Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I currently live in Salisbury in the UK, an area that has been central within my training rotations.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am a consultant in Poole Hospital in Dorset on the south coast of the UK. I am a newly appointed consultant in general gynaecology and obstetrics with a specialist interest in Urogynecology.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA 3 years ago when I entered the senior part of my specialist training and developed my interest in Urogynecology.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

I enjoyed being a part of the team from the UK that participated in the very raining IUGA fun run in Vienna.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy running, baking and sewing when I am not spending time with my family.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I moved to Rochester, New York, USA in 2018 to join the faculty after graduating from Fellowship.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I joined the University of Rochester as an Assistant Professor in 2018, and I'm also currently the Assistant Program Director of our FPMRS Fellowship.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I first joined IUGA in 2017 during my FPMRS Fellowship at Mayo Clinic. I enjoy learning from a diverse, international community of pelvic floor experts to provide high quality, evidence based patient care.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

As a Fellow, I attended the 42nd Annual Meeting in Vancouver, and my co-fellows and I assisted John Gebhart, MD on a Vaginal Uterosacral Suspension during a Cadaveric Live Surgery Session.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

I have a 17 month old daughter, so it's been a while since I've seen a movie! My husband and I snuck away to see the Hamilton musical when it toured in Rochester, NY and we loved it!

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy running, hiking, and traveling.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

My husband and I are learning American Sign Language with our 17 month old daughter.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

Australia. How can anyone say no the beautiful beach and weather here?

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

Currently a Urogynaecology Fellow in the middle of my training. Life is a wonderful balance of surgical exposure and translational science research!

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

Joined as a junior resident for more international views on urogynacology and never looked back!

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Receiving the scientific research grant from IUGA was a definite highlight. I'm sure there will be more memorable times to come!

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I have recently returned to Auckland, New Zealand, having completed my Urogynecology training in Auckland and Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Auckland and having lived away from home for the majority of my training and career to date, I was excited to have the opportunity to return home to be closer to my family.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

This year I completed the clinical component of my Urogynecology Fellowship training, and have commenced a Consultant Urogynecology position at North Shore Hospital in Auckland.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

During my training I was mentored by Dr. Lynsey Hayward, the IUGA president at the time. She encouraged me to join IUGA to develop connections within the International Urogynecology community.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Attending conferences and meeting other colleagues has led to a better understanding of how other Urogynecology units practice and what research is being performed internationally. Being a member of the Fellows Committee has been a rewarding experience and I have enjoyed getting to know the other Fellows who are at a similar stage in their careers.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/county) and how you ended up in this location.

I live in Austin, Texas, USA. I'm in my last year of fellowship in Temple, Texas nearby.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I'm a Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery clinical fellow at Baylor Scott & White. I'm in my 3rd year of a 3 year fellowship which I started after residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology. My research focuses on overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined as a first year fellow. My mentors are all members and I was using the IUGA website for learning resources.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Attending the IUGA conference in Vienna 2018 where I met many great people.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I currently live in London, UK. I moved here to start my training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and have stayed to undertake further research in the field of Urogynaecology.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am currently a clinical research fellow at University College London Hospital's Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Unit. I started this post after five years of general O+G training and I am registered as a doctoral student at University College London where I am completing an MD thesis looking at the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA in 2015 when I was working for Professor Linda Cardozo at King's College Hospital. She hugely inspired me to take interest in the field and IUGA offered an opportunity to do this on an international level with exposure to the frontiers of pelvic floor medicine and surgery.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Nice, France, IUGA meeting 2015. My first IUGA exposure, lucky enough to present some work and I met lots of wonderful people while enjoying some great food and socializing.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

The Universe in Your Hand by Christophe Galfard. An exceptionally humbling read.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Travelling, cooking, and eating.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

Melbourne, Australia. Came here to do a Urogynaecology fellowship and never went back!

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist and Pelvic floor surgeon. Mercy Health, Melbourne, Victoria. Worked here for the last 3.5 years. Areas of focus and research are pelvic floor dysfunction.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I was looking for resources and training opportunities in Urogynaecology and IUGA is the perfect platform for this!

What has been your most rewarding and memorable IUGA experience?

