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2025 AUA Data Research Program Recipients

Census Projects

Justin Han, MD

Co-Investigators: Javier Prieto, BS

Research Project Title: An Analysis of Mentorship and its Impact on Under-Represented in Medicine Urology Residents

Project Summary: This project aims to investigate the mentorship experience and demographic makeup of urology residents using AUA Census data. The results of 2022 AUA Residents/Fellows Census mentorship survey questions will be reported and analyzed to determine trainee satisfaction with mentorship during residency and to elucidate differences in mentorship quality amongst urology residents. Mentorship has been previously cited as an important factor for the future success of urology trainees. However, there is a dearth of data on urology residents’ perceptions regarding mentorship during their training and on the potential impact of mentorship programs, particularly for under-represented in urology residents. The percentage of residents receiving mentorship nationwide (assessing for geographic differences) and a breakdown of how many of these mentorship experiences were racially and gender-concordant (if possible) will be collected and reported. An analysis of potential variances and demographic disparities in mentorship experiences will also be performed and reported.

Sachindra N. Sanam Venkata, BA

Co-Investigators: Kevin Billups, MD; Clifford Pierre, MS; Jheanelle Atkinson, BS; Jheneal Atkinson, BS

Research Project Title: International Medical Graduates in the US Urological Workforce: Results from the AUA Census (2020-2022)

Project Summary: Sachindra Sanam Venkata, Jheneal Atkinson, Jheanelle Atkinson, Clifford Pierre, and Dr. Kevin Billups will use the AUA Census data to characterize urologists who are international medical graduates (IMG) through a descriptive comparison with US-graduate urologists. This can be accomplished by comparing several variables including work hours, practice settings, and patient load, among others, between these two groups. They hope to identify implications for workforce policy to address specialty care shortages and develop a nuanced perspective of the practice environment for all urologists. In pursuit of this objective, they hope to shed light on the unique characteristics and contributions of IMG urologists to the field of urology and to communities across the United States.

Courtney Yong, MD, MS

Co-Investigator: Chandru Sundaram, MD, MBA

Research Project Title: Understanding Trends in Fellowship Training and Sub specialization Among Urologists and Trainees

Project Summary: Given the impending shortage of workforce urologists, understanding the current urology workforce and identifying future needs is essential to best meet the demand for urologic care in the United States. While studies have quantified the imminent workforce shortage, there is no nationwide evaluation in trends in fellowship, sub specialization, or the geographic distribution of subspecialized urologists. This proposal aims to determine trends in trainees’ interest in and choice of subspecialty training and trends in the practice setting and geography of subspecialized and fellowship-trained urologists. Three specific aims will allow us to inform the object of this proposal. First, we will use AUA Census data to determine how the number and proportion of urologists pursuing fellowship and sub specialization has changed over time. Second, we will examine the AUA Census data to determine whether and how the interest in specific subspecialties has changed over time. Finally, we will use the AUA Census data to determine whether and how the distribution of fellowship-trained and subspecialized urologists in practice has changed over time. Ultimately, this project will identify areas of need in urologic training and the urology workforce, such as shortages in subspecialties and the national distribution of subspecialists. The results from this project will inform how we recruit and train urologists to best meet the demand for urologic and subspecialty urologic care.

AQUA Projects

Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH

Co-Investigators: Kelsey Gallo, MD; Melissa Kaufman, MD, PhD; Jennifer Anger, MD, MPH

Research Project Title: Advancing Women’s Health: Identifying Gaps in the Management of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Project Summary: Using the American Urological Association Quality (AQUA) Registry, Dr Enemchukwu aims to address gaps in our understanding of the utilization of vaginal estrogen (VE) by women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and improve care by quantifying VE utilization patterns, identifying provider-related factors associated with use, and identifying any disparities in treatment. This data will be instrumental in identifying opportunities for targeted interventions to improve VE utilization. The proposed research is significant because it will generate critical data needed to help inform emerging guidelines and improve care for a growing population of women with GSM, supporting efforts to address undertreatment, minimize barriers and optimize treatment strategies.

Muhieddine Labban, MD

Co-Investigators: Daniel Wollin, MD, MS; George Haleblian, MD

Research Project Title: Association Between Area Deprivation Index and Disparities in Acute Stone Treatment and Prevention: Findings from the AQUA Registry

Project Summary: Dr. Muhieddine Labban will use the AQUA Registry to understand the geographic intersectionality of patients’ social determinants of health, their built environment, and healthcare accessibility for stone disease. Specifically, we investigate the patient’s area deprivation index and acute stone intervention timing and method (medical and/or surgical). Given that stone burden is influenced by one’s geolocation and distribution of resources, we will evaluate and create heat maps representing the intersectionality of healthcare disparities in acute stone intervention accounting for patient-level area deprivation index, their race/ethnicity, type of facility where treatment was received, and larger-scale geographic stone risk. Furthermore, we will assess patterns of stone prevention medication prescription and how they relate to the patient’s location and their social determinants of health. We believe that our findings may inform targeted interventions and resource allocation to improve access to stone treatment and prevention for underserved populations.

Yahir Santiago – Lastra, MD

Co-Investigators: Kshitij Pandit, MD

Research Project Title: Disparities in Male Stress Urinary Incontinence: Do Area Deprivation Index and Insurance Status Play a Role?

Project Summary: Our project aims to investigate disparities in male stress urinary incontinence care, focusing on how socioeconomic factors, including Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Insurance status, impact access to timely treatment and retreatment patterns. Using data from the AQUA registry, we will analyze geographic and socioeconomic variables, such as zip codes and ADI, to create heatmaps identifying underserved regions. Our findings would aim to inform targeted interventions and policies to improve equitable care for disadvantaged populations.