Global Urology Pioneer Dr. Gopal H. Badlani Named Urology Care Foundation's 2026 Humanitarian Recognition Awardee

Dr. Badlani recognized for his decades of humanitarian service and efforts to expand access to quality urologic care worldwide

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Urology Care Foundation, the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and the official foundation of the American Urological Association, has announced that Gopal H. Badlani, MD, will receive its 2026 Humanitarian Recognition Award. The award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to expanding access to quality urologic care in underserved communities through their active involvement in humanitarian initiatives.

Why it matters

Dr. Badlani is a highly respected leader in the global urologic community known for his pioneering contributions to endourology, female pelvic medicine, and reconstructive surgery. He has dedicated much of his career to humanitarian service, delivering high-quality urologic care, training, and surgical innovation to underserved regions worldwide. This award recognizes his lifelong devotion to strengthening clinical capacity and expanding access to modern urologic care in resource-limited settings.

The details

Through decades of volunteer work, including long-standing involvement with IVUmed and mission-based teaching programs, Dr. Badlani has provided hands-on care and empowered local physicians in communities across India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond. As a founding board member of the Endourological Society and an officer within the American Urological Association, he has helped mobilize international teams, create educational pathways, and champion cost-effective approaches to care, enabling thousands of clinicians from resource-limited settings to adopt minimally invasive procedures.

  • Dr. Badlani will be recognized at the American Urological Association's Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, in May 2026.

The players

Gopal H. Badlani, MD

A highly respected leader in the global urologic community, known for his pioneering contributions to endourology, female pelvic medicine, and reconstructive surgery. He has dedicated much of his career to humanitarian service, delivering high-quality urologic care, training, and surgical innovation to underserved regions worldwide.

Urology Care Foundation

The world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and the official foundation of the American Urological Association.

American Urological Association

A leading advocate for the specialty of urology, with more than 25,000 members worldwide. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health care policy.

Harris M. Nagler, MD, FACS

President of the Urology Care Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“Dr. Badlani's lifelong devotion to humanitarian service is extraordinary, not only has he delivered urologic care directly to underserved communities, but he has also built the pathways for others to continue that work.”

— Harris M. Nagler, MD, FACS, President of the Urology Care Foundation (bakercityherald.com)

“I am humbled and acknowledge all those who opened the doors for me, enabled and assisted me in the team effort to achieve the mission of paying it forward. I stand on the shoulders of many to receive this. I thank the UCF Board and the committee for this honor.”

— Gopal H. Badlani, MD (bakercityherald.com)

The takeaway

Dr. Badlani's lifelong commitment to expanding access to quality urologic care in underserved communities through direct service, training, and capacity-building initiatives has had a profound impact worldwide. This award recognizes his exceptional humanitarian leadership and the lasting legacy he has built by empowering local clinicians to deliver modern, minimally invasive urologic procedures in resource-limited settings.