Announcements
AUA Presidential Citation
| 2011
Distinguished Member l 2011
Essay Winners l Members in
the News l AUA Research
Funding | In
Memoriam to Dr. Hoyt Miles l In
Memoriam to Dr. John Stein l In
Memoriam to Dr. Earl Nation l Resident
Scholarship Fund
 Frank
J. DeSantis, CAE to Receive Prestigious AUA Presidential
Citation
December
20, 2010- Frank J. DeSantis, CAE, was officially notified by AUA President
Datta G. Wagle, M.D. that he is the recipient of the prestigious 2011
AUA Presidential Citation. The award is presented in acknowledgement
of over 45 years of outstanding administrative management of the Western
Section American Urological Association. Presentation of this honor
will be made on May 18, 2011 during the AUA Awards dinner at the Smithsonian
National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
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In Memoriam
 Hoyt
Miles, M.D.
Past President, Western Section AUAWe
were saddened to learn upon returning from the 85th annual meeting in
Las Vegas, NV that our beloved past president, Hoyt B. Miles had passed
away on October 20, 2009. He died peacefully at home. Hoyt outlived
his wife of 51 years, Luana, a former Miss Hawaii and dancer, who supported
his career and was active in many hospital fund raising guilds. Hoyt
and Luana had a second home in Hawaii and were close friends with other
Western Section urologists there, especially another Western Section
past president, Andy and Mims Morgan of Kona.Before
his retirement in 1984 Dr. Miles started his career in urology with
a practice in Reno in 1957, then moved to Santa Ana, California and
shared a successful practice with the late Donald Dicus and John C.
Prince before relocating his practice back to Reno, Nevada in 1980 where
he assisted with surgery in all specialties. During
his term on the executive committee, Dr. Miles had much impact on the
future of the Western Section as we enjoy it today and was an important
turning point in the development of the Western Section AUA. As president
of the Western Section in 1977, Dr. Miles and Frank DeSantis drafted
a comprehensive poll in response to the demands of the Western Section
and concern for the programs and implementation of its Annual Meetings.
As a result of this poll to the membership, the committee responsibilities
and the structure of the scientific and social aspects of the annual
meetings were further developed, the executive committee function was
modified and the inclusion and involvement of residents to attend the
educational meetings at no charge was confirmed. It was this survey
that brought to light the need for additional districts within the growing
Western Section, and membership committee responsiveness which allowed
the Western Section to continue to be an effective voice on issues that
arise on both the regional and national levels. Hoyt delivered the survey
results in his presidential address at the legendary Fairmont Hotel
in San Francisco in 1977, where he and Luana “set high standards” for
one of the most memorable and enjoyable Western Section meetings in
the history of the Western Section. At this meeting Cary Gray helped
Hoyt and Luana by serving as the general arrangements chairman. As a
result of Dr. Mile’s survey, the newsletter “Mainstream” was implemented
to enhance communication between the association and its members.
Biographical
Data
Dr. Miles was born February 25, 1918 in Joplin, Missouri.
He was graduated from the Yale School of Medicine in 1943 and after
internship, served with the Marine Corp and the Pacific in World War
II. He and another urologist, Cary Gray, met while stationed in Naples,
Italy during WWII. He subsequently had residencies in Presbyterian Hospital
of Los Angeles, a pathology residency at the Cottage Hospital in Santa
Barbara and two years of general practice which was followed by a full
three years urological residency a the Los Angeles County Hospital.
Dr. Miles has been an instructor in the surgery department at the University
of Southern California and subsequent to his transfer of practice to
Reno, Nevada, he has been on the consulting staff at Washoe Medical
Center, St. Mary’s Hospital, Veteran’s Administration Hospital and Carson-Tahoe
Hospital at Carson City, Nevada.
He was a certified member of the American Board of Urology and Fellow
of the American College of Surgeons and the American Urological Association.
Comments
from colleagues, friends (taken from his membership file)
Hoyt
has the highest medical morals and ethics.
– James L. Goebel, MD
There is no question whatsoever of the integrity of his moral character.
- John DeTar, MD
I like Hoyt very much and found him not only capable, but ethical and
honest in every respect. An
ethical, well-trained urologist with excellent ability and judgment.
– Jay J. Crane, MD
I
find Hoyt to be a very competent and conscientious urologist always
extending good care to his patients.
