Edward M. Messing, MD, FACS

President, 5/17/2022 – 5/1/2023

Edward M. Messing, MD is Professor of Urology and Oncology at the University of Rochester. Prior to this, he was the Winfield W. Scott Professor and Chairman of the Department of Urology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry from 1995–2018, and the Deputy Director of the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester from 1996-1998.

Dr. Messing received his degree from New York University in 1972, completed his surgery training at NYU-Bellevue Hospital in New York 1972-1974, and his Urology Residency at Stanford University 1974-1978. After 2 years on the faculty at Tulane University, he completed a fellowship in Urologic Oncology at UCLA in 1982. He was on the faculty of the Division of Urology at the University of Wisconsin from 1982-1995, serving as Director of their Urologic Oncology Program for the last 10 years of that period.

Dr. Messing is a renowned expert on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancers of the bladder, prostate, and kidney. He has conducted the largest screening study for bladder cancer in a general population and carries on extensive research in the basic biology of these cancers. He has been the principal investigator on numerous clinical studies for the detection, prevention and treatment of them several of which have changed the standard care for patients with these diseases.

Dr. Messing has been President of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) and AUA Northeastern Section. He received the AUA Ramon Guiteras Award in 2018, an AUA Presidential Citation in 2013, the SUO Medal in 2016, and the SUO Distinguished Service Award in 2020. He has been a member of the AUA since 1984.

Randall B. Meacham, MD

President-elect, 5/17/2022 – 5/1/2023

Randall B. Meacham, MD is Professor and Chief of the Division of Urology and Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine where he went on to complete his urology residency, as well as a fellowship in male reproductive medicine and surgery. He joined the faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1990 and has been Chief of the Division of Urology since 2001. Dr. Meacham's primary area of clinical and academic activity is the evaluation and treatment of male infertility, with a focus on microsurgical reconstruction. He is a nationally recognized specialist in urologic microsurgery and maintains a large referral practice in the management of male reproductive disorders.

Dr. Meacham has held leadership positions within the South Central Section including Secretary from 2006 - 2010 and President from 2011 - 2012. In addition, he is Past-President of both the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction and the Rocky Mountain Urological Society and has served as Medical Staff President and a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Colorado Hospital. Dr. Meacham has also served as Chair of the Urology Residency Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Dr. Meacham is an internationally recognized thought leader in male reproductive medicine and surgery. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 scientific publications and has served on multiple editorial boards. He received the American Urological Association Distinguished Service Award in 2019. Dr. Meacham has been a member of the AUA since 1995.

Raju Thomas, MD, FACS, FRCS, MHA

Immediate Past President, 5/17/2022 – 5/1/2023

Raju Thomas, MD is the Chair of the Department of Urology at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Professor of Urology and the Residency Program Director for the Department. Dr. Thomas obtained his medical degree from the University of Bombay, India in 1975 and graduated in 1982 from the Urology residency program at Tulane. He completed a fellowship program at the Tulane Primate Center co-sponsored by the American Urological Association and the National Kidney Foundation.

Dr. Thomas has the distinction of introducing urologic laparoscopy in 1991 and was the first surgeon to perform robotic surgery in the entire Gulf South in 2002. He also rescued and rebuilt the Department of Urology at Tulane University following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Dr. Thomas’ career highlights include Presidency of the AUA Southeastern Section and being recipient of the AUA Distinguished Service Award in 2016. He has been a member of the AUA since 1986.

John D. Denstedt, MD, FRCSC, FACS, FCAHS

Secretary, 5/7/2019 – 5/1/2023

John Denstedt, MD graduated from medical school in 1982 at The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada. He completed his residency in Urology at Western between 1983 and 1987 followed by a fellowship in Endourology at Washington University in St. Louis. He returned to London and joined the Division of Urology in the Department of Surgery at Western in 1990.

In July 2002 he assumed the role of City-Wide Chair and Chief of the Department of Surgery at Western University and served in this role for 14 years. Dr. Denstedt is a Past Chair of the Canadian Association of Surgical Chairs. He completed a 10-year term as Treasurer of the Endourological Society in 2018 and will serve as President of the Society in 2024.

While maintaining an active clinical practice, Dr. Denstedt is an internationally renowned scholar in urology with career accomplishments encompassing over 300 published papers and book chapters, more than 400 guest professorships in countries throughout the world and numerous honors and awards including being the first Canadian to have won the Gold Cystoscope Award from the AUA in 1998. In 2019, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Endourological Society. Dr. Denstedt has served on the Editorial Board of eight major journals in Urology and is the immediate past Executive Editor of the Journal of Endourology. He has been a member of the AUA since 1991.

David F. Penson, MD, MPH

Secretary-elect (non-voting), 5/17/2022 – 5/1/2023

David F. Penson, MD is the Hamilton and Howd Chair in Urologic Oncology, Director of the Center for Surgical Quality and Outcomes Research and Professor and Chair, Department of Urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He obtained his MD from Boston University and completed his urology residency at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. He then was awarded a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar fellowship at Yale University and also obtained an MPH at Yale. He currently maintains a clinical practice in urologic oncology at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. 

