Virginia Urology history

Conclusion: Since 1946, the section of Urology at the Minneapolis VA has contributed basic science, clinical technique and evidence based medicine to the field of Urology while providing care to the nation's veterans.

The medical school was housed in the Medical Sciences Building, which was opened to the first class in 1956.

1958 marked the year when the Department of Urology’s tradition of excellence in patient care, research and education began.

Historic achievements from the Minneapolis VA Section of Urology include the development of the Veteran's Affairs Cooperative Research Group (VACURG) which was instrumental to development of the Gleason grading system for prostate cancer in 1965.

The division of urology’s future as a major research center took a giant step forward in 1967, when urology chief Doctor George Miller recruited Doctor Birdwell Finlayson as the division’s third faculty member.

In 1970, the successful program gained an additional partnership with the new Malcom Randall VAMC located in Gainesville.

Doctor Miller covered the VAMC in Gainesville part time initially but in 1972 moved to the VAMC as chief of staff and chief of urology.

Urologic oncology was the second section developed within the division with the hiring of Doctor Harry Grabstald from Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City in 1979.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy was first done in the early 1990’s, after it was first described by Ralph Clayman.

Doctor Wajsman held an endowed chair and was named the Cofrin Professor of Surgery/Urology in 1992.

In 1993, the division of urology welcomed its first female resident, Doctor Dana Brand Moody.

These included being president of both the Florida Urological Society and secretary and president of the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (AUA). In 1996, Doctor Drylie orchestrated and organized one of the best, if not the best, AUA meetings ever in Orlando, Florida.

In 1997 Doctor Inoel Rivera, urologic oncology fellow, joined the oncology group following his fellowship.

In 1998, endourology evolved into a specialty, thanks to leaders like Doctor Birdwell Finlayson.

In 2003 Doctor Tisher, who had been in favor of urology becoming a department, began the process to bring this dream to fruition.

In 2004, two new faculty members were recruited to work at the Gainesville VAMC Hospital.

In 2007, Doctor Charles Rosser, was added to our expanding staff, bringing to the department his knowledge and expertise in urologic oncology.

The UroGators Alumni Society was established in 2008.

Doctor Vincent Bird joined our faculty in 2010, bringing his expertise and knowledge in the areas of urinary stone disease, renal obstruction and renal cancer to our faculty.

Doctor Thomas Stringer joined the faculty in 2011, as the medical director of the urology clinic.

The year 2012 saw the addition of the second pediatric urologist to the Department of Urology.

The year of 2013 saw the addition of more faculty members to our department.Doctor Romano DeMarco joined our faculty as our pediatric urologist.

The 2014 David M. Drylie Visiting Professor Lecture, featured Doctor David A. Diamond, Urologist-In-Chief of Boston’s Children’s Hospital.

2, 2015, was the first female resident of the UF urology program.

In April 2016, Doctor Saeed Khan received the University of Florida, College of Medicine, Lifetime Achievement Award, “In Recognition of An Extraordinary Academic Career of Leadership, Teaching, Research and Discovery.

The 2017 David M. Drylie, MD Visiting Professor/UroGators Alumni Society Weekend was held October 5-7, 2017, featuring Doctor Peter N. Schlegel, as our Visiting Professor.

November 2018 saw the addition of Urologic Oncologist, Doctor Padriac O’Malley and Joint Assistant Professor, Doctor Joe Grajo.

October 4 – 5, 2019, The UF Department of Urology and the UroGators hosted the 6th Annual David M. Drylie Visiting Professor Events with honored guest and Visiting Professor Doctor Allen Morey from UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.