Global Perspectives: From Mexico to Miami—Bridging Borders in Robotic Urology
Release Date: 01/29/2026
AUANews Inside Tract
In this episode of AUA News Inside Tract, Dr. Mark Gonzalgo, professor of urology at the University of Miami and Chair of the AUA Office of Education, speaks with Dr. Rigoberto Pallares-Mendez, attending urologist at Hospital General Tijuana and Hospital Ángeles Tijuana, about his experience as an AUA Exchange Scholar. Dr. Pallares-Mendez shares his path into urology, his passion for robotic surgery, and insights gained from training in Miami. Together, they explore differences between U.S. and Mexican healthcare systems, the importance of mentorship and systems-based practice, and how global...
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Join Drs. Minhaj Siddiqui, Kristen Scarpato, and Chad Ritch as they discuss an exciting opportunity to participate in a national quality improvement project sponsored by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Cancer Programs to improve timely administration of intravesical chemotherapy post-TURBT (TaPT). Time is limited to engage in this opportunity – the intent to participate in the TaPT Quality Improvement Collaborative is due to the ACS by February 15, 2026. To learn more about the opportunity, visit and consider advocating with your institution to participate.
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What does it take to turn a clinical idea into a scalable medical device? In this AUANews Insight Tract episode, Dr. Hugo Davila and Dr. Raul Storey of Arcus Medical reflect on their experience as participants in the AUA Innovation Nexus Boot Camp. They explore how Nexus connects physicians, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to help overcome common startup challenges, including FDA pathways, IP protection, reimbursement, and investor engagement. Discover how this physician-driven accelerator is transforming urology innovation and enabling founders to bring their ideas from concept to care.
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Developed by the Society of Academic Urologists in partnership with the American Urological Association, the SAU/AUA Urology Match Insider series provides medical students interested in the field of urology an inside look into the Urology Residency Match process. In this episode, medical student, Lola Lozano, sits down with Dr. Sara Lenherr and Dr. Adam Weiner to discuss the power of mentorship, including best practices for students seeking a mentor, key attributes of a successful mentorship relationship, and lessons learned from past mentee-mentor experiences.
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In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, UPJ's new Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Kathleen Kobashi, and Associate Editor, Dr. Gina Badalato, share their vision for the future of Urology Practice. They discuss the journal’s unique role in delivering practical, education-focused research, evolving article types, emerging topics like AI, and how readers can engage as authors and reviewers.
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Quality Improvement and Patient Safety In this episode, Dr. Kevin Koo joins Dr. Andrew Harris, Chair of AUA’s Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, for a conversation on opioid prescribing practices and patient-reported pain outcomes following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). They discuss the development and implementation of a tailored opioid prescribing algorithm that reduced unnecessary prescriptions, ensured adequate pain management, and highlighted the importance of multimodal analgesia in postoperative care.
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Join Josh Webster and Dr. Mark Edney as they break down the AUA’s most significant health policy victories of 2025. From the historic removal of the FDA’s black box warning on low-dose estrogen to progress on Medicare payment reform, NIH research funding, prior authorization relief, telehealth expansion, and prostate cancer screening advocacy, 2025 was a big year for the AUA. This special AUANews Inside Tract episode brings listeners inside the halls of Congress, highlights the AUA’s growing influence in federal and state policy, outlines what’s next, and how members can stay engaged...
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In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Census Trends, Dr. Catherine Nam and Dr. Hannah Glick explore key findings from the AUA Census on burnout among urologists, with nearly half reporting symptoms of stress. They discuss unhealthy coping mechanisms, the stigma around seeking mental health care, and how licensure policies may discourage physicians from getting help. The episode also offers actionable steps for physicians, administrators, and policymakers to support well-being and shift the culture around mental health in medicine.
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In this episode of Global Perspectives, Dr. Niels Johnsen and Dr. George Koch share their firsthand experiences as AUA Academic Exchange Scholars in India. From clinical insights to cultural discoveries, they reflect on the lessons learned, the surprises encountered, and the lasting impact of international collaboration on their approach to urology.
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Developed by the AUA Residents and Fellows Committee, each episode of the Training Transformed podcast series features an interview with a urology faculty member and resident physician surrounding an innovative facet of resident education at their institution. Tune in for our next episode as moderator, Dr. Samuel Ivan, chats with Drs. Philipp Dahm, Lane Shish and Pooja Srikanth about the University of Minnesota’s international partnership and exchange program with the University of Helsinki.
info_outlineIn this episode of AUA News Inside Tract, Dr. Mark Gonzalgo, professor of urology at the University of Miami and Chair of the AUA Office of Education, speaks with Dr. Rigoberto Pallares-Mendez, attending urologist at Hospital General Tijuana and Hospital Ángeles Tijuana, about his experience as an AUA Exchange Scholar. Dr. Pallares-Mendez shares his path into urology, his passion for robotic surgery, and insights gained from training in Miami. Together, they explore differences between U.S. and Mexican healthcare systems, the importance of mentorship and systems-based practice, and how global exchange programs help elevate patient care across borders.