Dr. Penson’s specific research interests include the comparative effectiveness of treatment options in localized prostate cancer and the impact of the disease and its treatment on patients’ quality of life. He has received federal grant funding from the National Cancer Institute, the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. He previously chaired the National Institutes of Health’s Health Services Outcomes and Delivery (HSOD) study section, which reviews almost all health services research grant submitted to the NIH.

Dr. Penson served as AUA Public Policy Chair (2012-2016) and AUA Science & Quality Chair (2018-2022). He has been a member of the AUA since 1997.

Thomas F. Stringer, MD, FACS

Treasurer, 9/14/2021 – 5/5/2025

Thomas F. Stringer, MD is Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Urology at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville and also serves as Associate Chairman of Philanthropy and Alumni Affairs. Dr. Stringer received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He completed his residency in surgery and urology at the UF College of Medicine in 1980.

Dr. Stringer is Past-President the AUA Southeastern Section (2009 - 2010) and the Florida Urological Society (2006 - 2007). He served on the AUA's Finance, Bylaws and Investment Committees and was Chairman of the AUA Compensation Committee. He served as the Southeastern Section representative to the AUA Board of Directors (2014 – 2019). He is a past contributing author to the AUA's Core Curriculum and was co-author of “The Complete Business Guide for a Successful Medical Practice”. Dr. Stringer has served as Director for the AUA Annual Meeting course on Physician Contract Negotiation for Employment and Ownership since 2012. In June of 2016, Dr. Stringer was honored with the 2016 UF Department of Urology Resident Teaching Award. He was awarded the AUA's prestigious Presidential Citation in 2010. He writes and lectures nationally on the business of urology. He has been a member of the AUA since 1984.

Kurt A. McCammon, MD

Mid-Atlantic Section Representative, 5/19/2020 – 5/6/2024

Kurt McCammon, MD is the Devine Chair in Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery and Chairman and Professor of the Department of Urology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he also serves as Urology Residency Program Director and fellowship director of the adult and pediatric genitourinary reconstructive surgery program. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio, completed residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a two-year fellowship in genitourinary reconstructive surgery also at EVMS.

Dr. McCammon is a past president of the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons and is the past Chair of the Board of IVUmed. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Toledo in 2011 and the 2017 Christina Manthos Mentoring Award from the Society of Women in Urology. His clinical interests include female urology, pelvic reconstruction, urethral reconstruction, and male incontinence. He has been a member of the AUA since 1997.

Arthur Tarantino, MD

New England Section Representative, 9/14/2021 – 5/1/2023*

Arthur E. Tarantino, MD is a Senior urologist in the Hartford Healthcare Medical Group, Tallwood Urologic and Kidney Institute, Hartford Hospital. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He continues to serve on multiple committees at Hartford Hospital and was Vice President and then President of the Medical Staff from 2001-2005.

Dr. Tarantino received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his medical degree from Georgetown University. He completed his preliminary surgical training at the University of Rochester-Strong Memorial Hospital, and his urologic training at the Lahey Clinic in 1988.

Dr. Tarantino is a past president of the Connecticut State Urology Society. He was Treasurer and then President of the AUA New England Section. He has served on several AUA Committees including past Chair of the Practice Management and State Advocacy Committees.

A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. Tarantino has had a lifelong interest in Health Policy and Advocacy. He has been a member of the AUA since 1990.

Reza Ghavamian, MD

New York Section Representative, 5/19/2020 – 5/6/2024

Reza Ghavamian, MD is the Eastern Regional Director of Urology for Northwell Health in New York and Professor of Urology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra / Northwell. He is a Urologic Oncologist and also Chairman of Urology at Northwell's Huntington Hospital.

Dr. Ghavamian is a Past President of the AUA New York Section and a graduate of AUA’s leadership program. He has served on several AUA committees including New Technologies & Imaging Committee. An academic physician, he has been intricately involved in medical student, resident and fellow education throughout his academic career.

Dr. Ghavamian has authored and coauthored numerous original manuscripts, book chapters and has been a frequently invited speaker nationally and internationally. He has also edited two textbooks and two special issues in prominent urologic publications. He has been a member of the AUA since 1997.

James C. Ulchaker, MD

North Central Section Representative, 5/19/2020 – 5/6/2024

James C. Ulchaker, MD is the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Urology at the Cleveland Clinic, as has been on staff at the Urologic Oncology/Prostate Center for the past 22 years. Dr. Ulchaker graduated from Baldwin Wallace College, Case Western University School of Medicine, and completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation where he was awarded the Bruce H. Stewart award for being the top resident there.

The majority of Dr. Ulchaker’s research has been in the field of new technologies associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, tumor markers, and the socioeconomic implications of today’s healthcare environment. He is a Past President of the AUA North Central Section, the Cleveland Urological Society, and the Ohio Urological Society. Dr. Ulchaker served as chair of the AUA’s Young Urologists Committee and AUA Legislative Affairs Committee. He was also named the 2011 AUA Gallagher Health Policy Scholar and is the former Vice-Chair of UROPAC. He has been a member of the AUA since 1997.

