24 Prof Adam completed an international fellowship (2013-2014) working at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Westmead Hospital and the Westmead Private Hospitals in Sydney, Australia. He is the current re-elected President of the College of Urologists - the Urology examination body in South Africa (CMSA). He is also the National Academic Co-Chair of the South African Urology Association (SAUA) and a member of the Medical and Scientic Advisory Board of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. His academic accolades include: The Karl Storz Golden Cystoscope Award, Bard Gold Medallion, Sano Aventis Award, Wits Research Recognition Award, Burt Myburgh Research Prize. He has been inducted onto various international indexed Journal Editorial Boards, including the prestigious British Journal of Urology (BJUInt). His active research publication portfolio includes over 95 peer reviewed journal articles, many indexed in leading International Urology Journals. What inspired you to specialise in urology? Urology really has everything in it! I've always had a strong passion for conditions in urology, the desire to advance knowledge in the eld through research and teaching, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives. I'm also privileged to be part of the challenging and diverse nature of urology cases that keep us engaged and motivated in this eld /specialty in clinical medicine. The challenges in public sector urology departments are huge, but Charlotte Maxeke has had unique difculties in the past few years. What are the biggest challenges that you are facing? Since I do limited private practice, the disparity is personally experienced but having said this, the major discrepancies are around “accessibility”. Challenges in the public sector of urology have been identied and experienced at all public healthcare centres (at varying levels) throughout the world. These can include limited resources, long wait times for patients to access care, high patient volume leading to time constraints, and nancial constraints affecting the quality of care provided. Patient income and access to basic transport and access to services have also been studied in a local context. With a signicant proportion of the patients we attend to, declaring a zero to negligible income at their registration to hospital. Additionally, workforce shortages and disparities in healthcare access can also pose challenges in delivering urological services in the public sector. But having said all of the above, a public servant healthcare worker's impact is thus so much more signicant because of the limitations to specialist care in this country. What are your special interests in urology? Collaborative research, novel innovations in Urology, minimally invasive urology, Laparoscopic Urology, Stone disease and PCNL, Urological cancers including prostate Cancer and Prostate Cancer therapies, Rezum, Brachytherapy and Paediatric Urology. You hold a lot of positions with various institutions, how have you managed to balance, work, family and recreation? Balancing work, career, life, and family as a urologist can be challenging, but some tips include setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, delegating when possible, scheduling family time, practising self-care, and seeking support from colleagues, friends, and family. Oh, and might I add, I've never been known to say no to a Padel game. On a serious note, a Surgical Mentor is an essential component! From my registrar days in Urology - I have taken close mentoring advice from Dr Dionne Celliers (Urologist - at PUH/UNITAS) along the years and even up to now, and I don't think I can ever repay him enough! I sometimes go across and still assist him with some complex cases but it's more just to catch up over a cup of coffee. Also, I've always had many other local and international Academic Urologists at hand, but it started with Dr Celliers! Regarding time management: It's important to communicate openly with your partner, and loved ones about your commitments and try and nd a balance that works for you. Congratulations to Prof Ahmed Adam who was appointed to the position of Academic Head of of Urology (Wits University) and the Clinical Head of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) and Cluster Hospitals. UROLOGY, URO-ONCOLOGY AND SEXOLOGY UPDATE New appointments and announcements
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