3 Indian Americans win Young Urologist of the Year Award

Annual awards recognize their efforts and commitment to advancing the development of fellow young urologists

Three Indian American urologists have received the Young Urologist of the year Award from the American Urological Association in recognition of their efforts and commitment to advancing the development of fellow young urologists.

Three of the eight winners with the Indian connection are: Rena Malik, University of Maryland, from Mid-Atlantic Section; Nitya Abraham, Albert Einstein Medical College, from New York Section; and Sarah Vij, Cleveland Clinic, North Central Section, according to an AUA press release.

Read: Srilekha Palle appointed to Virginia Asian Advisory Board (March 23, 2023)

Since her graduation from fellowship, Dr Rena Malik has been an engaged and innovative young urologist in the MidAtlantic Section. She served as Chair of the Section’s Resident’s Day in 2022 and also has been on the MAAUA Awards Committee. She is the recipient of the William D. Steers Award for her work on urinary biomarkers that are predictive of catheter associated urinary tract infections.

Malik is also the recipient of the Urology Care Foundation 2021 Research Scholar Award. She was awarded “Top Social Media Presence” by Urology Practice Journal in 2022 and serves on the editorial boards of Urology Practice Journal and Journal of Urology.

She has a thriving practice in female pelvic medicine and reconstruction and voiding dysfunction. She has over 66 peer reviewed publications and has an ever-growing regional and national presence in FPMRS and urology due to her clinical expertise and unique ability to communicate with both patients and colleagues.

“Malik is an excellent role model for young and aspiring urologists and a worthy recipient of the MA-AUA Young Urologist of the Year Award!” the release saif.

Nitya Abraham, is an Associate Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Program Director for the Montefiore Urology residency program. She has mentored countless students, residents, fellows and junior faculty both at her institution and others in the New York region.

She serves as the Chair of the Executive Curriculum Committee for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has also served the AUA as an Oral Board Review Course faculty member and QIPS/MEP member.

Abraham is a member of the Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) Young Urologists Committee and social media committee.

She is a prolific researcher with a clinical research focus on the impact of social determinants of health on pelvic floor health, has received funding from the US Department of Defense for urinary diagnostic markers of interstitial cystitis, and is also a co-author of the AUA White Paper on Rationale and Strategies for Reducing Urologic Post-Operative Opioid Prescribing.

Dr. Sarah Vij is an Assistant Professor of Urology in the Department of Urology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, specializing in male infertility and andrology.

Vij, has won the award “for significant contributions in the field of male infertility and andrology, including being the first female program director of a Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) approved fellowship.

Vij heads the prestigious Male infertility/Andrology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute where she has trained many residents and fellows in microsurgery with her characteristic skill and mentorship.

Read: Indian-American physician honoured with young urologist of the year award (April 3, 2023)

In addition, Dr Vij serves as an associate program director for the Urology Residency and is the Center Director for the Center of Male Fertility in the Department of Urology at Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Vij is an active educator for the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine medical students, running didactic sessions and journal clubs. She has authored almost 50 peer-reviewed publications, the majority in the field of male infertility and andrology.

The Young Urologist of the Year Award was established by the 2012-2013 AUA Young Urologists Committee (YUC) Chair, Dr. Michael C. Ost.