Essay Contests and Awards l Abstract Submission Instructions

Important Dates
Abstract Deadline: June 16, 2008
PowerPoint File Submission Deadline: September 3, 2008

An Invitation to Participate from the Program Chairman

Fred E. Govier, M.D.

Dear Colleagues, this year the Western Section American Urological Association’s 84th Annual Meeting will be held in beautiful Monterey, California on October 26 - 30, 2008 at the Portola Hotel & Spa. We are now accepting abstract submissions for the following topics: Bladder/Urethra, Calculi, Neurourology, Kidney, Pediatrics, Andrology, Incontinence/Pelvic Floor, Prostate, Testis, Ureter, and How I Do it. You may present your paper in one of the following formats: Podium or Poster, Poster Only, Round Table, Essay Contest, or DVD. We have made the online submission process quick and simple - please be sure to read the instructions page first and then go to the submission form to input your data. If you have not presented at a Western Section meeting before, you can expect a large audience of approximately 300-400 urologists. There will be many excellent presenters, state of the art speakers and moderators energizing and directing each of the sessions.

PowerPoint Presentations
All paper presentations will be given digitally by Microsoft PowerPoint via Laptop computer. It will be required that all presenters submit their PowerPoint presentation prior to the Annual Meeting. This is necessary so that all presentations are assembled in order and tested to output properly to avoid technical glitches at the time of presentation. Presenters will be able to make minor adjustments up to 24 hours in advance of their presentation time.

Urology Review Courses
Another highlight of the meeting, will include Postgraduate Review and Examination Preparation Courses (PREP-C). These comprehensive urology review courses will include general exam topics with 13 hours of review. The courses are geared to those physicians planning to take the In-Service Exam for re-certification, Residents preparing for the Board Review Exam, and physicians wanting an overall urology didactical review and refresher. Please take full advantage of this unique opportunity.

Program Sessions
Our sessions include: Poster Sessions, Scientific Podium Sessions, Panel Discussions, State of the Art Lectures, Round Table Program, Socioeconomic Forum and the DVD-Video Session.

Author Disclosures
All abstract submissions must include an author disclosure form. All listed authors on abstracts must complete a disclosure form as well.

Award Opportunities
Be sure to take advantage of the Western Section award opportunities. All eligible members and residents are encouraged to participate.

1) Resident Scholarship Awards: presented to one outstanding resident from each Western Section training facility provided the resident will attend the annual meeting and has been accepted to present at the annual meeting.

2) Poster Awards: presented to the outstanding posters presented for each moderated session. Session presenters are eligible to win the James L. Goebel Grand Prize Poster Award- $500 and a plaque. Overall: 2nd Place - $300, 3rd Place - $200, and best posters of each session ribbon award.

3) Round Table Awards: presented to the outstanding presentations. Presenters have the opportunity to win the Bodner-Stegemann Award and the Henry L. Hadley Award. Both winners will receive $500 and a plaque.

4) Essay Awards: awards given to the top three resident and physician submissions for the Miley B. Wesson Resident Essay Contest and the Joseph F. McCarthy/ACMI Physician Essay Contest. Contest winners will receive: 1st Place -$1000, 2nd Place - $700, 3rd Place - $300 and a plaque for each.

Deadline
June 16, 2008 is the deadline for receipt of all submissions at the Section Office. We look forward to your abstract submission to continue the excellence of our scientific program.