Suzette Elisabeth Sutherland, MD, MS, FPMRS

About This Provider

Dr. Sutherland comes to us from the University of Washington in Seattle where she was Director of Female Urology at the UW Medicine Pelvic Health Center, and Associate Professor in Urology at the University of Washington School of Medicine for 11 years. Her professional interests are dedicated to the betterment of women’s pelvic health, locally, nationally and globally. She is committed to Women’s Global Urological Health, having worked to train surgeons in Senegal and Rwanda, and won an AUA/UCF Humanitarian Grant in 2023. She is also passionate about national and global advocacy for gender equity and diversity in Medicine, Surgery and Urology.

Dr. Sutherland completed her medical degree and urologic training at Case Western Reserve University / University Hospital of Cleveland. She gained further specialty fellowship training in female urology/urogynecology (FPMRS) from the Center for Continence Care and Female Urology in Mpls/St. Paul, MN, and from the Institute for Sexual Medicine at Boston University. After 10 years with a large multi-specialty urology practice in Mpls/St Paul, she joined the academic community at the University of Washington in Seattle (2013), and now transitions to Arizona Urology Specialists / United Urology Group in Scottsdale, AZ. She has made numerous contributions to the medical literature: presentations, papers, and book chapters on urinary incontinence, pelvic prolapse and sexual health; she is currently the Global Health Section Editor for Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports, and on the Editorial Board for Neuro-urology and Urodynamics (NAU - SUFU Journal). She received a 2022 AUA/Journal of Urology Best Reviewer Award for her quality contributions over the years. She takes an active role in training future female urologists both at the resident and fellowship level. She serves as a consultant for pharmaceutical and medical/surgical device companies and remains active in associated clinical research through multi-center national and international clinical trials, staying abreast of the newest developments in her field. With this, she has participated in many FDA-approval trials for various medications and surgical devices, bringing them to market for the betterment of patients. As an advocate for patients and fellow colleagues, she has worked at the local, state, national and international levels through key leadership positions with the Society of Women in Urology (President 2012-2013), the Board of Directors for the AUA Urology Care Foundation (2024-present), the Washington State Urology Society (House of Delegates 2023-present), the Minnesota Urology Society (President 2012-2013) and International Volunteers in Urology (IVUmed) to increase awareness about important urological, gender and workplace diversity issues, and to effect policy that governs both medical care and practice. As a regular host for Backtable Urology Podcast (www.backtable.com) she uses this privileged platform to elevate these issues within the general medical community and the public.

Education:

MD, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH – 1993-1997

General Surgery, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland – 1997-1999

Urology Residency, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland - 1999-2003

Fellowship, Female Urology & Neuro-urology, Center for Continence Care & Female Urology, Metro Urology, Mpls./St Paul, MN – 2003-2004

Specialized Female Sexual Health Training, Institute of Sexual Medicine, Boston University - 2003

MS, Exercise Physiology & Biomechanics; St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN – 1987-1989

BS in Biology & BA in German, College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN – 1980-1984

Memberships/Awards:

AUA/UCF (Urology Care Foundation) Board of Director (2024-present)

AUA/UCF Education Board (2018-2024); Chair, Publication & Technology Committee (2022-2024)

American Urological Association (AUA) (1999-present)

Western Section of the American Urological Association (WS-AUA) (2013-present)

North Central Section of the AUA (NCS-AUA) (1999-2013)

Society of Women in Urology (SWIU) (1999-present)

• President (2017-2018), Board Member (2013-2020)
• Chair, Women’s Professional Development Webinar Series (2023-present)

Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU)

• DEI Taskforce; SUFU Research Network; Awards Committee (2003-present)

Washington State Urology Society (WSUS) (2013-present)

• House of Delegates (2023-present)

Minnesota Urologic Society (MUS) (2003-2013)

• President (2012-2013); BOD (2007-2013)

International Volunteers in Urology (IVUmed) (2017-present)

International Continence Society (ICS) (2003-present)

International Urogynecology Association (IUGA) (2003-present)

International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) (2003-present)

American Urogynecology Society (AUGS) (2010-present) – Global Health special interest group