LUGPA, Chicago, Illinois

Prostate Cancer Experts Convene at LUGPA’s First Global Congress

LUGPA’s first Global Prostate Cancer Congress took place January 18-21, 2025, at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho. More than 170 people attended.

The Global Prostate Cancer Congress provided a comprehensive overview of best practices in the prevention, detection, management, and treatment of prostate cancer. The program was designed by LUGPA in conjunction with Specialty Networks as a live in-person meeting to serve an audience of urology and oncology learners. This continuing medical education program covered the latest research and cutting-edge topics in prostate cancer and provided an opportunity to network, ski, and enjoy resort activities. Participants were offered up to 9.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits.

A highlight of the event was the Fireside Chat with E. David Crawford, MD; J. Curtis Nickel, MD; and patient Tim Coughlin, along with Reena Cherry, a physician assistant who focuses on caregivers. They engaged in an intricate and deeply personal dialogue about the experiences of individuals with advanced prostate cancer and their caregivers as well as the interplay of treatment decisions, side effects, and quality of life. Mr Coughlin shared his own journey with cancer, bringing an added layer of authenticity and vulnerability to the conversation. Dr Nickel, who also has had prostate cancer, uniquely embodies the dual perspective of being both a urologist and a patient. He discussed his vulnerabilities as a physician while balancing his own experiences with prostate cancer. The session blended humor, candid reflection, and insightful questions about care approaches and emotional dynamics, emphasizing the importance of support networks and multidisciplinary collaboration.

LUGPA members can access slides and recordings from the meeting at www.lugpa.org/presentation-archives. To see photos from the event, check out #LUGPAgpcc on social media.

LUGPA’s Second Ambulatory Surgery Center Academy to Be Held in Scottsdale

LUGPA’s Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Academy will be held May 29-31, 2025, at the Scottsdale Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The event will highlight important clinical and administrative considerations involved with developing and sustaining a safe, efficient, and high-quality ASC. Sessions will cover topics on staffing, regulatory compliance, and the pearls and pitfalls of various procedures performed in an ASC.

This program was developed to benefit practices that may be considering developing an ASC as well as practices that currently have an ASC.

To learn more, visit www.lugpa.org/asc-academy.

Driving Change for Independent Practices at Third Community Practice Summit

On January 25, 2025, LUGPA participated in the Third Community Practice Summit, bringing stakeholders together to address pressing health care challenges and advocacy priorities.

The event began with a pre-summit dinner featuring US Representative Greg Murphy, MD, a practicing urologist and senior legislator. As a member of the US House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee and co-chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus, Representative Murphy highlighted challenges facing community practices, including Medicare reimbursement, access to innovative therapies, and regulatory reforms. He emphasized advocacy for key legislation, such as HR 6683 (stabilizing Medicare physician payments), HR 5391/S 2764 (protecting access to cancer therapies), and HR 5526/S 3458 (restoring in-office dispensing).

Representative Murphy also touched on broader issues affecting independent practices, including

• the unsustainable nature of Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts and calls for payment rates tied to inflation and reforms to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015;
• the harmful implications of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 on cancer care and his efforts to mitigate its impact through targeted legislation;
• the need for site-neutral payment reforms to ensure fairness and sustainability across care settings; and
• his advocacy for curbing health care consolidation, expanding residency programs, and addressing workforce shortages to protect the future of private practices.

The summit concluded with a collaborative discussion to identify top advocacy priorities, including pharmacy benefit management reform, Medicare Physician Fee Schedule updates, and addressing the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on patient care. Members were encouraged to engage in collective outreach and advocacy efforts, share resources, and amplify their voices in shaping health care policy.

For more details about the summit, visit www.lugpa.org/third-community-practice-summit.

Upcoming LUGPA Events

Don’t miss these upcoming LUGPA events, which provide opportunities to exchange ideas and network!

May 29-31, 2025: 2025 Ambulatory Surgical Center Academy; Scottsdale, Arizona

June 20-21, 2025: Boston Regional Meeting; Boston, Massachusetts

October 16-18, 2025: Bladder & Kidney Cancer Academy; Nashville, Tennessee

November 6-8, 2025: LUGPA Annual Meeting; Chicago, Illinois

Visit LUGPA.org/Events for details.