The American Urological Association has announced that Sam S. Chang, MD, MBA, is one of its 2024 award recipients who will be recognized at the organization’s annual meeting in May in San Antonio.
Chang, the Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Urologic Surgery, is the chief surgical officer of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC). The American Urological Association has chosen him for the Hugh Hampton Young Award, which is presented annually to an individual for outstanding contributions to the study of genitourinary tract diseases.
In announcing the award, the association praised Chang for “outstanding research, leadership and exemplary care of patients with urological cancers.” The organization previously recognized Chang in 2011 with the Gold Cystoscope Award, which is given to a urologist distinguished by outstanding professional contributions within 10 years of residency training.
Chang has been principal investigator of clinical trials that have led to practice-changing care models for prostate cancer and bladder cancer and, in the process, orchestrated the initiation and expansion of multiple cancer-related treatment protocols at VICC and elsewhere. He has led efforts in the integration of evidence-based medicine in clinical pathways, enhanced national guidelines and improved urologic cancer staging.
He has served in numerous national leadership capacities, including chair of the American Board of Urology Examination Committee, a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Bladder Cancer Panel, chair of the American Urological Association Public Policy Panel, assistant secretary of the American Urological Association and a member of the Scientific Board of Directors for the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. He chaired the Genitourinary Task Force of the American Joint Committee on Cancer from 2004 to 2013 and several other guidelines committees. He was recently named a trustee of the American Board of Urology. He has served on multiple journal editorial boards.