Professional Association of German Urologists

The Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologie e.V. (BvDU) — historically also known as the Berufsverband Deutscher Urologen — is a registered voluntary association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Berlin that represents the professional and health-policy interests of urologists in Germany. It was founded on 29 May 1954 in Bad Wildungen, when 30 urologists convened at the invitation of Kurt Schneider, on the initiative of Karl Heusch acting on behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie. Originally named "Berufsverband der deutschen Fachärzte für Urologie e.V.," it was renamed "Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologen e.V." in 1972 and adopted its current name, "Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologie e.V.," in 2022. As of 28 October 2021 it had approximately 2,500 members. The association advocates for its members before the Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen (regional associations of statutory health insurance physicians), the chambers of physicians, the federal government, ministries, health authorities, international institutions, professional bodies and the public. It advises and supports members on professional, economic and medico-legal questions, including civil, criminal, labour, social and contract law. It promotes national and international cooperation in urology, supports continuing professional education, and participates in shaping the further-training regulations and the professional profile of urology. Membership is open on application to any urologist, including young physicians still in specialist training. The association's organs include the members' assembly, the main committee, the presidium, 19 regional associations (Landesverbände), regional boards, working groups, subject committees, an honorary council and an honorary president. Its office is located in Berlin, and Roland Zielke serves as managing director. In autumn 2016 the association founded SgDU Servicegesellschaft der Deutschen Urologie mbH as a wholly owned subsidiary bundling its service, advisory and contract services. The BvDU publishes through "Die Urologie" (the official publication organ of both the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie and the BvDU, published by Springer Medizin), the BvDU newsletter, UroSpektrum, and current circulars at federal and regional level. It cooperates with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie, the German Society of Residents in Urology, the European Board of Urology and the Spitzenverband Fachärzte Deutschlands. Its presidents have included Kurt Schneider (1954–1959), Wolfgang Knipper (1959–1974), Dieter Heck (1974–1987), Klaus Schalkhäuser (1987–2006), Martin Bloch (2006–2010), Axel Schroeder (2010–2021), Catrin Steiniger (2021–2023) and Axel Belusa (since 2023).

The Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologie e.V. (BvDU) was founded on 29 May 1954 in Bad Wildungen, when 30 urologists convened at the invitation of Kurt Schneider. The initiative came from Karl Heusch, acting on behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie. The founding board consisted of Kurt Schneider (president 1954–1959), Fritz May, Clement Leyh, Klaus Kraft and Paul Thelen. The association was originally named "Berufsverband der deutschen Fachärzte für Urologie e.V." In 1972 it was renamed "Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologen e.V." and in 2022 it adopted its current name, "Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologie e.V." In autumn 1990, as the first specialist professional association, it merged the two urological professional associations of West and East Germany. In autumn 2016, it founded SgDU Servicegesellschaft der Deutschen Urologie mbH as a wholly owned subsidiary to bundle its service, advisory and contract services. The association has been led by a series of presidents: Kurt Schneider (1954–1959), Wolfgang Knipper (1959–1974), Dieter Heck (1974–1987), Klaus Schalkhäuser (1987–2006), Martin Bloch (2006–2010), Axel Schroeder (2010–2021), Catrin Steiniger (2021–2023) and Axel Belusa (since 2023). As of 28 October 2021, the association had approximately 2,500 members. Its office is located in Berlin, and Roland Zielke serves as managing director.

• 2023

  Axel Belusa becomes president.

• 2022

  Renamed "Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologie e.V."

• 2021

  Catrin Steiniger becomes president; membership approximately 2,500 as of 28 October 2021.

• 2016

  Founding of SgDU Servicegesellschaft der Deutschen Urologie mbH as a wholly owned subsidiary.

• 1990

  Merger of the West and East German urological professional associations in autumn, the first such merger for a specialist association.

• 1972

  Renamed "Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologen e.V."

• 1954

  Founding assembly in Bad Wildungen on 29 May by 30 urologists; original name "Berufsverband der deutschen Fachärzte für Urologie e.V."

Professional association and advocacy body for urologists in Germany, offering exclusive member services and representing interests in health policy.

• Die Urologie

  Official publication organ of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie and the BvDU, published by Springer Medizin.

• BvDU-Newsletter

  Information service from the board for BvDU members.

• UroSpektrum

  Notes from the professional association and service company of German urology.

• Selektivverträge

  Selective care contracts for special services at state and federal level.

• Praxismanagement

  Smart tools for practice management, billing (including Hybrid-DRG) and practice supplies.

• Absicherung

  Insurance for members and their practices, including protection against regress claims.

• Versorgen statt Sparen
• Die Urologie kann Zukunft – Nur nicht zum Nulltarif

1. 1Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologie e.V. (BvDU) – official websiteurologie-gestalten.de
2. 2Berufsverband Deutscher Urologen – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Berufsverband der Deutschen Urologie – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org