Mary K. Samplaski, MD, served as Trainee Representative to the ASA Executive Council from April 2013 to April 2014. Dr. Samplaski is a specialist in Male Reproductive Medicine, Microsurgery and Andrology. She completed her medical school education at the George Washington University School of Medicine, urology residency at the Cleveland Clinic, and specialty fellowship at the University of Toronto. Professional home page: http://www.keckmedicine.org/doctor/mary-k-samplaski/
How has your career changed transitioning from the ASA Trainee Representative to an Assistant Professor?
My career has evolved from trainee/fellow to an independent practitioner. It has not been an easy transition, but the mentors that I have developed (many of which were through the ASA) have given me the support network that I needed to build a practice. The primary reason that this transition has not been "easy" is because I am the first person to do male fertility at USC, so I am building from the ground up. I would not be able to do this without my mentors.
As a clinician, why do you think it is important to have clinicians in leadership roles in the society?
The foundation of the ASA is based on joining clinicians and basic scientists. Being involved in leadership roles is a whole different degree of engagement in professional societies than simply being a "member" or attending the meeting. It is my opinion that having clinicians involved in the ASA is imperative to the long-term viability of the society. Without making the ASA a translational society, it will become stagnant; instead of living up to the amazing potential that it has by having both clinicians and basic scientists involved.
What do you think was the high point of your service as the ASA Trainee Representative?
The high point of my service as Trainee Representative was the Mini-Symposium. I think this was so exciting; the concept of responding to the requests of the trainees, giving them a symposium with ideas generated by them, hopefully stimulating discussions and connections; I am so hopeful that this will engage the younger members of the ASA to maintain involvement by the younger clinicians and scientists. I truly believe that we need to engage the younger members of the ASA in order to maintain the long-term viability of the ASA, as well as maintain it as a diverse, innovative society.
Did you encounter any low points/disappointments? What did this experience teach you?
We had some money-handling and product quality issues with a fund-raiser. This taught me to be more careful. Maintain control of funds and goods within a small group of people, with an established protocol for maintaining control of these. Regardless, the experience taught me the importance of planning for fundraising events, attention to detail, maintaining a protocol for items involving funds.
Say a few words about your current job and research interests/your typical day?
I am presently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology, and the Director of Male Infertility, Andrology and Microsurgery at the University of Southern California. I am primarily clinically based, and divide my time between clinic and the operating room. In short, I help couples achieve their reproductive and sexual goals (usually, to have babies). That is what motivates me. My research interests include fertility in spinal cord injury patients, testicular trauma, testosterone, Klinefelter syndrome, and effects of recreational substances on male fertility.
How was your interest in field of andrology developed?
I initially became interested in Male Fertility. I enjoy the multiple facets of it: genetics, hormones, microsurgical, social work, and the joy of seeing the faces of couples when they find out they are pregnant. Nothing is more professionally satisfying for me than receiving a photo of a baby that I was involved in. Andrology covers many of the same areas as Male Fertility (both are centered around the functions of the testis) but also includes testosterone replacement and male sexual function. As my career has evolved, I am increasingly interested in all aspects of male testicular function. The role of testosterone on multiple organ systems is interesting to me personally and also plays a major role in patients’ lives, and with the increase in direct to consumer marketing, this is a growing part of my practice.
What has been the impact of the ASA membership in your career?
The ASA has continually reinforced the importance of clinican and basic scientist collaborations. Physicians/scientists tend to fall under one group or another, but collaborations between the two are really where the major advancements are to be made. The ASA has also been my largest source of professional networking. It is such a supportive society, where there truly is a fostering of ideas that for the young clinician or scientist, there is a sense of both being challenged and nurtured. The more established generation of Andrologists has been incredibly supportive of me- delivering neverending advice and mentoring (professionally and personally). These relationships have provided me with the vision and support I needed to build a Andrology and Fertility program at USC, with both clinical and translational components. The translational aspect is multi-institutional, both locally and internationally, largely based on relationships formed through the ASA.
How has your career changed transitioning from the ASA Trainee Representative to an Assistant Professor?
My career has evolved from trainee/fellow to an independent practitioner. It has not been an easy transition, but the mentors that I have developed (many of which were through the ASA) have given me the support network that I needed to build a practice. The primary reason that this transition has not been "easy" is because I am the first person to do male fertility at USC, so I am building from the ground up. I would not be able to do this without my mentors.
As a clinician, why do you think it is important to have clinicians in leadership roles in the society?
The foundation of the ASA is based on joining clinicians and basic scientists. Being involved in leadership roles is a whole different degree of engagement in professional societies than simply being a "member" or attending the meeting. It is my opinion that having clinicians involved in the ASA is imperative to the long-term viability of the society. Without making the ASA a translational society, it will become stagnant; instead of living up to the amazing potential that it has by having both clinicians and basic scientists involved.
What do you think was the high point of your service as the ASA Trainee Representative?
The high point of my service as Trainee Representative was the Mini-Symposium. I think this was so exciting; the concept of responding to the requests of the trainees, giving them a symposium with ideas generated by them, hopefully stimulating discussions and connections; I am so hopeful that this will engage the younger members of the ASA to maintain involvement by the younger clinicians and scientists. I truly believe that we need to engage the younger members of the ASA in order to maintain the long-term viability of the ASA, as well as maintain it as a diverse, innovative society.
Did you encounter any low points/disappointments? What did this experience teach you?
We had some money-handling and product quality issues with a fund-raiser. This taught me to be more careful. Maintain control of funds and goods within a small group of people, with an established protocol for maintaining control of these. Regardless, the experience taught me the importance of planning for fundraising events, attention to detail, maintaining a protocol for items involving funds.
Say a few words about your current job and research interests/your typical day?
I am presently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology, and the Director of Male Infertility, Andrology and Microsurgery at the University of Southern California. I am primarily clinically based, and divide my time between clinic and the operating room. In short, I help couples achieve their reproductive and sexual goals (usually, to have babies). That is what motivates me. My research interests include fertility in spinal cord injury patients, testicular trauma, testosterone, Klinefelter syndrome, and effects of recreational substances on male fertility.
How was your interest in field of andrology developed?
I initially became interested in Male Fertility. I enjoy the multiple facets of it: genetics, hormones, microsurgical, social work, and the joy of seeing the faces of couples when they find out they are pregnant. Nothing is more professionally satisfying for me than receiving a photo of a baby that I was involved in. Andrology covers many of the same areas as Male Fertility (both are centered around the functions of the testis) but also includes testosterone replacement and male sexual function. As my career has evolved, I am increasingly interested in all aspects of male testicular function. The role of testosterone on multiple organ systems is interesting to me personally and also plays a major role in patients’ lives, and with the increase in direct to consumer marketing, this is a growing part of my practice.
What has been the impact of the ASA membership in your career?
The ASA has continually reinforced the importance of clinican and basic scientist collaborations. Physicians/scientists tend to fall under one group or another, but collaborations between the two are really where the major advancements are to be made. The ASA has also been my largest source of professional networking. It is such a supportive society, where there truly is a fostering of ideas that for the young clinician or scientist, there is a sense of both being challenged and nurtured. The more established generation of Andrologists has been incredibly supportive of me- delivering neverending advice and mentoring (professionally and personally). These relationships have provided me with the vision and support I needed to build a Andrology and Fertility program at USC, with both clinical and translational components. The translational aspect is multi-institutional, both locally and internationally, largely based on relationships formed through the ASA.
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