by Chris Shenep, Director of the Arkansas Urology Foundation & Marketing
Since 1996, Arkansas Urology has been the state’s premier urology practice, providing comprehensive treatment services to men and women of all ages. Over the years, we have been committed to providing Arkansans with the latest innovations in medical technology and surgical techniques to our patients through our commitment to urological specialties. Our physicians and professional staff comprise one of the most experienced and respected urological practices in the country as we treat approximately 110,000 patients a year at 14 facilities across the state.
In November of 2019, I was honored to join the AU team and begin building the Arkansas Urology Foundation from the ground up. It’s been an exciting time. It’s a privilege to raise funds and heighten awareness for the programs and services of Arkansas Urology.
Over two years ago, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to join Arkansas Urology, which is so well-known and has changed so many lives across Arkansas. They wanted to build a foundation from the ground up to do things here that have never been done. I think it really shows the vision of our leadership and our physicians from a philanthropic standpoint.
In addition to other programming, the nonprofit foundation focuses on providing free health screenings to men across the state. Shenep said the potential impact of events, such as Kickoff to Men’s Health, has proven nothing short of lifesaving for a handful of men every year. With the support of the foundation, those efforts can expand alongside other events.
Guys are so bad about going to the doctor generally, so the last thing we want is to have a guy prevented from coming to see us due to the cost of an exam. You look at the history of Kickoff to Men’s Health over the past 17 years, and the number of men we’ve screened for free is impressive.
What’s most gratifying aren’t the hundreds who check out OK, but the one where we found something on one of their tests and started that treatment conversation. Sooner or later, that could be cancer. If it’s not caught early enough, that’s when it really gets serious.
To find out ways to support the AU Foundation, including fundraising events and remembering the organization in your will or other estate planning, please visit arkansasurology.com/foundation.
1300 Centerview Drive, Little Rock | 877-321-8452 | arkansasurology.com
