Fellow of the Academy of Urologic Nurses & Associates

(FAUNA)

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) has established an innovative program to recognize the sustained and influential work of those members who are transforming urology nursing. This program was developed to recognize the outstanding individuals who have continued to have the vision and endurance to move SUNA forward as an organization.

The Fellow program was developed in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of SUNA in 2019, to celebrate the organization’s history and legacy, one that has actively sought to educate health care professionals to provide exemplary care for patients with urology concerns.

Current Fellows

Fellows of the Academy of Urologic Nurses and Associates are SUNA members who have made outstanding, sustained contribution to SUNA and to urology education, policy, management, clinical practice and research. Each Fellow supports the mission of SUNA and becomes a member of a pool from which the SUNA Board and conference committees can seek advice regarding local speaker recommendations, research proposals, and education offerings.

Fellows have made enduring and substantial contributions to the field of urology nursing as teachers, mentors, scholars, clinicians, public policy advocates, and administrators. They provide leadership and are recognized for their expertise in the care of urology patients, practicing to the fullest extent of their education and licensure.

A candidate for fellowship must provide evidence of substantial contributions that have contributed to the care of urology patients and supported SUNA’s Mission.

SUNA Mission

Responsibilities of SUNA Fellows

All individuals accepted as SUNA Fellows are expected to:

  • Attend future Fellow introduction ceremonies, to take place during the annual conference
  • Maintain membership in SUNA
  • Pay annual SUNA Fellow dues, a separate fee in addition to SUNA membership (Active $45; International $45; Associate $35; and Senior $22.50)
  • Participate as an active SUNA fellow in a variety of capacities, such as manuscript reviewer, author, task force member, conference presenter, national and local chapter members
  • Act as sponsors for future classes of SUNA Fellows
  • FAUNA Approved Sponsor Guidelines

Fellowship Categories

There are four distinct types of Fellowship available for SUNA members, distinguished by licensure. There is only one selection cycle per year, and applicants will be selected based on the strength of their application and supporting letters.

Credentials

All individuals accepted as Fellows of the Academy of Urologic Nurses and Associates will be granted use of the following credentials, as long as they remain in good standing with the Fellowship program: FAUNA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Review Answers to FAQs about FAUNA

Application Process

Individuals who wish to apply for Fellowship must submit an application on or before July 1 of each year. An application is complete only if all required documentation is provided and the required personal statements are included. This includes nominator statements from a FAUNA member, and a supporting letter from a colleague with whom you work that can attest to your enduring and substantial contributions over time to the care of urology patients. A $40 application fee applies and must be submitted along with the completed application for consideration.

Submit Application Online
(Note: SUNA member login required)

Receive a Free Year of Membership

Score with 4! Get 4 colleagues to join SUNA & receive 1 year of free membership.

As a SUNA member, you receive one of the best benefits packages of any nursing association in the country. By spending only a few minutes of your time, you can extend your membership for FREE and be entered into a drawing to WIN big, while also helping your colleagues tap into the same SUNA benefits you enjoy!

Details

  • Offer good October 1 through September 30.
  • Your colleagues must be new to SUNA or have not been a member for at least 1 year.

As easy as . . .

  1. Fill in your name in the space marked “Recruited by” on the membership application. Make copies and distribute them to your colleagues who may want to join SUNA.
  2. Direct your colleagues to join online at www.suna.org/membership. Remind them to put your name in the “Recruited by” space on the application.
  3. Ask them to let you know when they have joined. You will be automatically notified by SUNA of your prize level at the end of the campaign.
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Questions?

Follow these helpful tips for recruiting new members.

Recruiting new members is about sharing your membership experience with others.

Here are some suggestions to help you reach out to potential members and encourage them to join SUNA:

  • Share information about Urologic Nursing journal with colleagues and let them know what they receive in each issue.
  • Write a mini article to be included in the monthly E-News and on the website about why you belong to SUNA.
  • When new employees begin working in your facility, tell them how SUNA can help them transition in their new role.
  • Share the benefits of SUNA membership.
  • Forward SUNA emails to your colleagues to let them know how much value they will get as a member.
  • Invite a prospective member to attend either of the SUNA Conferences (Advanced uroLogic and uroLogic) with you.
  • Give a gift of SUNA membership to your staff or colleague.
  • Encourage colleagues to become certified in urologic nursing and share how they receive discounts on study resources, NCPD credits, exam and renewal fees.
  • Forward an engaging thread from a UroConnect conversation and let them know members ask questions, provide advice, share documents, and more!
  • Most importantly, be sure to ask potential new members to identify you as their recruiter on their membership application.

