The Society of Uroradiology (SUR) began in June 1966 with the invitation from Dr. Howard M. Pollack and Dr. Joshua A. Becker for a "mail interchange club" to radiologists who had a specific interest in the urinary tract. Informal sessions were initially held in conjunction with the national meetings of other radiology organizations. Over the years, the organization evolved from the "wee-wee club" to the Uroradiology Club and then to incorporation as the Society of Uroradiology in 1974. Membership has grown from an initial 35 members in 1974 to 176 active members, 99 Fellows, 36 emeritus members and 179 members-in-training at the present time.

Under the guidance of its committed membership, a strong and dynamic organization evolved, with the presentation of the Society’s first Postgraduate Refresher Course in 1978 in New York City. Many successful programs followed, fulfilling their objectives with the presentations on the current techniques of imaging and therapy of urinary tract disease. These concepts have evolved as technology developed with more and more emphasis upon contemporary imaging and intervention. Genital imaging, both female and male, is a growing facet of the Society’s educational activities.

The Society is now composed of an international community of those interested in imaging genitourinary tract disease. The Society’s progress was a stimulus for the creation of an independent European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) with the evolution of periodic conjoint meetings.

The Scientific Sessions held prior to the Postgraduate Educational Course continue to be the primary forum for the exchange of knowledge and discussion of cutting edge investigation in the field. Parallel in emphasis with the delivery of clinical practice is research of anatomy and physiology of the genitourinary tract. In this regard, in 1997 the Society took a major step with the establishment of a research award to support investigative initiatives; these efforts have produced the scientific and clinical contributions envisioned by the Society.

The Society of Uroradiology has recognized the technological and practice changes in our field, that now mandate a broader understanding of the disease processes currently considered under the rubric of “abdominal” imaging. Beginning in 2000, the annual postgraduate educational course became an endeavor co-sponsored by our society and the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists, greatly expanding our educational outreach. This collaborative effort, now known as the Abdominal Radiology Consortium, has been extraordinarily successful and will likely lead to a greater integration of the societies’ activities in the future.