Marisa Clifton, MD, FACS

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Mid-Atlantic Section

Dr. Marisa Clifton has demonstrated exceptional leadership and sustained commitment to the professional development of medical students, residents, and early-career urologists at the institutional, sectional, and national levels. She is an Associate Professor and Chief Medical Officer at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and previously served as the Urology Residency Program Director, reflecting her longstanding dedication to education and mentorship. At the national level, Dr. Clifton currently serves as Chair of the AUA Medical Student Committee and previously chaired the MA-AUA Young Urologists Committee for three years. She originated the Section’s annual Young Urologists Networking Event and introduced innovative strategies to increase engagement among early-career colleagues. Dr. Clifton remains deeply involved in the MA-AUA as Secretary and continues to contribute meaningfully to student and resident training initiatives across multiple facets of urology.

Matthew Mossanen, MD, MPH

Brigham and Women's Hospital

New England Section

Dr. Mossanen is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles, CA and received his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He also holds a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA. Dr. Mossanen completed a residency in Urology from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA followed by a fellowship in Urologic Oncology in the Combined Harvard Urologic Oncology Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Mossanen has been board certified by the American Board of Urology since 2020.

Andrew Winer, MD, FACS

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences

New York Section

Dr. Andrew Winer is highly deserving of recognition as the 2026 NY Section Young Urologist of the Year for his exceptional contributions to education, leadership, and public service. Since joining SUNY Downstate in 2016 as Associate Program Director and later serving as Residency Program Director, Dr. Winer has demonstrated a sustained and extraordinary commitment to medical student and resident mentorship, guiding dozens of trainees who have gone on to successful urology careers nationwide. He is widely recognized as one of the most impactful residency mentors in New York City, reflecting both the breadth and quality of his educational influence. As Program Director, Dr. Winer provided steady, thoughtful leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic and during major institutional transitions within the SUNY and NYC Health + Hospitals systems, ensuring continued excellence in resident training despite significant operational challenges. Beyond his home institution, he has been a dedicated leader in regional education through his longstanding involvement with the EMPIRE Urology Program and Intern Boot Camp, including directing the 2024 and 2025 workshops. In parallel with his academic and educational leadership, Dr. Winer’s clinical work within the NYC public health system exemplifies compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving underserved patient populations. His combined impact as an educator, leader, and public servant reflects the highest ideals of the urology profession and makes him an outstanding recipient of this honor.

Kevin Koo, MD, MPH, MPhil

Mayo Clinic

North Central Section

As Chair of the NCS Health Policy Council, Dr. Koo has transformed the Section’s approach to young urologist engagement. He launched the first NCS Health Policy Essay Contest, expanded funding to support young urologist participation at the AUA Summit, and achieved record attendance for two consecutive years. He also increased young urologist representation on the Council to 33%, ensuring meaningful inclusion in policy discussions and decision-making. His efforts to spotlight young urologists’ advocacy experiences on the NCS website further strengthened the culture of engagement within the Section. As Chair of the NCS Public Policy & Practice Management Program, Dr. Koo has prioritized speaker inclusivity and relevance. Under his leadership, the program has featured young urologists, women, urologists of color, and community-based practitioners, while addressing topics central to early-career practice, private equity, telehealth, restrictive covenants, coding, ethics, and cost-effectiveness. These efforts have created a program that reflects the realities and diversity of the field. Dr. Koo’s national contributions are equally significant. As Chair of the AUA Policy and Advocacy Recruitment Workgroup, he founded AUA’s first initiative dedicated to expanding advocacy opportunities for young urologists. The group has since grown to more than 80 active members and continues year-round activities based on the structure he developed. His additional AUA leadership includes roles on the Federal Advocacy, Data, and State Advocacy Committees, the AUA PAC Board of Directors, and multiple editorial and curriculum positions. He has also served as faculty for major AUA educational courses and participates in the AUA Leadership Program and Data Research Program. Dr. Koo is also a national voice in physician well-being. He led the first national study of urology resident burnout and has conducted multiple follow-up efforts examining longitudinal trends and the effect of interventions. His work continues to inform institutional and national strategies to support trainee wellness. Perhaps most notably, Dr. Koo’s mentorship has led directly to the success of numerous young urologists. His mentees have received NCS awards, joined key AUA committees, earned recognition for scholarly work, and assumed leadership roles, including positions on the AUA PAC Board of Directors and AUA Core Curriculum. He also piloted the AUA FUTURE in Endourology mentorship program, creating valuable opportunities for underrepresented trainees. Dr. Koo’s leadership, advocacy, scholarship, and mentorship have had a measurable, lasting impact on young urologists throughout the NCS and the AUA. He embodies the future-oriented, service-driven spirit of this award.