Recognition

Recruit up to 3 New Members
  • 10 SUNA Savings Dollars for one membership
  • Plus 5 SUNA Savings Dollars for each additional membership
Score with 4 or More New Members
  • 10 SUNA Savings Dollars for one membership
  • Free 1-year membership (valued at $95 - $150)
  • Entered into a drawing for free registration to the SUNA uroLogic Conference
Recruit 10 or More New Members
  • 10 SUNA Savings Dollars for one membership
  • Free 1-year membership (valued at $95 - $150)
  • Free registration to the SUNA uroLogic Conference

Recruited up to 3 New Members

Christine Amoroso
Noelle Brossman
Bettina Broughton

Valari Cathey
Dianna Durkee
Krisztina Emodi

Cathyleen Filippi
Margaret Amy Hull
Shandi Husen

Jennifer Lewis
Elisabeth Okroi
Cecilia Sambarano

Recruited 4 or More Members

Susan Lipsy

THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE RECRUITED COLLEAGUES TO JOIN SUNA!

2022 Award Recipients

The following SUNA members and SUNA chapters were recognized with awards during SUNA's 2022 uroLogic Conference, which was held September 29-October 2 in New Orleans, LA.

President's Trophies

In Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to the Specialty of Urologic Nursing
Katie Wall, MSN, FNP-C

In Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to SUNA
Debbie Buback, MSN, RN, ANP

Member of the Year Awards

Margaret (Amy) Hull, DNP, WHNP-BC, FAUNA
Diane Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, BCB, PMD
Victor Senese, BSN, RN, CURN

Chapter of the Year Awards

Florida Greater Orlando Metro #217 (Small Chapter)
Mississippi Valley #301 (Large Chapter)

Chapter Enhancement Scholarship

Chicago Metro #307

Ardeth Hale Leadership Award

Susanne Quallich, ANP-BC, NP-C, CUNP, FAUNA, FAANP

Ron Brady Career Mobility Scholarship

Tammy Clamann, BSN, RN

uroLogic Conference Scholarship ($1,500)

(SUNA member for 2+ years)
Tammy Knuth, BSN, RN, CURN
Brenda Madsen, BSN, RN, CURN

uroLogic Conference Scholarship ($1,500)

Sponsored by Mississipi Valley Chapter of SUNA
(Novice ~ SUNA member for <2 years)
Rachel Day Beauchamp, NP
Linden Bousaid, MSN, RN, FNP-C, APNP

Arthur T. Evans Memorial Scholarship (Advanced uroLogic Registration)

Sponsored by American Urological Association
Karen Dziuba, CUNP

Past Presidents Scholarship (Advanced uroLogic Registration)

Sponsored by SUNA Past Presidents
Eyitemi Owens, NP

NAFC Continence Care Award

Gwendolyn Hooper, PhD, APRN, CUNP

Jan LeBouton Certification Scholarship

Carrie Defuss, DNP, CURN

Macfarlane Award

Cindy Curry, FNP, CUNP
Heather Morris, RN, CURN

Score with 4 Membership Campaign October 1, 2021 – September 31, 2022

Teresa Lynn Wright

Urologic Nursing Excellence Awards

Patricia Bates Novice Literary Excellence Award

Jennifer Johnson, DNP, APRN-CNP, ACNPC-AG, CCRN
"Perioperative Considerations for Providers in the Care of the Older Adult Population" (published September/October 2021)

Outstanding Reviewer Award

Christopher Tucci, MS, RN, BC, CURN, NE-BC

Not-For-Profit

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA), is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation incorporated in the state of Oregon. SUNA has been representing the interests of more than 2,000 nurses since 1977, by providing nursing education, clinical practice resources, certification through the Certification Board of Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA), and networking opportunities

Chapter Resources

Forming a SUNA Chapter

If you are interested in forming a new SUNA chapter, please follow these steps:

  • Contact the SUNA National Office at suna@suna.org or 202-591-2470 to inform them about your interest.
  • Review the online chapter resources and policies.

