The American Urological Association (AUA) is awarding Joseph Smith Jr., MD, William L. Bray Professor in the Department of Urology, with its highest honor, the Ramon Guiteras Award. In addition, three other Department of Urology faculty are also receiving awards.
Smith will receive the career achievement recognition awarded annually to an individual who is deemed to have made outstanding contributions to the art and science of urology.
Melissa Kaufman, MD, PhD, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Urologic Surgery, is receiving the 2025 Mid-Career Award, presented for outstanding contributions to the profession of urology in research, clinical care or advocacy within 10 to 20 years of completing residency training.
Ryan Hsi, MD, associate professor, Department of Urology, is the recipient of the 2025 Gold Cystoscope Award, presented annually to a urologist distinguished by outstanding contributions to the profession within 10 years of completing residency training. Hsi joins Department of Urology faculty Sam Chang, MD, (2011) and David Penson, MD, MPH, (2006) to claim the most Gold Cystoscope winners in a single urology department.
Duke Herrell, MD, director of the Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery/Robotics Program, is the recipient of the AUA’s 2025 Distinguished Contribution Award, presented annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the science and practice of urology.
“These awards are a real testament to the outstanding achievements of these four individuals. While they are at different phases of their careers, all four have made really impactful contributions to the field of urology and the practice of medicine,” said Penson, the Paul V. Hamilton MD and Virginia E. Howd Professor of Urologic Oncology and chair of the Department of Urology.
“I am really happy for Jay, Ryan, Melissa and Duke. All of us in urology are proud of them and pleased that they continue to bring credit to both the department specifically and to Vanderbilt in general.”
