College of Medicine Magazine Fall/Winter 2019

Urology Department Chair Elected to National Leadership Role

Michael Cookson, M.D., chair of the Department of Urology, was recently elected president of the Society of Urologic Oncology.

Cookson holds the Donald D. Albers Endowed Chair in urology, and he sees urologic cancer patients at Stephenson Cancer Center at OU Medicine. He was installed in his new role at the society’s annual meeting Dec. 3 in Washington, D.C., and will serve a one-year term.

“I am indeed honored to lead one of the most significant international organizations that advocates for urologic cancer care,” Cookson said. “SUO strives to bring together distinguished experts whose work is entirely or primarily focused on malignant diseases of the urinary tract that include prostate and bladder cancer. In this way, we harness our experience and expertise to conquer urologic cancers.”

SUO offers members a forum for discussion, development and implementation of ideas to improve care for patients with malignant genitourinary diseases. Key objectives are to stimulate research and teaching in urologic oncology, disseminate principles of urologic oncology to the medical profession at large and to standardize fellowship training in urologic oncology.

In addition, Cookson said SUO is spearheading efforts with the American Board of Urology to develop a new Focus Practice Designation in Urologic Oncology for those physicians immersed in the care of urologic cancer patients.

“The goal of this initiative will be to allow patients to identify doctors who are experts in the field with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes for those diagnosed with prostate and urologic cancers,” he said.