The following items must be submitted to the National Office:

  • List consisting of at least 10 members all of whom must be SUNA members.
  • Chapter Name and Chapter Bylaws
  • Chapter officer address and phone list - Must have President and either a President Elect/Vice President or Treasurer.
  • Zip code list (list of desired zip codes for that specific chapter)

After a 1-year probationary period the chapter is eligible for affiliation. Your chapter will be presented for affiliation to the Board of Directors who will vote on the proposed affiliation. The chapter will be notified of the board’s vote on affiliation.

SUNA Policy

For additional information, please refer to the following policy in the SUNA Policy & Procedure Manual.

  • 40-100: Chapter Formation & Affiliation

 

Developing Chapter Bylaws

  • All chapters must submit bylaws to the SUNA National Office at the time they are requesting chapter affiliation.
  • Chapters may adapt the current national bylaws or request a copy of another chapter’s bylaws to assist them in creating bylaws for their chapter.
  • Chapter bylaws must be reviewed/revised as necessary and submitted to the National Office where they will be kept on file.

SUNA National Bylaws

For additional information, please refer to the SUNA Bylaws.

 

Applying for a Federal Tax Identification Number

  • Each chapter must apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a federal tax identification number (this is a 9-digit number).
  • To apply for an EIN, go to https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.
  • Instructions for completing the form can be found at www.irs.gov/instructions (select SS-4 in html or pdf format).
  • There is no charge to apply for an EIN. This is a free service offered by the IRS.
  • Once you have been assigned a number, submit the number to the SUNA National Office to be kept on file.
  • You will need an EIN to open a chapter checking account, for local business and for requesting industry support in the form of sponsorships and grants.

Tax Exempt Status

Filing for tax exempt status is not required. If you are a larger chapter and wish to inquire about this, information can be obtained from www.irs.gov:

  • Click on “Other Nonprofit Charities and Non- Profits”
  • Click on “Forms and Instructions for Exempt Organizations”
  • Click on “Forms”
  • Form Name: 1023 (Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 502 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code

Tax Returns

 

Organizing Your First SUNA Chapter Meeting

Follow these tips when planning your first chapter meeting:

  1. Develop an inquiry letter informing others of the need/benefits of a local SUNA chapter.
  2. Plan an informational meeting along with an educational program.
  3. Contact the SUNA National Office to obtain addresses or mailing labels to notify chapter members of the meeting.
  4. Plan to serve refreshments if possible.
  5. Seek assistance in recruiting participants from local pharmaceutical representatives who have regular contact with urology offices.
  6. Consider the needs and geography of your area in planning meeting sites.
  7. Contact the SUNA National Office to obtain membership applications and SUNA resource information prior to the meeting date for distribution at the meeting.
  8. Keep minutes of the meeting to be distributed.
  9. Start a roster of attendees' names and contact information (name, address, phone, e-mail address, work address).
  10. Distribute SUNA membership applications and SUNA information during the meeting.
  11. Ask for volunteers to serve in chapter leadership positions (i.e., President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer).
  12. Select a chapter name and logo (chapter logo is optional).
  13. Vote to accept chapter bylaws and have all officers’ sign.

SUNA Policy For additional information, please refer to the following policy in the SUNA Policy & Procedure Manual. (Please note that you must log in as a SUNA member to access the Policy & Procedure Manual).

  • 10-102: Use of SUNA’s Name and/or Logo

 

Maintaining a SUNA Chapter

  • To maintain active SUNA chapter status, a chapter must have:
    • 10 SUNA national members
    • Hold one meeting annually (this does not have to offer contact hours)
    • Complete part 1 of the Chapter Review Form annually. Part 2 of the form is required to be considered for national chapter awards, but not required to maintain active chapter status.
    • Submit a nonmember list of at least 5 contacts for the National Office to contact or put in our Prospects List.
  • Chapters who cannot meet these requirements should contact the National Office to discuss the next steps/future of the chapter.
  • Rotation of leadership is highly encouraged according to your chapter’s bylaws.
  • Newly elected officers should be encouraged to attend leadership development opportunities given at the SUNA Annual Conference.
  • Chapter bylaws should be reviewed/revised as necessary.

SUNA Policy

For additional information, please refer to the following policies in the SUNA Policy & Procedure Manual.

  • 40-200: Maintenance of Active Chapter Status
  • 40-400: Chapter of the Year Award
  • 40-401: Chapter Review Letter
  • 40-401A: Chapter Review Form
  • 40-500: Chapter Inactive Status and Dissolution

 

Accessing Your Chapter Member List via the SUNA Website

SUNA chapter officers can access a list of their chapter members via the SUNA website. Follow these directions to access a list of your chapter members.