– J. Park Tuttle, MD
Remarks
from Friends and Associates
We spent a lot of time together working for the Western Section AUA
in the late 70s. Hoyt cared about the future of urology. He was a gentleman,
very debonair, well mannered and had a lot of interesting and amusing
stories to share. He and Luana changed everything by raising the bar
for the standards of the Western Section meetings, both in the social
event aspect and as an effective non-profit organization. Thanks to
Hoyt and the massive membership survey we undertook in 1977 we now have
functioning committees and descriptions, policies, resident programs
and the newsletter, Mainstream, to name a few. He was clearly an inspiration
to the leadership that followed his term. In the early days there was
no model to follow. Hoyt and a few others were the trailblazers with
vision. I will miss his friendship and support.
–Frank J. DeSantis, CAE
I first met Hoyt and Luana Miles in 1973 when Hoyt was diagnosed with
a locally advanced invasive bladder cancer. I treated him surgically
and he subsequently became a 37 year survivor and we became very close
family friends throughout this time. We shared a common heritage, both
graduating from Yale University School of Medicine and we both cherished
the innovative surgical challenges of Urology. Hoyt was a wonderful
clinician and provided great leadership to the Western Section of the
AUA. He and Luana loved Reno and Hawaii, particularly their time spent
with the Morgan’s. We always cherished our time with Hoyt – he was a
fun loving, warm human being who represented all that is good in life.
Shirley and I will miss him but always remember him. I actually talked
to him the week before he passed when he was contemplating a minor procedure
to be done in Reno. He was in great spirits and felt well up to the
time of his death.
–Donald G. Skinner, M.D.
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Distinguished Member 2011: Dr. John N. Wettlaufer, M.D.,
FACS
Dr. John N. Wettlaufer, M.D., FACS has
been selected as this year's honoree for the Western
Section American Urological Association's Distinguished
Member Award for his contributions to the speciality
of urology.
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Congratulations 2011 Essay Contest Winners
Miley
B. Wesson/Olympus Resident Essay Contest Winners:
First Place: Adam C. Reese, M.D., University of California
San Francisco Second Place: Ryan P. Kopp, M.D., University
of California San Diego Third Place: Nathan A. Hoag,
M.D., University of British Columbia
Joseph
F. McCarthy / Olympus Physician Essay Contest Winners:
First Place: Jared M. Whitson, M.D., University of California
San Francisco Second Place: Mitchell R. Humphreys, M.D.,
Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Third Place: Mathew D. Sorensen,
M.D., University of California San Francisco
Historical Essay Contest
First Place: Michael E. Moran, M.D., Arizona
Institute of Urology First Place: Anthony H. Horan,
M.D., Alpine Urology Second Place: Michael E. Moran,
M.D., Arizona Institute of Urology
Health Policy Essay Competition Winners:
Young Urologist: Matthew Cooperberg, M.D.,
University of California San Francisco Resident: Jeffrey
Bassett, M.D., University of California Los Angeles
Honorable Mention: William T. Lowrance, M.D., MPH, Univeristy
of Utah
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Members In the News
We congratulate these outstanding members on their distinguished AUA
Awards for 2010.
Congratulations to Ralph V. Clayman, M.D. for being awarded the 2010 AUA Ramon Guiteras Award, the highest AIA
award bestowed, for pioneering work in minimally invasive urological
surgery, especially laparoscopic nephrectomy, and advancements in the
endourologic management of urinary disease.
Congratulations to Peter R. Carroll, M.D. for being awarded the Eugene Fuller Triennial Prostate Award, for advancing
research and clarifying national patterns of patient care for prostate
cancer and by establishing a center of excellence at the University
of California San Francisco.
Congratulations to S. Larry Goldenberg, M.D. for being awarded the Distinguished Service Award, for outstanding contributions
to the goals of the American Urological Association and promotion of
public awareness of prostate cancer.
Congratulations to Lawrence W. Jones, M.D. for being awarded the Distinguished Service Award, for dedication to
the AUA Western Section, and outstanding advocacy on behalf of the American
Urological Association throughout the spectrum of organized medicine.
Congratulations to William W. Bohnert, M.D. for being awarded the Gold Cane Award, for devotion to patient care
and outstanding contributions to the American Urological Association.
Congratulations to John N. Wettlaufer, M.D. for being awarded the Presidential Citation Award, for outstanding contributions
to urologic education and patient care with superb clinical judgment
and surgical skills.
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WSAUA First Section to Fully Fund the AUAF Research Scholar Challenge Grant Proposal
Representatives from the Western Section AUA attended the AUAF meeting
on Saturday, February 2 in Orange County, California to discuss the
development and strategies for the newly reorganized AUA Foundation.
