History of World Chinese Urological Society

Founded by 8 urologists on 22 February 1902, the American Urological Association (AUA), with a membership in 2011 of 17,690 including 3,877 international members, has been holding annual meetings at which world-class urologists and uroscientists give state-of-the-art lectures and present new discoveries in plenary sessions, poster sessions, symposiums and postgraduate courses. There are more than 10,000 urologists of Chinese decent in the world and many have actively participated in the activities of the AUA.

In 2005, the then AUA President Dr. Joseph N. Corriere Jr. and Secretary Dr. Carl A. Olsson authorized the establishment of a Chinese urology program at the annual AUA meeting.  This idea received much enthusiastic support from Chinese urologists worldwide and the first World Chinese Urological Society (WCUS) meeting at the AUA was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on 20 May 2006. In 2009, the WCUS became an official affiliate society of the AUA.

At the inaugural meeting in 2006, three academicians, Yinglu Guo, Luke S. Chang and Tung-Tien Sun were among the moderators. The presidents of 5 Chinese urological associations gave the State-of-Chinese-Urology lectures. Leland Chung helped arrange the local program. This highest level of enthusiastic support was unprecedented in the history of urology. It opened a new era of cooperation, friendship, respect and love among Chinese urologists and uroscientists.

The number of participants in the WCUS had increased to about 500 at the 2010 San Francisco AUA meeting, thanks to the hard work of the Scientific Committee headed by Run Wang. The scientific program has also changed from presentations toward more expert lectures and “take home messages”, in response to comments and suggestions by participants and officials from the 5 urological associations.  At this time, we do not have an “official” organization and membership. We are very grateful to Pfizer, American Medical Systems and Bayer for their generous support to make the meetings possible.

The WCUS is one of the most successful affiliate societies of the AUA. Despite a number of growing pains and financial difficulty, it has survived and is growing stronger.  It is time that we review our goals and purpose, and plan ahead for the future. The Society will thrive only if more urologists and uroscientists of Chinese decent participate, contribute and lead. We hope the WCUS will be one of the best urological societies in the world in the not too distant future.

Tom F Lue. MD., ScD (Hon) FACS