by Craig Boerner
The American Board of Urology (ABU) is naming Roger Dmochowski, MD, MMHC, professor, Department of Urologic Surgery, and associate surgeon-in-chief at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, as its president for 2020-2021.
The ABU, which was organized to encourage study, improve standards, and promote competency in the practice of Urology, certifies urologic physicians who meet its educational, professional standing and examination criteria.
It is one of 24 medical specialty boards that make up the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which works to establish common standards for physicians to achieve and maintain board certification.
“Roger has served as a Trustee for the ABU for the last four years and his appointment as president of the board is evidence of what an outstanding job he has done both for the ABU and for the specialty,” said David Penson, MD, MPH, professor and chair of Urology at VUMC. “Dr. Dmochowski is truly a national leader in our field and this is just more proof of that.”
Nominated by the American College of Surgeons, Dmochowski joined the ABU in 2015 and has since served as chair of both the Female Pelvic Medicine and Quality Measures Committees.
In addition to his roles as chairman, Dmochowski has served as a member of the Policy Committee, MOC/Lifelong Learning and Log Committee, Pediatric Urology Committee, Diplomate Relations and Communications Committee, RRC Committee and the Nominating Committee.
He recently completed a one-year term on the Executive Committee as secretary-treasurer.
The ABU, a non-profit organization, was organized in Chicago on September 24, 1934, incorporated May 6, 1935, in Dover, Delaware, and held its first legal meeting on May 10, 1935.
The board of trustees has 12 members, including officers, who are nominated by their societies, with two new trustees elected annually in August. Once elected, each trustee serves a six-year term.
The board evaluates candidates who are duly licensed to practice medicine, and arranges and conducts examinations for the purpose of certification, subspecialty certification, recertification and ongoing maintenance of certification. Certificates are conferred by the board to candidates who successfully complete all requirements for a given certificate.