  1. Login to the SUNA “Search the Member Directory” page.
  2. Click on the Chapter field for a list of SUNA chapters (in alphabetical order).
  3. Scroll through the list until you find your SUNA chapter, and click on it.
  4. The Chapter field should now display your chapter name.
  5. Click “Go.”
  6. A list of chapter members (in alphabetical order) will display.

 

 

Creating a Chapter Website or Facebook Page

Chapter Websites & Social Media (from Nursing Network)

Chapter Facebook Page

Chapter Facebook pages are a great way to share national messages, strategies, and initiatives of SUNA through local chapter efforts. Your Facebook page can be the gateway for larger involvement in SUNA nationally, or a platform for recruitment locally. By having a presence, you can help members and prospective members understand their fit in our organization. Download the following resources for tips to building and using a chapter Facebook page.

Chapter Website

A chapter website can help you to showcase your chapter events, communicate with your members, and provide easily accessible information about your chapter to your members.

Before You Get Started

Here are some basic terms you'll need to know. A website is a collection of pages linked together and stored or hosted on a server/computer so that it can be viewed on the Internet. The home page or index page of a website is usually what you see when you first type in a URL in the address field of your browser. URL stands for "uniform resource locator." It is the specific and unique address of the web page on the server. Some URLs can be quite long especially if you are using a free website housing service. That's why some people register with a Domain Name Service (DNS) to get a shorter domain name and address for their visitors to use. Online visitors can enter the domain name such as "www.suna.org" but are really directed to a web page, which may have an entirely different URL address.

Objective

Determine the kind of service or information you want to provide through your site. Your website should provide easily accessible information to your members, future members, other chapters and the general public. Your site should always contain information about your chapter activities and a list of current officers.

Site and Page Titles

Make your titles relevant to your audience and purpose by using keywords that you know they will search for.

Content

Prepare your copy on Word or other document ahead of time and make edits there. This will help to avoid typos and will provide you with a safe copy. Make sure that when you save your document, you save it as a "text", "plain text" or "text only" document. Otherwise it will not be read properly by a web browser. You may need to modify your copy to fit your website template. Suggestions for chapter website content include:

  1. Minutes of regular board meetings
  2. Items the Board wants publicized
  3. Schedule of meetings, events, dinners
  4. Newsletter
  5. Officer names and contact numbers
  6. Chapter educational grant information and application
  7. Duties of Board members
  8. Photos of recent events
  9. Membership application
  10. Link to the SUNA website
  11. History of chapter
  12. Link for contact person and RSVP to meetings/events

When deciding to create a chapter website, look at other pages on the Internet to gather ideas for your own site. Keep in mind that your website is a reflection of SUNA and the urologic nursing profession. You will not need to include any information that is already available on the SUNA website. Instead, just provide a link to www.suna.org. Discuss your content at your chapter board meetings and update your site frequently.

Links

On the same Word document, you'll want to record any links that you will need. Give the link a name that you will display and the actual URL. One of the links should always be "contact me/us" and another link should be to the SUNA website.

Graphics

Great big photos and graphics will load slowly for your users. Try to use smaller graphics or use Photoshop. Prepare all graphics in JPG or GIF formats.

Hosting Service

If you are unable to use hosting services at your hospital, transplant center or University, many companies offer free hosting services, free site builders and other great services but you must agree to display their ad on your website. In addition, some services make you buy something, like a domain name, to get free hosting; this is generally unnecessary since there are many good services that provide free hosting without charging anything. Key reasons to pay for a hosting service include avoidance of ad displays, extra storage space for large projects and catalog or credit card processing. If you are interested in customizing and advancing your website further, try the following:

  1. Dreamweaver, FrontPage - editing applications (expensive, and can take time to learn)
  2. Knowledge in HTML - coding/language that instructs the web page
  3. Photoshop - graphics application
  4. Search engine - promoting your site online

Resources

The Internet provides hundreds of websites that can be extremely helpful to you in developing your own site. Try keywords such as "create website" in searching on the Internet. The following sites may be useful to your search:

  1. Web Monkey - the web developer's resource
  2. www.make-a-web-site.org/making1.html
  3. HTML Interactive Tool for Beginners - a guide to web programming language
  4. www.websitetips.com - provides extensive information and resources to build or improve your website

Some free and walk-through services that gives people websites are: (1) Angelfire, (2) Tripod, and (3) www.homestead.com

Who will be responsible for your site?

