Professor Zeng Guohua, vice-president of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, has become the first Chinese physician to receive the Ralph Clayman Mentor Award, one of the highest honors in international urology.

Professor Zeng Guohua (center) receiving the Ralph Clayman Mentor Award

The award was presented at the 42nd World Congress of Endourology and Urotech in Phoenix, United States, from Sept 8 to 12. It recognizes Professor Zeng's outstanding contributions to advancing minimally invasive urological techniques, training international talent and establishing clinical standards.

The Ralph Clayman Mentor Award honors individuals who have made enduring contributions to research, innovation and mentorship in the field of urology. Professor Zeng's achievement marks a historic breakthrough, reflecting growing international recognition of Chinese expertise in urological surgery.

As a founding member of the International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU), Professor Zeng has led his team over the past decade to organize 76 advanced endourology training programs and 21 international workshops. These initiatives have trained 434 physicians from 59 countries and more than 11,000 Chinese urological surgeons, significantly raising China's international profile in the field.

During the congress, Professor Zeng delivered a keynote address on standardized mini-channel percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures. Based on over 46,000 clinical cases, the Chinese-developed approach now serves as an important reference for urological surgeons worldwide.

The congress also witnessed the first joint academic symposium between IAU and the Endourological Society, demonstrating international acknowledgment of China's academic leadership in urological surgery.

Associate Professor Gu Di from Professor Zeng's team shared clinical experience with extraperitoneal single-port robotic prostatectomy, highlighting advances in domestically-developed robotic surgical systems.