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S&Q Breakthru!
A Competition to Shape the Future of Quality in Urology
The S&Q Breakthru! Competition supports innovative ideas that address priority quality challenges in urology that can be implemented in a clinical setting. Ideas will reflect the National Urology Quality Agenda priorities, which emphasize practical strategies that enhance patient outcomes, promote equity, improve safety, advance diagnostic excellence, strengthen the value of care, support joy in work, and integrate quality across the specialty. AUA members, including residents, fellows, and early-career urologists, are invited to submit their innovative ideas on how to advance NUQA into the future. Selected attendees will, Shark Tank-style, pitch their ideas at the S&Q Summit at AUA Headquarters on November 13-14, 2026. The winner will receive $5,000 to implement their idea with the support of key AUA committee members and AUA staff experts.
Meet the Finalists
We’re excited to announce the five finalists in the 2026 S&Q Breakthru! Competition. Each finalist will take the stage to present their proposed idea during a live pitch session at the inaugural AUA Science & Quality Summit for a chance to win $5000. Join us to see these innovators pitch practical ideas that address priority quality challenges in urology and advance the National Urology Quality Agenda.
Emily Huang, MD
A Simulated Implementation Pilot of HomeScope, a Cystoscopic Imaging Platform for Decentralized Bladder Cancer Surveillance in Community Settings with Remote Urologist Interpretation
James Nie, MD, MBA
The Artificial Intelligence Safety Net: Using Large Language Models and Agentic Outreach to Reduce Loss-to-Follow-Up in Urologic Oncology
Katelyn Spencer, MD, MSc
The Cross-Institutional Autonomy in Robotic Training Study (CATS): Understanding Resident and Faculty Perceptions of Operative Time, Volume, Competency, and Confidence to Improve Quality of Care
Vitor René Machado, MD
Closing the Loop in High-Risk Microhematuria: An Automated Case-Finding and Navigation Protocol to Improve Equitable Diagnostic Evaluation
Karla Witzke, DO
MySurg2Surg: You Don’t Have to Go Through It Alone
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