Society of Women in Urologic Oncology Elects Inaugural Chair

By: Lauren Velentzas
Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The Society of Women in Urologic Oncology (WUO), a group within the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) whose goal is the advancement of women in urologic oncology, has named Amy Luckenbaugh, MD, to chair its Executive Board until November 2025. Dr. Luckenbaugh is Assistant Professor of Urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, and the inaugural Chair of the WUO.

“I am incredibly honored to have been elected as Chair of the Women in Urologic Oncology Executive Committee,” Dr. Luckenbaugh said. “We have made tremendous progress in the field, with a 10% increase in female fellowship applicants since 2017 (3%–13%). Without the informal breakfast meetings that began in 2015 and development of a formal Executive Committee, this would not be possible. I am looking forward to serving on the Executive Committee for the next 2 years and thrilled to be doing so aside one of my partners at Vanderbilt, Dr. Ruchi Talwar.” Dr. Talwar is currently a urologic oncology fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and an elected member of WUO’s first Executive Committee.

“The WUO is really the first of its kind within a urologic subspecialty, and Dr. Luckenbaugh is truly the perfect person to lead the organization,” Dr. Talwar added. “Her dedication to formalizing the pipeline for female leaders in our field is unwavering. I am honored to serve on the Board under her leadership.”

Although informally started in 2015, the WUO formally started meeting in 2019. In 2022 its bylaws were approved by the Society of Urologic Oncology Board.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

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