Wake Forest Baptist Urologist Receives National Award

April 28, 2009

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Dean Assimos, M.D., a professor of urology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has received the Distinguished Past Scholar Award from the American Urological Association (AUA) Foundation. The award was based on his accomplishments in advancing new discoveries in the field of urology and being a mentor of young physician-scientists.

Assimos, vice chairman of academic affairs for the Department of Urology, and a recognized leader in the field of kidney and stone disease, was a Research Scholar from 1974-76. The program provides support to young men and women who are interested in pursuing research during their careers. More than 460 researchers have been granted research scholarships and awards through a variety of programs and fellowships.

Assimos received the award on April 27 in Chicago at the 2009 Foundation Scholars Award Breakfast.

“You have continuously provided an excellent research environment, shared your wealth of knowledge, maintained and taught others to maintain impeccable medical standards and earned the respect and admiration of the entire urologic research community, as well as the membership of the American Urological Association,” said Leo Gaimbarresi, Ph.D., director of research for the foundation, in announcing Assimos' award.

Assimos’ research focuses on learning more about how kidney stones are formed with the goal of prevention and better treatments. Assimos currently has grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct kidney stone research.
Assimos is very active clinically, treating hundreds of stone patients a year. He is part of an AUA committee that wrote the kidney stone treatment guidelines used by urologists nationwide. His practice also focuses on laparoscopy, reconstructive renal and ureteral surgery.

Assimos is a graduate of Loyola University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Northwestern University Medical Center. He completed fellowships at Bowman Gray School of Medicine, which is now Wake Forest University School of Medicine. 

Media Relations

Karen Richardson: krchrdsn@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-4453

Bonnie Davis: bdavis@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-1597