Determine if there is someone in the chapter who has some experience with creating web pages. The site should be updated on a monthly basis, or when information becomes available or outdated. This task should be assigned to someone as part of his or her chapter duties. A chapter website can really enhance communication within your chapter and throughout our organization. Please consider developing a website as your chapter continues to grow. Good luck!

UroConnect Open Forum

Online Social and Professional Networking Resource Exclusively for SUNA Members

UroConnect is an online social and professional networking resource exclusively for SUNA members. This resource is designed to make your experience as a SUNA member more valuable while providing you the opportunity to network and collaborate with your peers.

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UroConnect Benefits

Belonging

You will automatically be part of any existing SUNA community to enjoy the opportunities immediately.

Connecting

This resource makes it easy for you to search for members in your area. Connect with professionals who share similar interests and goals.

Communicating

Chat with your SUNA peers.

Sharing

Upload files and collaborate online.

Go to UroConnect

SUNA Open Forum

The SUNA Open Forum is an online discussion group designed to help you connect with your friends and colleagues within SUNA. The Open Forum is part of UroConnect. The Open Forum fosters camaraderie and support among members. We encourage you to use the Open Forum to connect, share, and communicate with your colleagues!

Go to SUNA Open Forum

 

Note: In May 2019, all members were auto-subscribed to receive Open Forum communications in the form of a daily digest. Members will receive ONE email a day that includes the day’s discussions. These emails will NOT include any promotional materials, conference registration reminders, etc. The Open Forum daily digests are a summary of discussions that your colleagues are having in the Open Forum - only peer-generated content. However, if you would like to opt out of receiving a daily email digest, follow these steps:

  1. Go to SUNA Open Forum (you’ll be prompted to log in if you are not already).
  2. Click on “Settings” and select “No email” under “Email Notifications.”

 

SUNA Open Forum Code of Conduct

To ensure the best possible experience for all members, SUNA has established basic guidelines for participation in UroConnect and the SUNA Open Forum.

Code of Conduct

SUNA Journal

Urologic Nursing Journal

Urologic Nursing features clinical articles covering a variety of urologic issues and clinical procedures

Urologic Nursing, the official journal of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA), presents the latest advances in urologic nursing practice. Written by and for urologic nurses and associates, Urologic Nursing features clinical articles covering a variety of urologic issues and clinical procedures. Patient education techniques, research findings, ethical issues, and current trends in this expanding clinical nursing specialty also are included.

Highlights from Current Issue - Spring 2026

UNJ Spring 2026 Issue
  • Updates from Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA)
  • Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates Ambulatory Urology Registered Nurse Value Position Statement
  • Enhancing Patient Education with Innovative 3D-Virtual Reality Pelvic Model: A Mixed Methods Pilot Project
  • Novel Dual Balloon Catheter Decreases Bladder Spasms: Results from a Prospective, Single-center, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Intravenous Iodine in a 21-Year-Old Female Interstitial Cystitis/ Bladder Pain Syndrome Patient and Symptom Elimination: A Case Report
  • Breaking Out of Traditional Learning: The SUNA Escape Room Experience

Read the Spring Issue

Position Statements & Endorsements

SUNA's Position on Key Topics

SUNA Position Statements

 

 

SUNA Endorsements

 

 

Patient Resources

Helping You Help Your Patients

Patient Education Procedure Handouts

SUNA_handout.jpg

 

Content developed by SUNA's Postoperative Task Force (© 2021, 2022). These handouts were first published in Urologic Nursing, SUNA's official journal.

Patient Education Fact Sheets

SUNA's Patient Education Fact Sheets provide a brief overview of essential information regarding the care and treatment of individuals with urologic conditions. They are useful resources for both staff and patient education.

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Note: Funding for SUNA Patient Fact Sheet revision and development provided by a contribution from The Allergan Foundation.

Patient Education Links

Incontinence

View More Information

View More Information

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

View Article

View Article

Patient Education Videos

Living with Overactive Bladder

A video series developed by the National Association for Continence (NAFC)

View Full Series

Voices of Incontinence

A video series (and personal stories) developed by the National Association for Continence (NAFC)

View Full Series

Patient Education Personal Story Articles

I'm Scared to Visit My Family

My Husband is My Rock

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