Celeste Kirschner, CEO; Scott Sellinger, MD, President
LUGPA, Chicago, Illinois
In April 2025, LUGPA leaders and members traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with lawmakers and advance key policy priorities affecting independent urology and patient access to care. The fly-in took place during a particularly complex period on Capitol Hill, amid escalating budget reconciliation debates and new tariff proposals that could shift the economic landscape for clinicians and patients alike.
Despite the challenging climate, LUGPA members engaged in more than 21 meetings with US House of Representatives offices to ensure that urologists’ voices were heard on Medicare reimbursement, access to specialty drugs, site neutrality, and preserving physician autonomy. Our message was clear: Independent physician practices are essential to delivering high-quality, cost-effective care, and Congress must act to preserve their viability.
LUGPA focused on advancing 3 key legislative priorities:
Ensuring sustainable physician reimbursement and reform to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 (HR 879)
Protecting patient access to in-office dispensed medications (HR 2484)
Preserving access to lifesaving Medicare Part B drugs
»» Read more at lugpa.org/policy-advocacy.
“In 2024, we faced significant challenges, but we have met them head-on with ingenuity, collaboration, and determination to uphold our principles, beliefs, and mission,” said Evan Goldfischer, MD, MBA, MPH, who concluded his 2 years of service as LUGPA president in November.
In 2024, LUGPA effected substantial political and policy changes in Washington, DC; held multiple meetings with record-breaking attendance; and developed essential resources for its members.
LUGPA’s 2024 Annual Report contains a review of all the important milestones of the year, including event recaps and a rundown of LUGPA’s advocacy efforts and legislative victories. The report also features a final president’s message from Dr Goldfischer, many photos, and a snapshot of the financial health of the organization.
»» LUGPA’s 2024 Annual Report can be viewed at lugpa.org/2024-annual-report.
LUGPA’s Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Academy was held May 29-31, 2025, at the Scottsdale Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event brought together urology leaders and ASC stakeholders to explore the key clinical and administrative elements required to build and maintain a safe, efficient, and high-performing ASC. Sessions focused on topics such as staffing, regulatory compliance, and procedural best practices.
This year’s program featured 2 learning tracks designed to support attendees at different stages of ASC development: individuals just beginning to explore the concept and individuals with established centers seeking optimization strategies. Attendees participated in a variety of engaging sessions, including a presentation on current ASC market trends by Stephen Abresch, director of government affairs at the ASC Association; a panel on regulatory updates; and a deep dive into staffing strategies and financial performance improvement. The program also included industry-sponsored symposia, networking receptions, and open discussion forums.
Next year, LUGPA’s ASC Academy will be held April 9-11, 2026, in Rosemont, Illinois.
Don’t miss these upcoming LUGPA events, which provide opportunities to exchange ideas and network!
June 20-21, 2025: Boston Regional Meeting; Boston, MA
October 16-18, 2025: Bladder & Kidney Cancer Academy; Nashville, TN
November 6-8, 2025: LUGPA Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL
January 10-13, 2026: Global Prostate Cancer Congress; Park City, UT
March 6-7, 2026: Resident Summit & Job Fair; Philadelphia, PA
March 27-28, 2026: Regional Meeting; Fort Lauderdale, FL
April 9-11, 2026: Ambulatory Surgery Center Academy; Rosemont, IL
June 19-20, 2026: Regional Meeting and Advanced Practice Providers Forum; Las Vegas, NV
November 5-7, 2026: LUGPA Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL
»» Visit LUGPA.org/Events for details.
Citation: Kirschner C, Sellinger S. LUGPA news. Rev Urol. 2025;24(2):e21-e22.
Corresponding author: Celeste Kirschner, CEO, LUGPA, 875 N Michigan Ave, #3100, Chicago, IL 60611 (ckirschner@lugpa.org)