicine, the specialty of urology and the AUA.

The following awards will be presented:

Ramon Guiteras Award: The Ramon Guiteras Award is presented annually to an individual who is deemed to have made outstanding contributions to the art and science of urology. Edward M. Messing, MD will receive this award for over 35 years of outstanding contributions to the art and science of urology, specifically urologic oncology.

Hugh Hampton Young Award: The Hugh Hampton Young Award is presented annually to an individual for their outstanding contributions to the study of genitourinary tract disease. Francesco Montorsi, MD, will receive this year's award for seminal scientific contributions to the study of urologic oncology and andrology, as well as for mentorship and global leadership in academic urology.

Gold Cystoscope Award: The Gold Cystoscope Award is presented annually to a urologist distinguished by outstanding contributions to the profession within 10 years of completing residency training.

E. Jason Abel, MD, will receive this award for outstanding contributions as a physician-scientist in renal carcinoma research, clinical excellence and education.

Lifetime Achievement Award: The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to an individual who has been deemed to have made outstanding contributions to advance the mission and goals of the AUA. Pramod C. Sogani, MD, will receive this award for exemplary service and leadership as AUA President and for teaching and mentoring generations of urologists.

Robert C. Flanigan Education Award: The Robert C. Flanigan Education Award is given once every three years to an individual who has made exemplary contributions to the educational goals of the American Urological Association. Gary J. Faerber, MD will receive this award for years of tireless devotion to education and mentorship of residents and faculty, and vision in developing the AUA Residents Bowl.

Victor A. Politano Award: The Victor A. Politano Award is presented annually to an individual for outstanding research and work in the field of incontinence and for enhancing the treatment of incontinent patients, thereby helping to improve their quality of life. Timothy B, Boone, MD, PhD will receive this award for excellent clinical research and educational efforts in neurourology and neuroscience, including urodynamics, female pelvic medicine and spinal cord injury.

William P. Didusch Art and History Award: The William P. Didusch Art and History Award promotes and recognizes contributions to urological art, including, but not limited to, illustrations, sculpture, still photography, motion pictures and television productions. Erwin W. Rugendorff, MD, will receive this year's award for decades of support for the Didusch Center for Urologic History and outstanding writing on the history of medicine and philately.

Distinguished Contribution Award: The Distinguished Contribution Awards are presented annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the science and practice of urology, including, but not limited to, contributions made in a sub-specialty area, for military career service or for humanitarian efforts. The following individuals will be recognized with this award:

• Arthur L. Burnett II, MD, MBA, for outstanding contributions to the fields of prostate cancer, sexual medicine and urologic mentoring.
• Wayne J. G. Hellstrom, MD, for seminal contributions to andrology in the fields of sexual dysfunction and infertility as well as effective leadership and mentorship in academic urology.
• Louis R. Kavoussi, MD, for pioneering contributions to minimally invasive urologic surgery, telecommunication and education.

Distinguished Service Awards: The Distinguished Service Awards are presented annually to individuals for outstanding service in advancing to the goals of the American Urological Association. The following individuals will receive this award:

• J. Quentin Clemens, MD, for excellence in neurourology and pelvic reconstructive surgery as well as service as the Data Committee Chair in developing the AUA Quality Registry.
• Jeffrey E. Kaufman, MD, for decades of outstanding leadership and service to the Western Section and the AUA Board of Directors and contributions to the importance of Health Policy.
• Richard A. Memo, MD, for exemplary service and leadership as AUA Treasurer, and as the inaugural Chairperson of the Urology Care Foundation.

Gold-Headed Cane Award: The Gold-Headed Cane Award is presented to a senior urologist distinguished by outstanding contributions to the profession and to the AUA. George W. Kaplan, MD, is this year's award recipient for excellent work in the treatment of children with urologic diseases and mentorship in educating future pediatric urologists.

Presidential Citations: Presidential Citations are presented to individuals deemed to have significantly promoted the cause of urology. Each recipient is chosen by the AUA President. This honor will be bestowed upon the following individuals:

• Michael S. Cookson, MD, MMHC, for outstanding service in the development of the Oncology Knowledge Assessment Test and as chair of the Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Guideline.
• Gerald H. Jordan, MD, for decades of innovation in urologic reconstruction and fostering collaboration between the American Board of Urology and AUA.
• Jack W. McAninch, MD, for training and educating generations of urologists in trauma and reconstruction.
• Jessica McCullough, in recognition of 15 years of outstanding administrative service to urology and the AUA.
• Arturo Mendoza-Valdes, MD, in recognition of years of service to the Sociedad Mexicana de Urología and the AUA South Central Section.
• John W. Weigel, MD, for over 50 years of educating and mentoring generations of urologists in the military and the University of Kansas.

About the American Urological Association: 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 22,000 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.