Christopher Wallis, MD, PhD

Mount Sinai Hospital

Northeastern Section

Dr. Christopher Wallis quickly established himself as a respected clinician-scientist and contributor to the field of urology. Since beginning his independent academic appointment in 2021, he has demonstrated strong productivity and leadership in both research and mentorship. Dr. Wallis completed his urology residency and PhD in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services Research at the University of Toronto, followed by a Society of Urologic Oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt University. His research record is notable for an early-career investigator: over 270 peer-reviewed publications, an H-index of 44, and more than 8,600 citations. He has served as first author on 66 papers and senior author on 50, reflecting his growing role in guiding research teams. His work, published in leading journals, addresses important questions in cancer care, equity, and treatment outcomes, contributing to evidence that informs clinical practice. His efforts have been recognized through several awards, including IHPME’s Claire Bombardier Award for Excellence in Clinical Epidemiology (2017), the Department of Surgery’s Shafie S. Fazel Outstanding Resident Surgeon and Investigator Award (2019), the George Armstrong-Peters Prize for early-career productivity (2024), and the AUA Early Career Investigator Showcase Certificate of Award (2025). These honors underscore his commitment to advancing urologic research and patient care. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Wallis is dedicated to mentorship. He has supported medical students, residents, and fellows in producing high-quality research and securing competitive scholarships. His guidance extends to young urologists across the Northeast Section, assisting with the implementation of robotic surgery programs and advanced procedures. He also serves as a formal career mentor for new faculty at the University of Toronto. Through his clinical work, research contributions, and commitment to training future leaders, Dr. Wallis has made a meaningful impact on the urology community. His trajectory reflects both excellence and a collaborative approach that benefits patients, colleagues, and the profession.

Justin Gregg, MD

MD Anderson Cancer Center

South Central Section

As an Associate Professor of Urology and Health Disparities Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Gregg has combined clinical excellence with innovative research to address critical gaps in prostate cancer detection, diagnosis, and management, including among medically underserved populations. Clinically, Dr. Gregg has expanded access to subspecialized urologic oncology care at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, a county safety-net facility serving vulnerable communities. His leadership in introducing advanced biopsy and surgical techniques has elevated the standard of care for patients who previously had limited options. Notably, he spearheaded the successful acquisition of a DaVinci robotic system at LBJ and remains the only surgeon performing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in the county system. This initiative reflects his commitment to equity in cancer care and his ability to translate vision into tangible impact. Dr. Gregg’s is the recipient of a prestigious NIH/NCI K08 award for his work on behavioral interventions and prostate cancer biomarkers in underserved populations, as well as a Department of Defense Early Career Investigator grant investigating blood-based biomarkers of biopsy upgrading during active surveillance. His groundbreaking discovery and validation of a sphingolipid-based signature associated with disease progression, published in Nature Communications and Biomarker Research, exemplify his capacity for high-impact science. Additionally, his studies on behavioral factors, such as dietary components, and their influence on prostate cancer progression have appeared in leading journals including Cancer, Journal of Urology, European Urology Oncology, and British Journal of Cancer. Beyond research and clinical care, Dr. Gregg has demonstrated exceptional leadership and mentorship. He directs the APP Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Clinic at MD Anderson and holds an adjunct appointment with the UT Houston Residency Program, where he leads the resident research curriculum. His dedication to education earned him the 2023 Resident Teaching Award. Furthermore, his service as a reviewer for multiple high-impact journals, including recognition as Best Reviewer by the Journal of Urology in 2023, underscores his commitment to advancing the field. His role on the AUA Research Council committee further reflects his influence at the national level. In summary, Dr. Justin Gregg’s early career achievements embody excellence in clinical innovation, research productivity, and educational leadership. His work has already improved access to cutting-edge care for underserved patients, generated seminal discoveries in prostate cancer biology, and inspired the next generation of urologic oncologists. Dr. Gregg is a rising leader whose trajectory promises continued transformative impact on patient outcomes and the field of urologic oncology.

