The time has come
AUA History Booth recognizes the contributions of Black urologists in America and the vital, pivotal role they have fulfilled in history.
The story of Black urologists in American history is one of challenges but remains a little-known story of achievement. It’s one for the history books, according to Arthur (Bud) Burnett, MD, MBA, FACS, professor of urology and oncology at The John’s Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, and curator of this year’s AUA History Booth at the AUA Annual Meeting. 
Arthur (Bud) Burnett, MD, MBA, FACS
Located at Booth 330 in the Science & Technology Hall in San Antonio, this year’s theme is “Onward and Upward: Celebrating Black Urologists in America.” The impetus behind the theme, Dr. Burnett said, is to celebrate the legacy of Black urologists in America and the vital, pivotal role they have fulfilled in history. It is critical to know the past, he added, to be aware and knowledgeable of the present, and to prepare, to assist and to lead in the development of the future.
“The inequities surrounding health care particularly are germane to the field of urology. As we purposefully move forward as a society in America to address inequities, a coincident purpose is to know the value of Black Americans and all racial and ethnic groups as urologists, and to foster their entry into the urology health professions workforce,” Dr. Burnett said.
On Friday, May 3, Dr. Burnett will lead three days of History Booth Daily Talks about Black urologists, beginning with his own, “Evolution of Black Physicians in Medicine.” Other speakers will feature their unique perspectives on the history of Black urologists, including Uzoma Anele, MD, “Black Excellence in Urology Academia,” and Linda McIntire, MD, "Origins of the R. Frank Jones Urological Society," on Saturday, May 4, and Brian McNeil, MD, “Black Leadership in Urology,” on Sunday, May 5.
The history of urology reflects the history of medicine and, in many ways, the history of America, where society continues to confront racism and its legacy of dehumanization, invisibility and silencing of Black Americans, Dr. Burnett said.
Unfortunately, he said, the Black experience in medicine and urology has been and still is marked by major challenges, especially in terms of representation. There has been no statistically significant increase in the representation of Black physicians in the U.S. since 1900. Today, there are approximately 4.21 urologists per 100,000 population. If a Black person wishes to be cared for by a urologist of the same racial background, it is a challenge because there is only one Black urologist for every 140,000 Black Americans. According to the 2022 AUA Census, of the 13,976 practicing urologists in the United States, only an estimated 293 (2.2%) are Black.
“Diversity of perspective exists among Black individuals, bringing a richness to understanding and telling the Black experience,” Dr. Burnett said. “Despite the commonality of some life experiences as a racial group, this observation informs the diversity that exists even within the group.”
A complimentary book compiling slightly longer essays on material covered in the 2024 History Exhibit will be available for meeting attendees. Visit the History Booth to get a copy of the book and to play the popular game, “Lies, Damn Lies, and Medical History.” Winners will be awarded prizes and museum “swag.” Urologists are encouraged to check out the booth gift shop, where they can purchase urology-themed gifts.
In addition to this year’s AUA History Booth, the AUA will again feature the History of Urology Forum on Friday, May 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. Ron Rabinowitz, MD, and John Phillips, MD, will moderate the forum, located in room 206 of the convention center. The forum will feature 14 poster and 21 podium presentations, the Medical Ethics Debate, 2023 AUA Earl Nation Retrospectroscope Award, and the Bicknell Lecture at 3 p.m.
