In 2016, AUGS moved to a council structure to create a nimble governance structure to continue to advance the Board approved strategic plan and to support the future growth of AUGS. This structure encourages more collaboration across committees.

 

Education Council

The Education Council evaluates the needs of health care providers focused on Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery or treating women with pelvic floor disorders and develops an educational strategy which is responsive to those needs. On this council serve “big picture, visionaries” for our long-term educational strategy.

 

Education Committee

Purpose: Evaluate the educational needs of urogynecologists, gynecologists and urologists focused on FPMRS and develop programs and services that address those needs.

 

Fellowship Training Committee

Purpose: Evaluate the educational needs of FPMRS fellows and fellowship programs and develop programs and services that AUGS can provide.

 

Allied Health Committee

Purpose: Evaluate the educational needs of allied health professionals focused on FPMRS and develop programs and services that address those needs.

 

FPMRS Update Committee

Purpose: Develop a new live course that is clinically focused and assists physicians with staying informed on the latest clinical advancements in the field, as well as how to run a practice in today’s environment.

 

PFD Week Program Committee

Purpose: Maintain and enhance PFD Week, AUGS’ annual meeting, to ensure it is the leading meeting for health care professionals interested in FPMRS education. Develop programming that maximizes the attendee experience and focuses on the latest scientific and surgical advances in the field.

 

Research Council

The Research Council oversees the research initiatives, programs and services on behalf of AUGS and the subspecialty. The Council ensures an up-to-date research agenda exists for FPMRS and ensures it is used to direct the Research Registry, Networks, Foundation Grants and other AUGS programs.

 

PFD Research Registry Committee

Purpose: Oversee the current operations of the PFD Research Registry, plan for expansion and ensure that the Registry supports the research needs and strategic goals as determined by the Board of Directors. The PFD Research Registry Committee would also share information about the various registry activities and seek additional partners to conduct Industry-sponsored or other externally-sponsored studies.

 

Scientific Committee

Purpose: Support the work of the Research Council by ensuring programs are in place to support the research needs of the FPMRS community.

 

Networks Committee

Purpose: Ensure an infrastructure is in place to support multi-center research networks within AUGS and provide opportunities for AUGS members to engage in multi-center studies.

 

Terminology Committee

Purpose: The Terminology Committee serves the Society through ensuring standardized terminology exists for FPMRS. Terminology should include the definition, structure for physician-reported and patient-reported outcomes. The Committee also ensures standard terminology is utilized in AUGS generated work product (guidelines, registries, networks, ICD-10 codes, etc.)

 

Quality Council

The Quality Council oversees all the quality-related regulatory issues and initiatives on behalf of AUGS and the subspecialty. The Council ensures the standard of care is defined in FPMRS and provides tools and resources for urogynecologists to track and measure their outcomes to improve patient care.

 

Quality Committee

Purpose: Support the work of the Quality Council by ensuring programs are in place to support the quality outcome needs of the FPMRS community.

 

Quality Improvement Registry

Purpose: Support the work of the Quality Council by ensuring a registry platform exists for members to track FPMRS quality measures, as well as validate current measures, determine gaps in measures and measure testing. Currently this committee has a build work group that is overseeing the development of this registry. Once the registry is launched a formal committee will be created.

 

Quality Improvement and Outcomes Research Network (QI-ORN)

Purpose: Inform future decisions in the development and maintenance of relevant FPMRS quality measures, clinical practice guidelines, appropriate use criteria and health care policy.

 

Clinical Practice Council

The Clinical Practice Council oversees those programs and services that impact the clinical practice of FPMRS and identifies areas for improvement. The Council ensures members are provided with the necessary resources, tools and knowledge to enhance their practice and provide quality patient care taking into consideration the various regulatory changes.

 

Payment Reform Committee

Purpose: Gain expertise in the development and execution of alternative payment models as defined by CMS. Address payment reform issues as needed.

 

Coding and Reimbursement Committee

Purpose: Represent the coding and reimbursement needs of the Society. Specifically, this committee is responsible for reviewing and proposing CPT codes, ICD-codes and HCPCS codes. This committee will also address payment and coverage issues.

 

Guidelines and Position Statements Committee

Purpose: Serve the Society by developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, clinical care pathways and statements that translate existing research or clinical opinion into documents which can be referenced by health care providers caring for women with pelvic floor disorders.

 

Systematic Review Committee

Purpose:  Serve the Society by conducting systematic reviews surrounding a specific FPMRS research question identified by the AUGS Board of Directors. These systematic reviews will be used for the development of future AUGS clinical practice guidelines. 

 

Outreach Council

The Outreach Council brings together those committees that are focused on outreach to the membership and the public. The Council serves to monitor the needs of members and patients and ensures AUGS has the programs and services established to meet those needs.

 

Membership Committee

Purpose: Represents and monitors the needs of the membership and ensures a strong membership structure and benefits package.

 

Public Education Committee

Purpose: Support the Outreach Council on outreach efforts to the public about the FPMRS subspecialty and role of the urogynecologist. Ensure the seamless integration of all patient-related programs and services on behalf of AUGS.

 

Patient Work Group

Purpose: Support the work of AUGS by providing the patient perspective in AUGS-related programs and documents.

 

Special Interest Groups

Purpose: Create and foster community feeling around a designated area of interest that brings together AUGS members for information exchange and sharing.