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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2012
Contact: Gina Orlando, (617) 638-8490, gina.orlando - @ - bmc.org

BUSM Urologist Elected President of Massachusetts Association of Practicing Urologists

Richard Babayan, MDRichard Babayan, MD, professor and chair of urology at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and chief of the department of urology at Boston Medical Center (BMC), was elected president of the Massachusetts Association of Practicing Urologists (MAPU), at its annual meeting on May 8.

MAPU was founded in 1986, its mission to: acquire, assemble, preserve and disseminate information about the practice of Urology; to provide accurate and reliable information pertaining to the economics of the practice of Urology; to stimulate and promote cooperation and exchange of professional information among Urologists; to provide mutual advancement and the promotion of the economic interests of Urologists; to promote and advance a mutual interest among practicing Urologists and to cultivate social intercourse among them; to acquaint and inform the public as to the objectives of the association, and to stimulate public opinion and reaction to these ends by providing information that will foster, encourage and stimulate these purposes. MAPU has distinguished itself as leader in urologic healthcare issues and patient safety.  MAPU works closely with legislators, regulators, and payers on a variety of issues that relate to urology, on behalf of patients and its members. With over 140 members throughout the Commonwealth, MAPU serves a vital role in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Having served as a Director of the MAPU Executive Committee since 1990, Babayan served as President-elect from 2010-2012. Babayan, who will serve as President for a two-year term, will assume the overall responsibility for the Association’s operations and activities, preside over the Board of Director’s meetings, and will be the Society's chief spokesperson.
Babayan has been actively involved in minimally invasive therapies within the field of urology. His clinical interests include benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, urologic oncology, and endourology. He performed the first robot assisted radical prostatectomy in Boston and is currently one of three urologic surgeons at BMC using the daVinci Robot for minimally invasive urologic procedures.

Babayan has been actively involved in local and national urologic organizations. He was the New England Section representative to the Board of Directors of the American Urological Association (AUA) from 2005-2009. He is a Past President of the New England Section of the AUA. Dr. Babayan was honored, the AUA in 2011, with a Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service to the AUA Foundation by the AUA Leadership Program and the AUA Board of Directors.

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