The Western Section representatives included Mr. Frank DeSantis and
Jeannie DeSantis, Executive Staff; Dr. John Prince, AUA Board Member
and Dr. Daniel Nachtsheim, newly appointed AUAF Council member for the
WSAUA who presented a check for the full amount of the grant to AUAF
representatives Roger Herring, Chair of the AUAF Development Council
and Sandra Vassos, Executive Director AUAF. Other council members in
attendance included Dr. Richard Williams (NCS), Vice Chair of the AUAF
Development Council; ; Summer Sedlacek, Director of AUAF Foundations/Corporate
Partnerships; Mr. Mike Sheppard, AUA Executive Director; Dr. Brendan
Fox (NES); Dr. Sushil Lacy (SCS); Dr. Robert Waldbaum (NYS) and Dr.
Charles Brendler (NCS).
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 Western
Section Suffers Loss of an Officer: Dr. John P. Stein
It
is with the greatest sadness that we inform you of the passing of our
Section Member and Officer, Dr. John Stein of Los Angeles. Dr. Stein,
46, died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 11, 2008 while attending
a urological conference in Naples, Florida. He joined the Western Section
AUA member in 1988 and currently served in the Officer position of Secretary-Elect
to assume position of Secretary this October. He also served on the
Program Committee for four years (2002-2006).Dr.
Stein, a professor of urology at USC School of Medicine, was an outstanding
physician who was an internationally recognized authority on the management
of urologic cancers. He was a superb surgeon, a gifted clinician scientist,
a role model for peers, residents and students. He touched the lives
of thousands of patients and saved the lives of many using his extraordinary
clinical talents.He
was dedicated husband and father. He is survived by his wife Randi and
four children. He was an outstanding amateur athlete and basketball
player.Dr.
Stein was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Loyola
University School of Medicine. He completed his urology residency under
the direction of Dr. Donald Skinner at USC and spent his entire clinical
career at the Norris Cancer Center and the University of Southern California,
where he rose to the rank of Professor of Urology. He was an academic
and clinical superstar.Dr.
Stein will be missed by all.
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 In
Memoriam:
Earl F. Nation, M.D.
January
16, 1910 - January 1, 2008
The
Western Section is saddened to announce that our good friend and
colleague, Dr. Earl F. Nation, MD, WS
Past President (1970) & AUA Past President (1978), as well
as AUA Treasurer from (1971-1976) passed away after a brief illness
on January 1, 2008, he was 97 years old. He was at home with family.
Dr. Nation would have been 98 on January 16th. Dr. Nation joined
the WSAUA in 1946 and AUA in 1950. As you all know, Dr. Nation
was key to the preservation of urologic history for the AUA and
the Western Section. He attended all the Section meetings, including
our last meeting in Scottsdale - and he looked great.
"A
legend has passed away with Earl. I was so blessed to be his friend
and protege; without Earl I will not be where I am. I miss him
dearly."
Dr. Sakti Das
"Dr.
Nation was a friend to urology and to all who had the pleasure
to work with him, as I did these past 41 years. He dedicated a
large portion of his life to the AUA and to the Western Section.
He then spent many years working on preserving the AUA history
for the Centennial and sharing many remarkably accurate biographies
and stories about other pioneers in urology and their contributions
as well. He is a legend who respected and honored those who came
after him as well as his contempories, all of whom he outlived.
He will not be forgotten. We have him to thank for the Resident
Scholarship Fund named after him several years ago so that others
may continue to follow the trail that he and other dedicated,
respected physicians blazed in the name of urology. We are grateful
for the privilege of knowing you, Dr. Nation."
Frank DeSantis, CAE, Executive Director and Family
"He
was an Icon and will be missed by all of us."
Dr. Bill Bohnert, Past President
"Undoubtedly the greatest representative the Western
Section has had to the AUA."
Dr. Roy Correa, Past President
"A venerable giant of Urology."
Dr. Dan Nachtsheim, Past President
"The sad passing of a legend in his time! May he rest in
peace."
Dr. Brendan Fox, AUA Past President
"He was a special individual."
Dr. Larry Goldenberg, Past President
"He was, indeed, quite a great man and it was an honor
just to have known him. He will be missed by all of us."
Dr. John Edwards, Past President
"I feel honored to have known him all these years. I
will sure miss him."
Dr. John Scott, Past President
"What a wonderful man and a most amazing life!!! We were
all blessed to have known him. But truly, he isn't gone at all.
He's left us such a legacy in his writing and instrumentation,
he will be looking over all of our shoulders for years to come!!!"
Tracey Sanford, GYRUS ACMI
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