From left, Dr. David Joseph, Dr. Keith Lloyd, and Dr. Dean Assimos.
Earlier this year, urologist Keith Lloyd, M.D., retired from UAB after a nearly 50-year career. Lloyd—described as a pioneer in the field of urology—joined the UAB faculty in 1974, serving as a clinician, teacher and mentor and inspiring the next generation of leaders in medicine. When he joined UAB, he was one of just two urologists; that number has now risen to 15.
To honor his contributions to the university, Dean Assimos, M.D., chair of the Department of Urology, and vice chair David Joseph, M.D., created The Lloyd Society to support the Keith Lloyd, M.D., Resident Meeting Endowed Support Fund, which will support residents attending research seminars and educational meetings. Assimos said the cost of these meetings could be prohibitive—upwards of $2,000—including travel, hotel, food and registration fees. Creating The Lloyd Society to support residents’ educational and networking endeavors at these gatherings makes sense, Assimos said, as Lloyd was always a champion of residents getting the opportunity to learn, grow and network at these meetings. Assimos made the initial gift to start the fund and is encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.
“We hope to get people to come on board and donate to this and have it grow,” he said. “Keith has trained many residents and fellows in the past. He is a wonderful person who is loved by his patients, residents and the faculty he worked with. He was a go to urologist in the Southeast, able to take on the toughest cases and do great work. He was a great teacher and leader and a fantastic doctor, and many of his patients were very sad to see him retire.”
One such meeting that this will fund residents to attend is the American Urological Association’s national annual meeting, where educational and networking opportunities are plentiful. This national annual meeting had pre-COVID attendance of 15,000 to 20,000, Assimos said.
“We want to send residents to these meetings, but there are budgetary constraints,” he said. “This fund will expand the number of meetings residents can go to. It’s very important for their educational and career development."
Urology residency is five years, with three residents in each year of the UAB program.
“Obviously, we’re teachers, but I learn from residents,” he said. “It’s an interactive process, being able to teach and mentor, but also learning from them. I like an environment where trainees are inquisitive! It’s great to work with such talented people.”
After serving at UAB for 10 years, Assimos will retire on September 30, although he will remain as chair emeritus and continue to be involved in research and mentoring even after his official last day. Almost four decades have passed since Assimos was a resident, but he remembers gifts like his own to The Lloyd Society that helped propel him forward in his early years in medicine.
“I’ve benefited from such gifts of assistance, and, without them, it would have been hard to get where I’ve gotten,” he said. “I think it’s important to give back. I’m passionate about that. We have to be stewards and passionate about education, research and patient care.”
Lisa Roth, senior director of development for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, said both Assimos’ and Joseph’s lead gift is a great model of giving to advance the future.
“Philanthropy plays an important role in advancing health care,” she said. “Gifts to The Lloyd Society serve as a great example, expanding our ability to educate our next generation of urologists.”
Giving to this fund and supporting residents is even more critical now than ever, Assimos said.
“These educational opportunities are extremely important as these residents represent the future,” he said.