Hassan Razvi, MD, FRCSC

Northeastern Section Representative, 9/14/2021 - 5/1/2023*

Hassan Razvi, MD, FRCSC is Professor in the Division of Urology, Department of Surgery at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. He most recently served as Chairman of the Division of Urology at Western from 2005-2019. He is also an Associate Scientist in the Clinical Research Division of the Lawson Health Research Institute.

Dr Razvi’s clinical and research interests include the metabolic and surgical aspects of urinary stone disease, and surgical device development. He has authored or co-authored 18 book chapters and published over 180 peer-review articles. He has held research grant support from the Canadian Kidney Foundation, the Canadian Urological Association Scholarship Foundation, the US National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Defense. He has been involved in several important and impactful Endourology-focused initiatives including two Société Internationale d'Urologie- International Consultation on Urologic Disease stone disease panels in 2008 and 2014 and the 2016 AUA-Endourology Society Surgical Management of Stones Guideline.

Dr. Razvi is a past president of the AUA Northeastern Section, current president of the Canadian Urological Association and board member of the Endourology Society. He has been a member of the AUA since 1998.

Damara Kaplan, MD, PhD

South Central Section Representative, 5/17/2022 – 5/6/2024*

Damara Kaplan, MD, PhD is an attending physician in the urology division of the New Mexico Cancer Center. After earning her PhD in Pharmaceutical Science with an emphasis in renal toxicology, Dr. Kaplan attended the University of New Mexico Medical School. She completed her urology residency in 2001 at the University of New Mexico. Upon graduation, she started a solo practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She then became one of the founding members of Albuquerque Urology Associates, the largest independent urology practice in New Mexico.

Dr. Kaplan is a Past President of the AUA South Central Section. She is a graduate of the 2011 AUA Leadership Program. Dr. Kaplan has served on numerous AUA committees, including By-laws committee, Medical Student Education committee, and History committee. She has been active in health policy and organized urology and is the current president of the American Association of Clinical Urologists. Dr. Kaplan has been involved with resident and medical student education and served as the site director of the residency program at Presbyterian Hospital for 13 years.  She has been a member of the AUA since 2003.

Martin K. Dineen, MD, FACS

Southeastern Section Representative, 5/7/2019 - 5/1/2023

Martin K. Dineen, MD works for the Advanced Urology Institute in Daytona Beach, Florida and received his medical degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Medicine in 1980 and completed his residency training in urology at LSU in 1985. He completed fellowship training in urologic oncology at Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, New York.

Dr. Dineen has been active both regionally and nationally. He is a past-President of the American Association of Clinical Urologists, Florida Urological Society and AUA’s Southeastern Section. He served for 17 years on the AUA Public Policy Council and for 15 years on the AUA Coding & Reimbursement Committee. In 2016, he was awarded the AUA Distinguished Service Award for over two decades of outstanding leadership in Health Policy as well as humanitarian service in Haiti to eliminate the scourge of urogenital elephantiasis. He has been a member of the AUA since 1990.

Eric Zeidman, MD, FACS

Western Section Representative, 5/7/2019 – 5/1/2023

Eric J. Zeidman, MD is an Assistant Professor in Urology and Neurology as well as a Consultant for the Department of Urology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He completed his residency in urology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the United States Army in Washington, DC and fellowship training at the University of California in Genitourinary Reconstruction, Female Urology, Urodynamics program in Los Angeles, California. His research interests include neurourology, voiding dysfunction, female urology, incontinence (male) and continence restoration. Dr. Zeidman has written over 34 articles and book chapters on male and female urologic dysfunction.

Dr. Zeidman has served the AUA’s Western Section as Chair of the Western Section Bylaws Committee as well as President and Treasurer of the AUA Western Section. He has served on AUA Committees as a member of the AUA Public Policy Council, Nominating Committee and Investment Committee. He is a member of the AUA Finance Committee and Chair of the Audit Subcommittee. Dr. Zeidman has been a member of the AUA since 1987.

Michael T. Sheppard, CPA, CAE

Chief Executive Officer

Mike Sheppard is a business professional with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience. As the Chief Executive Officer of the AUA, he is responsible for AUA's four corporate entities, including the Urology Care Foundation, AUA’s official foundation for urologic patient education and research. In over 25 years with the AUA, Mr. Sheppard has held several executive-level positions and has served as AUA's CEO since 2005.

Prior to joining the AUA, Mr. Sheppard served in senior-level business positions at USF&G Realty Advisors, Inc., as a real estate portfolio controller, and C.W. Amos and Company, LLC as a senior independent public auditor. In addition, he is a retiree of the U.S. Naval Reserves Service. He has numerous professional affiliations, including memberships with the American Society of Association Executives, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Greater Washington Society of Association Executives and Institute of Management Accountants Association. Mr. Sheppard received his MBA from Loyola College's Sellinger School. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Association Executive. Mr. Sheppard is the recipient of several awards, including many military honors. He has written a number of published articles and participates on several committees for medical-related organizations, including current President of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies and Board member of Verana Health.