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Dr. Gaetano Ciancio Awarded by the Spanish Association of Urology

A second European country has recognized Gaetano Ciancio, M.D., professor of surgery and urology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, for his international distinction and contributions to the field of urology. Dr. Ciancio was recently awarded the Francisco Diaz Medal from the Spanish Association of Urology — in addition to having received the Knight of the Order of Star of Italy in January.

Established in 1972, the medal is named for Francisco Diaz, regarded as the father of urology and one of the most important Spanish surgeons of the 16th century. The award represents the highest decoration of the Spanish Association of Urology, with more than 3,000 urologists in Spain voting on the honoree. Criteria include more than 25 years in the discipline, an impact in care and teaching, and significant research contributions to urology.

Dr. Gaetano Ciancio with Dr. José Luis Álvarez-Ossorio Fernández
Dr. Gaetano Ciancio with Dr. José Luis Álvarez-Ossorio Fernández, president of the Spanish Urology Association.

“It is a great honor to be recognized for the worldwide impact I have made and continue to make in urology,” Dr. Ciancio said, accepting the medal at the Spanish National Urology Congress, held in Burgos, Spain. “I have performed surgery in Spain, presented at conferences, and trained many Spanish physicians, all reasons that have made this award mean that much more.”

Merit and Impact

With a career spanning 40 years, Dr. Ciancio has made major contributions to the surgical treatment of advanced urological tumors by creating multiple techniques to avoid cardiopulmonary and veno-venous bypass. In addition, he has developed a new classification for renal and adrenal tumors with tumor thrombus. His contributions also include the fields of pediatric and adult kidney transplantation and simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation.

Dr. Ciancio delivering a lecture.
Dr. Ciancio delivering a lecture at the Spanish National Urology Congress in Burgos, Spain.

At the Miller School, Dr. Ciancio has been a faculty standout, earning three Teacher of the Year awards from the newly named Desai Sethi Urology Institute, two awards from the Miami Transplant Institute, and the Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of Miami Faculty Senate. His passion for teaching the next generation of physicians brought him further national recognition when he won the American Society of Transplant Surgeons Francis Moore Excellence in Mentorship in the Field of Transplantation Surgery Award.

On an international scale, Dr. Ciancio has taught, mentored, and provided care worldwide, even having an operating room named after him in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“My career has allowed me to take on many challenges and exciting opportunities around the world,” Dr. Ciancio said. “Each recognition throughout my career holds a special memory for which I am grateful.”


Tags: American Society of Transplant Surgeons, Desai Sethi Urology Institute, DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Dr. Gaetano Ciancio, Francisco Diaz Medal, miami transplant institute, Miller School of Medicine, Spanish Association of Urology