It is with immense sadness that the IUGA Board must inform the membership and greater urogynecology community of the passing of former IUGA President Paul Riss.
Paul served as IUGA President from 2005–2006 and was awarded the IUGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of the International Urogynecology Journal (IUJ) from 2011 to 2017, alongside Peter Dwyer, helping to guide and strengthen the journal during those years.
On behalf of the entire IUGA Family, we extend our deepest condolences to Paul’s family, friends, colleagues, and former trainees. His leadership, scholarship, and dedication to urogynecology will be remembered with great respect, and he will be greatly missed.
Anna Rosamilia, IUGA President (2025–2026)
Below, we share tributes reflecting on Paul’s life, work, and lasting impact on our community.
Dr. Paul Riss will be remembered with deep respect by colleagues around the world. He was an outstanding physician and a remarkable academic whose dedication and contributions left a lasting mark on our field.
My late husband, Dr. Oscar Contreras Ortiz, had the privilege of knowing and working with him and always spoke of Dr. Riss with great respect.
He will be greatly missed. - Claudia R. A. Contreras Ortiz
I personally knew Prof. Paul Riss, thanks to Prof. Rajamaheswari and her workshops and URPSSI CONFERENCES. Have learnt much from him. Was overwhelmed by his humane side when he and George Ralf came down for an operative workshop to SCB Medical College not accepting travel support and on the contrary donating suture materials,instruments to the department. He personally donated a Toshiba Lap top for my village school. I have been in touch with him up to mid 2025. He was deeply spiritual too. Praying for the Lord for taking loving care during his afterlife journey ...Quoting Sri Aurobindo 'One is not dead...only departed ' Paul's values and expertise can never die. - Shyama Kanungo
There aren’t really any words; except that Paul was a wonderful man and good friend. He did so much for IUGA, and on a personal level I’ll be forever grateful for his help and advice over the years. RIP my friend. – Bob Freeman
My wife Robin and I extend our condolences to the entire Riss family on Paul's passing. I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Paul since the very early days of IUGA. Paul voluntarily took on every role in the society, whether it be as a member of a committee, chairing a committee, chairing an annual meeting or editing the IUJ, being on the executive and ultimately being president.
He always completed each of these tasks with his soft spoken kindness, amazing competency and efficiency. In 1996 he chaired the AGM in Vienna and came to pick us up at the airport and when he saw all my wife's luggage he jokingly said, "Robin, I didn't know you were moving to Vienna". At the IUGA meetings I chaired in Toronto, Paul had always been a welcomed guest in our home. Rest in peace special man, your memory will forever be a blessing. – Harold Drutz
There’s no way to forget my first contact with Paul. It was at the IUGA Annual Meeting in Brisbane in 2012.
At the IUJ Editor-in-Chief, Paul approached me and asked me to sit with him on the curb by the beach so we could talk. I was still a junior at the time and was being considered to join the team of associate editors of the IUJ…
Such simplicity, charisma, and a lovely kindness… I learned so much from Paul, both personally and professionally. An incredible human being and an admirable leader.
My gratitude and respect always. Rest in peace. - Maria Bortolini
This is indeed very sad news. I have known Paul Riss for many years, and he invited me several times to give presentations on the evidence for pelvic floor muscle training. He highly recommended conservative treatment as first line treatment and was a true advocate for high quality research and evidence based practice. - Kari Bø
Prof Paul Riss – Legend of Urogynecology
Prof Paul Riss was born on 05.02.1948 and left for his heavenly abode on 03.03.2026. He was MD (Obs & Gyn), Master of Advanced Studies (Hospital Management) by qualification and worked as Senior Professor, Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
As an administrator he officiated up to the highest post of International urogynecological Association (IUGA) as its President from 2005-2006 and did many development of the association.
He was joint Editor-in-Chief of International Urogynecology Journal (IUJ) from 2011-2016 alongwith Prof Peter Dwyer. During his tenure, the IUJ was totally reshaped and achieved the status of a reputed international journal by focusing on three aspects - article types and mix of articles, manuscript management, and downloads & citations. Various new types of articles were introduced e.g. Video articles, Urogynecology Digest, Mentors in Urogynecology, and Images in Urogynecology. The typical period from acceptance to electronic publication with a DOI came down to 25 days, and the first decision after manuscript submission could be conveyed in 31 days. Average citation of every article had increased to 1.5. Overall, a golden era of IUJ.
IUGA Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon him in 2018 because of his illustrious career in Urogynecology.
I met him at Chennai, India during our annual live operative workshop of URPSSI (Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Society of India). Every year he used to come to Chennai on invitation from Prof N Rajamaheswari, President, URPSSI. I used to attend this annual live operative workshop regularly since 2009. There, I got the opportunity to meet Sir every year whenever he came. His clinical approach to the patient and judgement in complex cases were praiseworthy. His operating hand was just like an artist, as if a painter was giving his finest touch with his painting brush, each move was precise with a meaning behind it – so marvellous.
