National association selects Medical College of Georgia faculty as Young Urologist of the Year

The American Urological Association has named Zachary Klaassen, MD, as a Young Urologist of the Year award winner for the Southeastern Section. 

“These types of awards are very humbling, since it means someone has nominated you and others support this nomination. I don’t think there’s a secret formula other than to be better each day, take the best care of patients you can, treat everyone around you with the utmost respect, and constantly be teaching your mentees,” Klaassen said. 

Klaassen is an assistant professor of urology at the Medical College of Georgia. He also serves as director of urologic clinical research and as the residency program director for Augusta University Health and the Georgia Cancer Center. 

The Young Urologist of the Year award was created by Michael C. Ost, MD, chair of the 2012-13 AUA Young Urologist Committee. The award recognizes the efforts and commitment to advancing the development of fellow young urologists. 

AUA defines a young urologist as a physician who has completed an accredited medical school with a medical degree of MD, DO or equivalent; completed an accredited urology residency training program; is board-eligible or board-certified upon completion of training; practicing in a clinical/hospital setting with a responsibility of training residents and/or fellows in urology; and is a urologist in practice for 10 years or less.

Winners are selected by their fellow AUA colleagues and endorsed by their respective section/society. 

Klaassen received this award in recognition of his significant contributions to urologic oncology research and education. On top of this, he has also received multiple peer-review awards from journals such as the Journal of Urology, European Urology and Urologic Oncology. 

To keep up with Klaassen’s work, follow him and the Georgia Cancer Center on Twitter. Learn more about his work by watching or listening to his episode of A Cancer Conversation, found wherever you listen to podcasts.