Emily “Mimi” Lukacz, MD , director of urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery at UC San Diego Health, has been named the 2026 President of American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), the premier non-profit organization representing professionals dedicated to treating female pelvic floor disorders.
“This esteemed position recognizes Dr. Lukacz’s innovative leadership in the complex and evolving field of urogynecology,” said John Carethers, MD, vice chancellor for Health Sciences at University of California San Diego and gastroenterologist at UC San Diego Health. “As part of this new role with AUGS, Dr. Lukacz is actively working on strategies to streamline treatment by educating primary care providers and allied health professionals to ensure patients can easily navigate clinical pathways.”
Founded in 1979, AUGS represents more than 2,000 members across the United States, including practicing physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, nurses and health care professionals, and researchers from many disciplines. For members and constituents, AUGS is the primary source of clinical and scientific information and education in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery.
“UC San Diego Health is proud to be at the forefront of advancing urogynecology as a vital and rapidly evolving field,” said Patty Maysent, CEO of UC San Diego Health. “Dr. Lukacz’s appointment as AUGS president underscores the national impact of our physician leaders and highlights how their expertise is shaping subspecialty treatment options not only here in our region, but across the nation.”
As a board-certified urogynecologist at UC San Diego Health, Lukacz specializes in diagnosing, treating and studying female pelvic floor disorders, such as incontinence and prolapse.
Lukacz is also an assistant vice chancellor of Health Sciences-Academic Affairs at UC San Diego and a chair of the UC San Diego Institutional Review Board (IRB). She is principal investigator for more than 20 clinical trials and currently funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. She is heavily engaged in research and regularly discovers optimal treatments through the design and implementation of clinical trials.
“Up to 50% of women will suffer a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime and risk increases with age,” said Lukacz, professor in the department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “By utilizing resources available to us through AUGS, our physicians, staff and patients will have access to not only preventative education opportunities, but also advanced treatment options for those in need.”
Lukacz is fellowship trained and board certified in urogynecology. She completed both her residency and fellowship training at UC San Diego School of Medicine after earning her medical degree from University of Michigan School of Medicine. She holds a master’s degree in clinical research from UC San Diego.
One current clinical trial led by Lukacz across seven sites in the country, entitled the BASIS Study, is seeking to compare the two least invasive procedures for treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Her team is also managing clinical research at UC San Diego Health identifying optimal exercise programs for post-partum incontinence and comparisons of medications versus injections, such as Botox, for treatment of urgency incontinence.
“Our multidisciplinary team at UC San Diego Health is the leading authority in diagnosis, management and treatment of pelvic floor disorders in the region and we’re driving the science behind what works for patients in need,” said Lukacz. “Through my appointment as 2026 President of AUGS, we will ensure that physicians in the field are supported while they work to identify novel surgeries, advanced treatment options and delivery methods to restore pelvic floor health.”
For 2025-26, U.S. News & World Report ranked UC San Diego Health as the best hospital system in San Diego and among the nation’s best in nine adult medical and surgical specialties, with obstetrics and gynecology listed as top ten in the country. In 2025, the health system was also recognized as a Best Hospital for Maternity Care for the fourth year in a row.
