Submitted on March 2, 2026
Anne M. Suskind, MD, MS, has been named the inaugural holder of the Maria Manetti Shrem Endowed Professorship in Urology, a new distinction that recognizes her leadership in research, faculty development and mentorship.
In addition to recognizing sustained excellence and impact, the professorship provides ongoing resources to advance scholarship, faculty development and innovation.
“It is a tremendous distinction and a great honor,” she said. “It recognizes not only my research, but also my mentorship and faculty affairs work. And importantly, it provides sustained support to continue building those efforts for the future of the department.”
Advancing Research in Aging and Surgical Outcomes
Dr. Suskind is nationally recognized for her research on frailty and surgical outcomes in older adults, an increasingly urgent area of study as the U.S. population ages. With approximately 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, the need to better understand how aging affects surgical risk and recovery has never been greater.
Her work has leveraged large-scale Medicare claims data to answer critical questions about how frailty influences outcomes in urologic surgery. She has led two NIH R01 grants in this space and developed the UCSF UroARC Risk Calculator, a free, online tool that helps personalize surgical risk estimates for patients undergoing procedures for conditions such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and bladder outlet obstruction.
By translating population-level data into individualized clinical guidance, Dr. Suskind’s work bridges the gap between big-picture health systems research and one-on-one patient care.
“It’s about taking the wisdom we can glean from big data and turning it into something practical and usable for a single person,” Dr. Suskind said.
In addition to her quantitative research, Dr. Suskind is leading qualitative studies exploring the experiences of caregivers for people living with dementia and urinary incontinence. Through interviews and focus groups, this work aims to identify gaps in care and inform targeted interventions to better support patients and families.
A Holistic Lens on Women’s Pelvic Health
Trained in both urogynecology and health services research, Dr. Suskind has integrated these two domains. Her background in anthropology — including thesis research in Nepal examining reproductive health education — continues to shape how she approaches patient care and systems-level challenges.
“I see myself as an observer,” she said. “Whether in research, mentorship, or leadership, I’m looking at the broader context of a problem and thinking about how culture, systems and structure influence outcomes.”
She hopes the public better understands that pelvic floor disorders and urinary symptoms are common and treatable.
“There are still social taboos around these issues,” she said. “People often feel embarrassed to talk about them, and some believe nothing can be done. These conditions are common, and there are often effective treatments.”
Building the Next Generation of Urologists
Beyond her research, Dr. Suskind is widely recognized for her mentorship and faculty development leadership. She has mentored junior faculty across UCSF and nationally, developed structured mentorship programs for professional societies including the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU), and completed formal training and credentialing in coaching.
Over the past several years, she has mentored 16 UCSF faculty members through intensive departmental mentorship programs and continues to guide trainees, fellows, residents, and interdisciplinary collaborators spanning geriatrics, neurology, engineering, social science, and pelvic floor physical therapy.
“I see my work as an investment in the future of the department and in urology,” she said. “Through research and mentorship, we’re building a legacy.”
The endowed professorship provides sustained resources to support both her research program and her faculty affairs and mentorship initiatives, reinforcing the department’s long-term commitment to education and leadership development.
Honoring a Legacy of Philanthropy
The professorship also serves as an enduring tribute to its namesake donor, Maria Manetti Shrem. Endowments not only recognize faculty excellence but permanently embed philanthropy into the academic mission of the department.
“This professorship creates a lasting legacy,” Dr. Suskind said. “It honors the donor’s commitment to urology and becomes part of the culture, purpose and mission of the department in perpetuity.”
For the department of urology, this appointment reflects both recognition of Dr. Suskind’s far-reaching contributions and a sustained investment in the future of aging research, women’s health and academic mentorship at UCSF.