Western Section AUA  -  100th Annual Meeting
Grand Hyatt Kauai
October 27 to Nov. 1, 2024

Annual Meeting Award Opportunities & Requirements

See below information for various awards including: posters, physician, fellow and resident essays, health policy essays, history essays, the Round Table Program, and Resident Scholarships.

Note: Original author must present paper in person to receive award/prizes, no  substitutions allowed.

Poster Session Awards

James L. Goebel Poster Awards
Grand Prize - $800 / 2nd Prize – $500 / 3rd Prize -$300
Best of each session receives a Ribbon Award

There will be three overall awards and awards for best of each session for the three moderated poster sessions. Overall awards are: James L. Goebel Grand Prize: $500 award, Second Place Winner: $300 award, Third Place Winner:$200 award. The Best of Session Awards are: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place ribbon awards. Original author must present in person to receive award/funds, no  substitutions allowed. The judges will consider posters to be prize winners based on the following:

  • Quality and work effort;
  • Originality and value of concepts presented;
  • Use of diagrams and pictures;
  • Minimum use of verbiage,
  • Overall visual presentation (minimum font size 12 point).

Posters are designed to permit the author of a technical paper to explain and illustrate concepts, techniques or research findings in a simple graphic manner that will promote understanding more readily than a “rapid fire” podium address. Submit a one-page abstract form for the Abstract Book.

Those selected for a moderated poster session will present a 2 minute podium presentation along with one PowerPoint summary slide. Those selected for an unmoderated poster session will hang their poster for all day viewing on Sunday, but will not have a formal presentation. They may however be included in the "People's Choice Award"  if available, which allows all physicians a vote.

BOTH MODERATED & UNMODERATED POSTER SIZES will be approx. 44" wide by 44" tall (usable area of poster). Design the poster(s) to explain and illustrate concepts, techniques or research findings in a simple graphic manner.

Essay Contest Instructions & Awards

Joseph F. McCarthy - Physician Essay Contest
1st Prize: $1000 • 2nd Prize: $700 • 3rd Prize: $300
(All winners also receive an engraved plaque)

To be eligible for the Physician’s Essay Contest, you must be a urologist in the geographical area of the Western Section American Urological Association who has been out of training no more than 10 years. The contestant must be the principal worker and author of the paper. The essay may consist of any topic of urologic interest. It need not be based on research. It must not be published prior to the first day of the meeting. Prize winning essays will be assigned a place on the program. Original author must present paper in person to receive award/funds, no substitutions allowed. Non winners will be considered for a place on the program. The cover page should bear the title of the subject but not the name of the author. Use manuscript form is that required by the Journal of Urology.

Accompaniments: Your essay should be accompanied by the following information: 1) Cover letter 2) Photos 3) Abstract Form.

  • Cover letter - please include:
    • Name & address of principal author.
    • Name of any co-workers who are to appear on the published paper.
    • For non-WSAUA members, answer the questions: Date and place of urological training? Percentage of practice devoted to urology? Percentage of time devoted to private practice as opposed to salaried institutional work?
  • Photos or illustrations: Label each photo with paper title.
  • Abstract Form: Submit a one-page abstract and upload/attach essay using our online form.

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Miley B. Wesson - Resident & Fellow Essay Contest
1st Prize: $1000 • 2nd Prize: $700 • 3rd Prize: $300
(All winners also receive an engraved plaque)

To be eligible for the Resident & Fellow Essay Contest, you must be either a resident (who has not completed their residency by the time of the abstract submission deadline) or Fellow and are in training within the geographical area of the Western Section American Urological Association. The contestant must be the principal worker and author of the paper. The essay may consist of any topic of urologic interest. It need not be based on research. It must not be published prior to the first day of the meeting. Prize winning essays will be assigned a place on the program. Original author must present paper in person to receive award/funds, no substitutions allowed. Non winners will be considered for a place on the program. The cover page should bear the title of the subject but not the name of the author. Use manuscript form is that required by the Journal of Urology.

Accompaniments: Your essay should be accompanied by the following information:1)Cover letter 2) Letter of Residency Verification 3) Photos 4) Abstract Form.

