The SMSNA values the feedback we receive from our members, and we have heard that you would like to hear more about what the society is doing. Therefore, we are launching the SMSNA Today newsletter to keep members informed about society updates, what our committees are doing, member highlights, and important dates. Watch for the SMSNA Today in your inbox each month and note that as a member you can also submit ideas to this newsletter such as professional recognition/promotions, job openings, etc. (See footer for more information).

All members should take advantage of the Find-a-Provider healthcare provider directory! As awareness of sexual health and care in sexual medicine increases, more and more people (and even companies) are linking to the SMSNA Find-a-Provider directory to search for professionals in their area. To see what a completed profile looks like CLICK HERE and to update or activate your profile, sign-in to your member account HERE.

In October 2022, the new SMSNA Executive Committee and Board members began their terms, including:

Mohit Khera, MD, MBA, MPH
President

Tobias S. Köhler, MD, MPH, FACS
President Elect

Landon W. Trost, MD
Secretary

Christian Nelson, PhD
Treasurer

Serge Carrier, MD, FRCS(C), MMgmt
Past President

Helen L. Bernie, DO, MPH
Amy M. Pearlman, MD
Matt Ziegelmann, MD
Members at Large

Carol Ann Podlasek, PhD
Basic Science Committee Chair

Lawrence Jenkins, MD, MBA, FACS
Meeting Committee Chair

Daniel N. Watter, PhD, EdD, IF
Mental Health Committee Chair

Allen F. Morey, MD, FACS
Surgical Committee Chair

Faysal A. Yafi, MD, FRCSC
Website Committee Chair

The SMSNA President-Elect Tobias Köhler has been appointed by the Board as the SMSNA Affiliate Society Representative to the ISSM Nominating Committee. The mission of this committee is to nominate candidate(s) if necessary for each of the Board of Directors open positions for the elections at the biennial meetings.

In collaboration with the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), SMSNA members can opt-in to a complimentary ISSWSH membership for 1 year. This promotion ends January 31, 2023 and is only available to members who are not yet a member of ISSWSH (do not have outstanding dues in 2022 and/or 2023).

Did you know that the SMSNA has 28 committees? In 2023, the SMSNA is empowering committees to set ambitious goals based on the results of a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) that was performed at a strategic planning session in 2022. The committee chairs (many of whom are newly appointed) have eagerly taken on this task. In this section of the newsletter, we will feature committees throughout the year, highlighting their progress towards these goals. CLICK HERE to explore our committees.

In 2022, the Oncosexology Committee chaired by Daniela Wittmann, PhD, LMSW collaborated with the ISSM to develop the ISSM/SMSNA Sub-Saharan Africa Training Program in Oncosexology. This course follows 3 years of SMSNA and SMSNA/ISSM-sponsored educational activities to promote sexual health and sexual medicine for clinicians in Kenya and East Africa. The current program is a collaborative effort that includes the Kenyan Society for Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and is comprised of 9 monthly sessions with the goal of training clinicians to address sexual health concerns of their cancer patients.

Denise Asafu-Adjei, MD, MPH
Maywood, IL

What inspired you to work in sexual medicine?
I was inspired initially to pursue andrology through work with my mentor, Dr. Peter Stahl, during my urology residency. After witnessing the major improvements in the quality of life of men and their partners and the unique relationships with these patients, I knew this was the field for me. I am inspired daily by my patients and strive to continue enhancing ways for men to access treatments for sexual dysfunction.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your career?
I find the significant impact on people's quality of lives very rewarding, as it permits people to optimize themselves in other facets of their lives as well. It is a privilege to help people reach these levels of happiness and satisfaction.

What is something most people don’t know about you?
I am an avid admirer of history, particularly political and war history, and love documentaries pertaining to this. I am also a big fan of professional boxing.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Lift as you climb.

What would your ideal vacation be?
I love leisure international travel and a tour of Egypt is currently my dream vacation.

Members making moves! Congratulations to Dr. Lawrence Jenkins as he moves to New Orleans to join Tulane University School of Medicine as Associate Professor and Director of Men's Health!

If you are attending the 2023 ESSM Congress, make sure to join Drs. Carrier, Khera, Köhler, Sadeghi-Nejad, and Trost, for the SMSNA Symposium with talks on the following: What really happens to the penis after prostatectomy; Innovations in penile implant reservoir placement, Update on hypogonadism guidelines and the SMSNA/AUA priapism guideline.

Attend this symposium to learn about a recent milestone study that explored the significant impact of ED drugs on men's cardiac health. There is a 50% reduction in registration fee for SMSNA members!

Now Open! The SMSNA Young Clinicians Grant (An annual grant of up to $25,000): The purpose of the research award program is to support early career investigators in pursuing clinical and/or basic research in men’s or women’s sexual health. The funding is intended to supplement research activities and conference participation to present those activities. For more information and to apply CLICK HERE.

Now Open! The SMSNA Pfizer Research Fellowship in Men’s Health (An annual grant of up to $25,000): The purpose of the fellowship program is to support clinical and/or basic research in men’s sexual health and foster development of expertise in the field of men’s health. The funding is intended to supplement post-doctoral research activities and conference participation to present those activities. For more information and to apply CLICK HERE.

Opening February 1! SMSNA Fellowship Training Program Grant for Women in Prosthetic Urology ($70,000): The SMSNA Fellowship Training Program Grant for Women in Prosthetic Urology provides institutional funding for training of a post-graduate MD who identifies as female and is seeking to develop expertise in the evaluation and surgical management of erectile dysfunction and male stress urinary incontinence. For more information CLICK HERE.

For more information on other grants in 2023 CLICK HERE.