I am fortunate to have had direct interaction and a mentor-mentee relationship with Prof Paul Riss while writing the textbook “Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery” published by Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd. India, currently 2nd edition running, ISBN 978-93-5696-223-1. He had written the most admiring forwarding letter of the book which has added another feather to the cap of the book.
The first chapter “Anatomy of Pelvic Floor” is written according to the teaching concept of Prof Paul Riss. In fact, it is the replica of Sir’s lecture on Pelvic floor anatomy. His teaching approach to pelvic floor anatomy rules out the jugglery of the topic. Many pictures in this chapter were provided by him. After penning the chapter, I had sent it to him putting his name as the first author & mine as the second author. He had checked the manuscript and sent back with his valuable comments. He also advised to change his name from first position to second position as I took the initiative to write his lectures in chapter form – such was his humility.
The graphical representation of POP-Q demonstration is the concept of Prof Paul Riss which has made understanding this complex concept easier. His practical demonstration of POP-Q using Christmas cap is a groundbreaking phenomenon. He was a born teacher. His teaching was so lucid that makes any difficult topic a piece of cake. One example of his lucid teaching - easy way to find out point ‘D’ in prolapse is to look for attachment of uterosacral ligament in the prolapsed organ and take the measurement from there to hymen to know the value of ‘D’ – amazing.
When I had applied for the position of one of the Editor of IUJ in 2018, Prof Paul Riss had written the recommendation letter for me. It was an excellent note. I learned yet another thing from him – how to write a recommendation letter.
Lost my mentor, born teacher, perfect clinician & surgeon, gentleman - overall a fatherly figure.
May his journey to Heavenly Abode become peaceful. - Manidip Pal
In memoriam Paul Riss
To remember Paul, I like to speak a few personal words but also official word on behalf of Dr. Anna Rosamilia from Melbourne (Australia) who is current the President of IUGA, the International Urogynecology Association.
Paul and I met for the first time at the IUGA Annual Meeting in Toronto in 1994 and 1995 in Kuala Lumpur. We were both involved in organizing urogynecological care in our countries. We were inspired by IUGA and organized an IUGA meeting first in Vienna in 1996 and in 1997 in Amsterdam. A good long-lasting friendship was the result of our close cooperation. It was also an inspiring time as new diagnostic tools and treatments in urogynecology were developed.
We both became involved in the organization of IUGA and served in several of its committees.
Paul served in the IUGA Executive Boards for 8 years and was president in 2005 and 2006.
When Paul was president, he took a major initiative by organizing at least one executive board meeting a year in the country of the president. An elegant way of learning about his country and his background.
At that time together with Dr. Engelbert Hanzel also from Vienna they developed the IUGA Exchange program, a teaching program in countries where urogynecology was in a developing stage. A novel approach in teaching as at least half of the speakers should be from the country where the course was.
But Paul’s major contributions didn’t stop here. Together with Professor Peter Dwyer from Melbourne, he as for 5 years Chief Editor of our International Urogynescology Journal.
In 2018 here at that IUGA meeting in Vienna Paul received IUGA’s life-time achievement award for all his major contributions to IUGA
During all these years Paul and I have become very good friends and so have our spouses. We spend a lot of holidays together after IUGA meetings, but also numerous joinable moments together here in Vienna and at our home in Holland.
A long-lasting professional relationship ends here. We will miss an at times shy but nevertheless eloquent colleague. Many IUGA members will miss a very reliable and good friend.
For you Jutta the loss of Paul is an intense pain. Do realize that in due time the many sweet memories will replace the pain and stay forever.
I like to offer IUGA’s and my personal condolences to Christoph, Dominik, Gregor, Bernadette and their spouses. But also, to Paul’s many grandchildren of whom he was proud and talked so much about.
May Paul rest in peace. - Harry Vervest
It is with great sadness that I pay tribute to Professor Paul Riss, a past President of the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA), whose legacy has left an enduring mark on our global community.
Professor Riss was a true gentleman—gracious, insightful, and deeply knowledgeable. He was widely respected not only for his clinical and academic excellence, but also for his integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to advancing women’s health.
He was a mentor and supporter to many across the world. His encouragement played a pivotal role in shaping future leaders, including my own journey to becoming President of IUGA—something for which I will always remain profoundly grateful.
Beyond his professional achievements, Professor Riss valued personal connections and friendships. I fondly remember his visit to my family in India, which reflected his warmth and genuine interest in people and cultures.
His contributions to urogynecology and to IUGA will not be forgotten. He inspired a generation of clinicians and leaders, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come. - Ranee Thakar