Canadian urology – so much to be proud of

It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by already! This year was a truly special one for me, having had the honour to serve as CUA president. I was given the opportunity to learn even more about how urology is practiced across Canada and better understand our strengths as a community. We really do have something unique and I am told this repeatedly wherever I travel. Thank you for giving me so much to be proud of.

Having said that, we do face challenges, given the healthcare system we practice in, and we need to continue to work and innovate to be able to maintain the high standards our patients need and deserve. The CUA continues to work closely with urologists, both in the community and academic centres, to address their needs in whatever way we can. Toward that end, the objective of the soon-to-be-released strategic plan is to help our organization adapt to the ever-changing needs of our members. Our young residents are still worried about where they will work when they graduate and if they will be able to meet the standards they set for the patients they will treat. To those young and less young in practice, all I can say is that the quality of Canadian training programs is second to none! Whenever I speak to peers in centres around the world who have had the opportunity to collaborate with our graduates, they are always amazed by the quality of their work and the training they received.

We can also be proud of our annual meeting. Everyone I know from outside of Canada who has attended our meeting is always very impressed and I expect this year will again be memorable both scientifically and socially. I look forward to seeing colleagues, residents, fellows, and guest speakers impress us with science and then enjoy their company on a personal level during the social events. I hope to see you all in Quebec City, where I finish my term as president and welcome Andrew McNeilly as your 2019/2020 CUA president.

I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful and dedicated people at the CUA corporate office under the leadership of Ms. Tiffany Pizioli. They ensure that all runs smoothly and constantly find ways to accomplish the impossible for our association. They are incredible and adorable and we are lucky to have them!

I would also like to thank the executive of the CUA for all their dedication and hard work as volunteers. Until one sits in the president’s seat and sees all that is involved in running an organization like ours, it is difficult to truly grasp just how much time and effort everyone contributes. I am truly in awe.

Finally, to the members of the CUA, thank you for having given me the privilege to be our association’s president. I will cherish these memories forever.