“I’m grateful to my mentors over the years, my chair at Montefiore Medical Center, and of course, my parents and supportive husband, for molding and equipping me to win this award. At a time when rates of physician burnout are increasing, it is wonderful that the American Urological Association and its leaders are recognizing the hard work of many young urologists across the country,” said Dr. Nitay Abraham, the daughter of Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International.
A communique issued by the organizers of the award said, Dr. Nitya Abraham has been chosen from the New York Region for her accomplishments and contributions.
Dr. Nitya Abraham 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.
Dr. Abraham has served the AUA as an Oral Board Review Course faculty member and QIPS/MEP member. She is a member of the Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) Young Urologists Committee and social media committee.
Describing her as a prolific researcher with a clinical research focus on the impact of social determinants of health on pelvic floor health, the awards committee has noted that, Dr. Nitya Abraham 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.
A graduate of UConn, Dr. Nitya Abraham completed Medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center and the Urology residency at the same place. She did a fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, following which she joined the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. She lives with her husband Terrence and two daughters in Stamford, CT.
Along with Dr. Abraham, others who were chosen for the award included: Rena Malik, MD from Mid-Atlantic Section at the University of Maryland; Jesse D. Sammon, DO from New England Section at Maine Medical Partners Urology; Sarah Vij, MD from North Central Section at Cleveland Clinic; Alexander J. Ernest from MD, Society of Government Service Urologists at Brooke Army Medical Center; Kerri Thurmon, MD from South Central Section at the Denver Health and the University of Colorado School of Medicine; Zachary Klaassen, MD from Southeastern Section at the Medical College of Georgia; and, Yahir Santiago- Lastra, MD from the Western Section at the UC San Diego Health.
Established by the 2012-2013 AUA Young Urologists Committee (YUC) Chair, Dr. Michael C. Ost, the Young Urologist of the Year Award is presented annually to select early-career AUA members in recognition of their efforts and commitment to advancing the development of fellow young urologists. The following members were selected by their colleagues who serve on the Young Urologists Committee and endorsed by their respective Section/Society to receive this special honor for 2023.