Getting the IUGA clinical fellowship grant for 2013 which gave me the opportunity to do a year of Urogynaecology fellowship in the UK. Also getting the best abstract prize for Physician in training at the annual conference in Vienna 2018.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

Last book: Sapiens. Last movie: documentary called 'First Footprints' which tells the stories of the indigenous Australian settlers. Highly recommend both.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Hobbies are: Staying fit, travelling, and reading.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I am big time into weightlifting (Olympic style weightlifting). I love the sport and compete too.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I live and work in Vienna (Austria) which is also my home town. Besides temporary stays abroad in France, Switzerland and Tunisia, I completed my medical studies and training at the Medical University of Vienna.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am a clinical resident at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical University of Vienna. I acquired a PhD in the field of urogynecology where I researched the etiology of stress urinary incontinence by applying proteomic and genetic analyses.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA in the first year of my PhD curriculum in 2014 in order to be able to network on an international level, to learn from others and to present and re-evaluate my own research.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Every IUGA International Meeting is a memorable experience for me.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

Christchurch, New Zealand I am currently studying medicine at the University of Otago and am based in Christchurch for my 3 clinical years.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

Medical Student

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I have previously attended a couple of conferences as a tag along and helped out with FIUGA activities. I am now joining as a student rep.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Vienna conference

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Music

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

Montreal, Canada. Undertaking final year of Urogynaecology fellowship

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

Urogynaecology fellow at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. This is my 3rd and final year of subspecialty fellowship. Prior to this I undertook 2 years of fellowship at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

Back in 2016, when I decided to make urogynaecology my career path

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Being a member of the Fellows Committee and making some great mates!

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

The Wabi-Sabi House: The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty I'd absolutely recommend this read!

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Anything water - swimming, diving, kayaking, surfing

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I love kayak endurance races along rivers that take 2 days of paddling and you need to camp by the river for the night half way through

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I currently live in Salisbury, UK and work in Hampshire.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am in my final year of Obstetrics and Gynaecology training, specializing in Vaginal Surgery and Urogynaecology.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA 4 years ago when my interest in Urogynaecology was sparked. Initially I joined prior to attending the AGM but am now involved in the Fellows, Trainees, and Early Career Professionals Committee.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Meeting people at the IUGA meeting in Vienna and being part of the first Fellow's webinar.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy baking, sewing, paddle boarding, and walking with my family and dog.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

Born and bred in London, UK

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am an obstetric and gynecology trainee in London with an interest in urogynaecology. Currently, I have been working as a urogynaecology clinical research fellow for the last year and a half focusing on a microbiome project at Imperial College London.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined 2 years ago as thought it would be a great way to meet like minded trainees, develop my knowledge of urogynaecology and be exposed to the most up to date research and training.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

The Fellows stream and social at IUGA 2018 Vienna really motivated me with my own research project. It was a great place to get practical advice that I was able to use straight away.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Yes, a wonderfully written series of books!

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love to dance, whether its prancing around my front room or attending classical Indian dance classes. I relax to music and every now and again need to lose myself to a good thriller of a book.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

South London, England.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am currently a trainee, having recently completed a clinical research fellowship with Miss. Thakar and Mr. Sultan. My areas of interest are endoanal and pelvic floor scanning.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

Having attended my first IUGA conference in Nice, I realized what a wonderful family IUGA was. I have been provided with opportunities to meet fellow peers and a platform to discuss and learn all things necessary.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Being part of the team hosting the first IUGA Allied Professionals Symposium earlier this year. It was a resounding success. It was exciting to hear topics discussed amongst such varied professionals, emphasizing one of the amazing things about urogynaecology being it's multidisciplinary nature.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy anything outdoors from skiing and snowboarding, hiking or netball to playing in the park with my son.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I have done audiobook narration for over 20 children's books.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I live in the Gold Coast, Australia and moved here to complete my Urogynecology fellowship.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am a 2nd year Urogynecology Fellow at Gold Coast Hospital and an obstetrician gynecologist. I am completing a 3 year Urogynecology subspecialty training program.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA about 3 years ago when I decided to subspecialize in Urogynecology as I felt it was a great platform to connect with specialists and peers with similar specialty interests and to be more involved in research and education.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Being part of the IUGA Fellows and Trainees committee!

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly - great detective novel; would definitely recommend it.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Tell us where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

My motherland is Lithuania, but the last 15 years I have been living in Denmark. Here I have finished my medical education including my residency.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I have finished my residency in 2015. Since I have been working in an urogynaecological team. In 2017 I have started subspecialist training programme in urogynaecology, which lasts 3 years. So I am almost done with that.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA in 2016, because my mentor invited my to join her to attend the Annual IUGA meeting.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

The most memorable IUGA experience - my first podium oral presentation to hundreds of people :)