  • Cover letter - please include:
    • Name and address of principal author.
    • Stage and place of urological training.
    • Name of co-workers who are to appear on the published paper.
    • Answer questions: Are you the participant in an on-going research project? Is this original work of yours with advisor(s)? Will you be the first author on manuscript when submitted for publication?
  • Letter of Residency Verification: Letter to be on department letterhead and signed by the urologist who heads the department.
  • Photos or illustrations: Label each photo with paper title.
  • Abstract Form: Submit a one-page abstract and upload/attach essay using our online form.

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Health Policy Forum - Essay and Poster Contest

First Place Essay ($500) - Dr. Jeffrey E. Kaufman WSAUA Health Policy Essay Award

First Place Poster ($300) - Dr Anthony W. Middleton WSAUA Public Policy & Data Quality Poster Award

(All winners also receive an engraved plaque)

Contest winners may also be offered a travel stipend to attend the AUA Summit Advocacy Conference in Washington DC (usually held each March

The WSAUA Health Policy Forum is nationally recognized and esteemed = Great Opportunity for Western Section AUA Members & Residents/Fellows!

  • Eligibility: All Western Section AUA Residents and Fellows are eligible.
  • Subject matter: The essay or poster must address a relevant aspect of Health Policy and/or practice management.
  • Program: Prize winning essays and posters will be assigned a place on the Annual Meeting Program. All other papers submitted in the competition will be considered for a place on the program. If the paper is not acceptable, the paper will be returned to the author.
  • Rules: Original author must present paper in person to receive award/funds, no  substitutions allowed. If winner attends the AUA Summit, a one page written report about the experience and suggestions for others is required.
  • Judging: The papers are judged by the Health Policy Committee of the Western Section. Essays are judged by originality, importance of material and editorial clarity.
  • Submission: Submit a one-page abstract and upload/attach essay using our online form. The essay cover page should bear the title of the subject but not the name of the author. Use manuscript form is that required by the Journal of Urology.

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History Essay Contest

Opportunity for Western Section AUA Members

1st Prize: $500 • 2nd Prize: $300 • 3rd Prize: $100

Any category of Western Section membership is eligible to submit essays. The essay may consist of anything of an historical nature including but not limited to persons, training programs, procedures, instruments, pharmaceuticals, diseases, treatment, concepts, etc. It must not be published prior to the date of the meeting. The cover page should bear the title of the subject but not the name of the author. Use manuscript form is that required by the Journal of Urology. Original author must present paper in person to receive award/funds, no  substitutions allowed. The papers are judged by the History Committee of the Western Section. Originality, importance of material and editorial clarity will be important points in judging. Your essay must be accompanied by a one page abstract form.

 

Round Table Program

The Round Table Session is the grand finale of the meeting and a unique and popular Western Section tradition that brings together humor and innovation.

There are two Round Table awards available:

Bodner-Stegemann Award
Prize of $500

For the Bodner-Stegemann Award, submit an abstract of a unique, interesting or bizarre case for the Round Table. The presentation must be limited to 3 minutes.

The categories to choose from are:

  • A gadget converted from some other use
  • A diagnostic trick
  • A therapeutic aid, medical or surgical
  • A problem case for which opinion or advice is requested
  • An unusual case or cases

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The Hadley Award
Prize of $500

For the Hadley Award, submit an abstract of a unique, interesting or bizarre case for the Round Table. The presentation must be limited to 3 minutes in length. Only Western Section members are eligible.

History: This competition was initiated by an endowment from the estate of Dr. Henry L. Hadley and the Division of Urology at Loma Linda University. Dr. Henry Hadley, who passed away in 1993, served as Chairman of Urology at Loma Linda University from 1965 to 1990.

 

RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Each year, Resident travel scholarships are awarded to one outstanding Resident from each of the 20 training facilities in the Western Section geographic boundaries. The award per Resident is currently $1000 except for Hawaii meetings in which case it is $1500.

Who selects which Resident's will receive an award?

One qualifying Resident is chosen by the Chief of Urology of each training facility within the Western Section geographic boundaries. To qualify, the Resident must submit an Abstract, be accepted, register and present their research at the annual meeting. Checks are sent at the conclusion of the meeting.

Scholarship award winners & contributors will be published in the official annual meeting program book and Mainstream Newsletter.

Click here for more information about this program