David Ralph New ESGURS Chairman
The ESGURS board nominated Prof. David Ralph as its next Chairman, effective following the 34th Annual EAU Congress in Barcelona.
In one of the many new developments at ELUTS18, ESGURS Chairman Dr. Djinovic (Belgrade, RS) announced that he would not be seeking re-election after his first term finishes in the spring of 2019. The ESGURS board nominated Prof. David Ralph (London, GB) as its next Chairman, effective following the 34th Annual EAU Congress in Barcelona (15-19 March).
Dr. Djinovic explains his decision: “It may seem unusual that I’m not continuing after my first term, but I don’t think it would be fair to my colleagues. If you consider our career span of 25-30 years, I don’t feel I can occupy eight years of this period when I have so many worthy colleagues. I think it’s fair to give this opportunity to other colleagues to try and bring some changes about for the section. I don’t believe that I’m the only one who could achieve this, it can always be better.”
EAU Secretary General Chapple (Sheffield, GB) also commented on the changing of the guard at the EAU Section for Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons: “It’s up to all of the EAU’s sections to be self-governing. There has been a vote within the section. Dr. Djinovic has done a fantastic job in his first term, and has found that due to other commitments he wishes to pass the position on to Prof. Ralph.”
An experienced surgeon
Prof. Ralph is a consultant urologist and honorary lecturer at University College London Hospitals and an expert in male reconstructive urology, particularly ED and penile disorders and gender assignment issues. He is currently president of the Sexual Advice Association, and previously held positions as President of the European Society for Sexual Medicine, Chair of the International Consultation of Sexual Medicine and board member of the European Society of Andrological Urology.
Prof. Chapple commended Ralph’s career and reputation: “I know David Ralph very well. We have worked together for 30 years, and he is an extremely professional and experienced colleague, and a true international opinion leader in his field. He is well-respected and has excellent organisation skills.”
Dr. Djinovic also praised his successor: “David is obviously an experienced surgeon, with a great team in London. He is very open-minded and collaborates well with everybody. He puts the interests of the group ahead of his personal interests, a good quality for a chairman.”
“I firmly believe that he will continue my work for ESGURS in the same or in a better way. I will give him my full support and share my experience with him so that ESGURS can continue its activities at full strength.”
