Chicago Urological Society Upcoming Events The Prostate Cancer Shootout Registration is now open. Register for this great meeting here to attend this additional CUS Meeting. Letter From the President: President’s Update Gordon J. Kinzler, MD Thank you for the opportunity to be your President. I have benefited a great deal as a member of the Chicago Urologic Society (CUS), as a resident, as a faculty member at Loyola University Medical Center and Rush Medical Center and particularly in solo private practice. CUS which obtains its strength and prestige from its membership is one of the most dynamic and fruitful of all medical societies. Coming into existence in 1903, we are one of the oldest medical societies even pre-dating the American Urological Association (AUA). Several years ago, with the loss of our Executive Director after decades of loyal service and new ownership of the Chicago Athletic Club, we as a group were driven to change. Fortunately, with talented leadership from our past presidents, in particular, Dr. Greg Bales and Dr. Kevin McVary, we as a society have prospered and grown stronger during this period of metamorphosis. We have found adequate facilities for our monthly meetings that provided the opportunity to significantly improve CUS’s financial health. In the 2010-2011 meeting season brings our next change – a larger and beautiful venue at the University Club in Chicago located at 76 E. Monroe St. Other positive changes included the securing of new management from the Medical Association Management with top executives Mary Hines and Caitlin Carnes as well as their other associates. Our new management has done an exceptional job and helped us to be financially efficient returning an enormous value to our membership. Our future looks even brighter with the new young talent coming into leadership positions this year and into the coming years including Courtney Howell and Tom Turk. They will serve this year as our Vice President and Treasurer and continue on as future Presidents. Our Board has made difficult decisions over the last years, but with their knowledge and steady handed guidance, they have been a rock that has created a solid foundation. This foundation will give the Chicago Urologic Society future stability. Despite the economic turbulence, CUS has been able to hold dues steady and extend to our membership superior urologic programming. We have had excellent support from our industry sponsors who have allowed our educational programs to improve and flourish. As a urologist who spent the earlier part of his career in academics, as a kidney transplant surgeon at two of our regional medical centers, I know the importance of educators who can make the complex understandable, run our training programs, and be involved in new cutting edge technology. As a solo urologist now in private practice I understand the importance of simplicity, quality, practicality, efficiency and common sense. Taking this hybrid approach to programming, I am very excited with the programs we have planned for the 2010-2011 season. We are fortunate to have big-name keynote speakers who are great communicators coupled with local up and coming urology stars who will be organizing the local programming. Each meeting features practical information for the academic and private practice urologists. This season highlights are located on the meetings tab of the website. Click there to find out the topics and keynote speakers of the upcoming season. As always there will continue to be plenty of time to visit with old friends, colleagues and meet new friends. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to bounce new ideas off and share questions about interesting cases with fellow urologists in the area. Join us for the Prostate Cancer Shoot Out this year on Saturday September 25. This event will give our Society national exposure and provide members an opportunity to expand and update their knowledge base about treatments for localized prostate cancer. CUS plays an important role of helping urologists improve their talents which benefit our patients in the Chicago land region. Membership in CUS continues to grow and flourish. As medicine is continually being reshaped, redefined and sometimes under assault by those who have no credentials or no knowledge base to do so, it is nice to know that our organization continues to be a beacon of hope and strength. It is important that urologists hold together as a group and being a member of CUS allows this. We need to remember that we, the physicians are the soul of medicine. We are the center and energy source for the healthcare system. We need to always remember not to undervalue our roles or ourselves. The camaraderie of the Chicago Urological Society will make us all stronger as individuals and as part of a group as we fight urologic disease along with the forces that attempt to undermine our livelihood and our ability to take care of our patients. I look forward to seeing you this fall.