David Horovitz, MD is a board‑certified urologist and robotic‑surgery innovator who serves California’s Central Valley with advanced treatment for kidney, prostate, bladder, and ureteral disease. From outpatient laser lithotripsy to complex robot‑assisted radical cystectomy, his Bakersfield practice emphasizes minimally invasive techniques that shorten recovery and safeguard healthy tissue. Dr. Horovitz earned his medical degree at the University of Western Ontario, completed a University of Toronto urology residency, and pursued an Endourological Society fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center. A Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a Diplomate of the American Board of Urology, he holds staff privileges at Adventist Health Bakersfield, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Mercy Hospitals Truxtun and Southwest, and Millennium Surgery Center—credentials that underscore his authority on urologic training and certification.
The American Urological Association (AUA) upholds high standards in fellowship training and certification, ensuring that urologists receive structured, competency-based education aligned with evolving medical advances. The AUA oversees various urological societies to offer subspecialty fellowship programs to graduated urologists. These programs combine clinical training with academic development, offering comprehensive education in both surgical and nonsurgical approaches.
Subspecialty fellowship programs provide advanced instruction and training in various niche areas of urology including minimally invasive techniques, oncology treatments, and reconstructive procedures. By maintaining stringent educational standards, specialists become well-prepared to integrate emerging technologies while delivering the highest quality patient care. Some urological societies that offer such educational programs are the Endourology Society, the Society of Urological Oncology, the Society for Pediatric Urology, the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction, and the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction.
The accreditation process emphasizes hands-on experience under expert mentorship, covering patient evaluation, surgical techniques, and evidence-based treatments. Fellows in urologic oncology refine their skills in robotic-assisted surgery, targeted therapies, and minimally invasive tumor removal. Pediatric urology programs focus on congenital conditions and surgical correction, while reconstructive urology fellowships develop expertise in complex reconstructions and prosthetics. These structured programs cultivate advanced technical skills and clinical decision-making abilities.
Recognizing the rapid evolution of medical technology, the individual societies collaborate with institutions to establish standardized training guidelines. Recommendations for the number and types of procedures performed in these various programs ensure that fellows and practicing urologists can adopt new techniques while maintaining high safety and quality standards. By setting clear educational benchmarks, the societies align fellowship programs with modern advances in patient care.
Research is also a fundamental aspect of accredited fellowships. Fellows participate in groundbreaking studies that contribute to the development of novel therapies, surgical advances, and enhanced patient management strategies. By fostering research-driven training, the AUA supports the continuous evolution of urology as a specialty.
Beyond fellowship training, the AUA leads in continuing medical education (CME). Through workshops, online courses, and research publications, it offers ongoing professional development opportunities, helping urologists stay current with evolving treatments, patient management strategies, and surgical innovations. CME programs reinforce core competencies while enabling physicians to refine techniques and integrate new methodologies into practice.
The AUA’s annual meetings serve as a global platform for knowledge exchange, bringing together specialists to discuss clinical research, case studies, and technological advances. These events feature hands-on training sessions, keynote lectures, and expert-led discussions on topics such as robotic-assisted surgery, telemedicine, and precision medicine. By offering specialized learning resources, including certification programs and live surgical demonstrations, the AUA fosters a culture of lifelong learning.
As medical technology reshapes the field, the AUA remains committed to integrating innovations into training. Fellowship programs now incorporate AI-driven diagnostics, advanced imaging techniques, and minimally invasive procedures. Robotic surgery has become a cornerstone of urologic education, ensuring that specialists master cutting-edge techniques before entering independent practice. The inclusion of telemedicine training further equips urologists to deliver remote patient care effectively.
As the governing body for urology fellowship training, the AUA upholds the highest standards in medical education. Its dedication to accreditation, comprehensive training, and ongoing professional development ensures that specialists are equipped to provide high-quality patient care. Through structured learning programs, CME initiatives, and technological integration, the AUA reinforces its leadership in urology education and certification.
By maintaining a forward-thinking approach, the AUA prepares future generations of urologists to navigate technological advances, refine surgical techniques, and advance patient-centered care. This commitment ensures that urologists continue to set new benchmarks in medical excellence while driving progress in the field.