The UroGators, as the official alumni society of the University of Florida (UF) Department of Urology, serves to support and promote the advancement of urologic education for residents and members, to enhance fellowship and communication between current and former residents, fellows, and faculty, and to serve as advisors to UF’s Department of Urology.
The UroGators Alumni Society was formally established in 2007 under the auspices and support of the newly formed (2005) UF Department of Urology. UroGators represents a rebirth of the Urology Foundation fostered by former division chief Dr. David Drylie in the early 1970s and represents over six decades of UF Urology residents, fellows and faculty.
Established UroGators annual events include: the UF Department of Urology/UroGators Alumni Reception held in conjunction with the American Urological Association Meeting, the UF Urology Resident Graduation Banquet and the David M. Drylie, MD, Visiting Professorship Lecture and Reception. Plans are currently in place to renew the AUA meeting reception tradition next year in Washington DC. Watch for our News from UF Health Urology, Gator Bites | News from the UroGators Alumni Society and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all UroGators activities. Through the generosity of the Department, we have grown interest and participation every year.
Proud UroGators have continued to make significant contributions to our profession and to their communities across the nation. As alumni, we were afforded a multitude of professional and personal opportunities from our shared time at UF. Through your generosity, we continue to serve as patrons of the Resident Education Fund. The David M. Drylie, M.D. Visiting Professorship is permanently and fully endowed as the result of generous gifting from many UroGators. The same unique philanthropic spirit resulted in the full funding of the Birdwell Finlayson Research Professorship.
UroGators generosity was again readily apparent at the March 27-29, 2025, Visiting Professorship which featured Dr. Lee Zhao from
NYU. The Visiting Professor/UroGators Alumni Weekend is a vital part of our department. It exposes our residents to thought leaders from around the country and enhances UF Urology’s reputation and national prestige. The scholarly activity was followed by a Friday night reception at the Touchdown Terrace located in the north endzone at “The Swamp” and a brunch, for alumni and their families, at J.B. Mason’s farm on Saturday. The reception also served as a retirement event from my clinical practice as I transition to AUA President-Elect duties in 2026. Departmental Chairman, Li-Ming Su, very graciously served as planner and master of ceremonies. Nearly 30 former UF urology residents returned not only in person but with their checkbooks. The event raised over $200,000 for the UroGator alumni fund which will support alumni and resident activities into the future which includes the renewal of the AUA annual meeting reception in 2026. I am touched and humbled beyond expression by this outreach. The relationship between the department and its alumni base is vital and invigorating. My sincere appreciation to all.
Information for all activities can be found by visiting https://bit.ly/34MlZpx. UF Urology Gainesville is, in many ways, your home away from home. We hope to see all of you again soon.https://urology.ufl.edu/2023/05/15/the-2023-david-m-drylie-md-visiting-professorship-lecture-urogators-alumni-weekend-october-5-8-2023/
I humbly restate that I am proud to serve and to represent a truly special group of friends and professionals that share a common Gainesville past. As I transition to new roles over the next year, I have asked J.B. Mason (residency graduate 2016 and chief of service Gainesville VAH), to assume the role of UroGators President. He is incredibly connected to our past and to our future. Please welcome him to this new role as well.
Thomas F. Stringer, MD
UroGators President
Associate Chair of Philanthropy and Alumni Affairs
UF Department of Urology