Amy Luckenbaugh, MD, FACS

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Southeastern Section

Dr. Amy N. Luckenbaugh exemplifies the ideal blend of clinical excellence, academic productivity, and service-oriented leadership that defines the best of our early-career colleagues. Her record demonstrates remarkable impact on our specialty, regionally, nationally, and internationally. After finishing fellowship training in urologic oncology at Vanderbilt, Dr. Luckenbaugh now serves as Assistant Professor of Urology and Perioperative Medical Director for Urology. She combines technical mastery with compassionate care, earning both the VUMC Excellence in Patient Experience Award and Patient and Family Choice Award nominations. Clinically, she has advanced bladder-cancer management through innovative intravesical and device-based trials as principal investigator on seven national studies, including TAR-200, EG-70, and CG0070. Dr. Luckenbaugh’s scholarly productivity is impressive at this stage of her career. She is an author on more than 65 peer-reviewed publications, contributes to Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology (13th ed.), and serves as Associate Editor for Clinical Genitourinary Cancer. Her research spans quality improvement, gender equity, and surgical outcomes, consistently bridging science with clinical implementation. Her editorial commentaries and invited talks, including at AUA, SUO, SWIU, and international meetings, demonstrate both thought leadership and accessibility. Equally impressive is her commitment to mentorship and education. She devotes extensive time to resident instruction and evaluation and has mentored more than ten trainees now holding academic positions nationwide. Her leadership as Quality and Patient Safety Director and Program Chair of the Vanderbilt Urology Society Rhamy Shelley Meeting highlights her ability to strengthen systems while nurturing collegial culture. Nationally, Dr. Luckenbaugh’s service is exemplary. She has served on multiple AUA Guidelines panels (Early Detection of Prostate Cancer 2022; Salvage Therapy 2024), is a frequent abstract reviewer for AUA and SESAUA, and currently leads as President of the Society of Women in Urology, having advanced through every executive role in just five years. Her leadership has expanded young-member engagement, mentoring infrastructure, and inclusivity initiatives that now reach hundreds of early-career urologists. Dr. Luckenbaugh embodies the AUA mission, excellence in patient care, education, and advocacy. She leads with empathy, energizes colleagues, and consistently invests in the next generation.

Jonathan Bergman, MD, MPH

UCLA Health

Western Section

Dr. Bergman exemplifies the qualities of innovation, mentorship, and service that define this honor. He is 13 years out of residency and a candidate for this award as he completed a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars fellowship after graduation from residency. As Associate Program Director of the UCLA Urology Residency, Dr. Bergman has transformed the educational environment through creative leadership. Recognizing the challenges of overnight call and its impact on resident fatigue, he implemented a Virtual Program - an innovative model that allows single resident to serve as command center for multiple sites, offloading low value calls and pages and only having to "active" their colleagues when in person evaluation or intervention is needed. This has significantly reduced the call burden on trainees while maintaining excellent patient care. This initiative was modeled on the Kaiser program which has previously been health policy section winning presentation in years past. Dr. Bergman’s commitment to academic growth extends beyond UCLA. Within the Western Section of the AUA, he has been a consistent and valued contributor, serving as session moderator, abstract reviewer, and member of the essay committee, while helping to shape educational programming that supports residents and early-career urologists. His thoughtful approach and dedication to fostering intellectual curiosity have made him a trusted mentor and collaborator throughout the region. As the holder of the Mark S. Litwin, MD Endowed Chair in Mentorship, Dr. Bergman has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to guiding the next generation of urologists. His mentees frequently cite his humility, accessibility, and commitment to their personal and professional growth as defining influences in their careers. Through innovation, mentorship, and service, Dr. Bergman has made a lasting impact on urological education and the professional development of young urologists. He is richly deserving of recognition as the AUA Young Urologist of the Year nominee and certainly has set an example to be the representative from the Western section.

LTC Ronald “RJ” Caras, DO

Uniformed Services University

Society of Government Service Urologists

LTC Ronald “RJ” Caras, DO, is an endourologist and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University, stationed at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. He currently serves as Program Director for the Madigan Urology Residency, where he oversees resident education, research initiatives, and simulation-based surgical training. He has previously served as Chief of the Department of Urology at Madigan Army Medical Center.

LTC Caras completed his urology residency training at Tripler Army Medical Center and subsequently served as a general urologist at both William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, and Madigan Army Medical Center prior to pursuing fellowship training. He completed advanced fellowship training in endourology at Indiana University, after which he returned to the Military Health System.

Upon his return, LTC Caras established the first Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) program within the U.S. Army, significantly expanding access to advanced minimally invasive surgical care for service members and beneficiaries. He has led modernization efforts within urologic surgery at Madigan by securing critical capital equipment for the endourology suite, including advanced nephroscopes and resectoscopes, laser technologies, and morcellation systems, enabling the expansion of complex endourologic procedures.   He has also held leadership roles within the Pacific Northwest Urologic Resident Collaborative, supporting multi-institutional research efforts and regional academic meeting planning.  Through sustained clinical innovation, educational leadership, and academic collaboration, LTC Caras has made a significant and lasting impact on military urology early in his career.