ACHIEVEMENT
“... I CONSIDER MYSELF A CLINICIAN, SCIENTIST, ENTREPRENEUR, AND A SOCIAL CHANGE AGENT. OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE PUBLISHED EXTENSIVELY IN THE AREA OF WHAT WE NOW CALL HEALTH EQUITY OR HEALTH INEQUITY. ” - Dr. Willie Underwood
surgery and urologic surgery residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center. After com- pleting his residency, Dr. Underwood became one of the first five urologists to be admitted into the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clini- cal Scholars Program. Previously, Dr. Under- wood served as president of the Erie County (New York) Medical Society. He was also a member of both the AMA and National Medical Association Commission to End Health Care Disparities, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educa- tion’s Urology Residency Review Committee, and the American Urological Association Public Policy Council. Dr. Underwood
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western and Northeastern New York and of The Joint Commission’s board of commissioners. He is the co-founder of KAPS Bio- technology LLC and holds patents for co-developing a biomarker for prostate cancer. Dr. Underwood served as an associate professor of oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s department of urology until 2019. He now works as a “locum tenens” (i.e. temporary) urolo- gist for various hospitals outside the Buffalo area and remains chief medical research officer with the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. Dr. Underwood asserts, “I love being a clinician. I consider myself a clinician, scientist, entrepreneur, and a social change agent. Over the
years, I have published extensively in the area of what we now call Health Equity or Health Inequity. I published extensively around Prostate Cancer and other cancers and diseases.” In 2024, Morehouse Col- lege bestowed its Thomas J. Blocker Society Living Legends Award for his con- tributions to excellence in healthcare. The prestigious award honored his work improving health policy, health equity, as well as his mentorship to countless students, fellows, and young physicians throughout his career. Dr. Underwood becomes the AMA presi- dent in June of 2026. In February 2026, Morehouse conferred its Benjamin Elijah “Bennie” Award to Dr. Underwood, along with fellow Kappas James L. Hudson (Pi 1959)
and Willie E. Woods Jr. (Pontiac (MI) Alumni 1987). The Bennie Award is one of the highest honors that Morehouse College bestows on its alumni. Among other past Kappa recipients include Lerone Bennett (Pi 1946), Dr. Henry L. Foster (Pi 1951), past Jr. Grand Vice Pole- march Donald L. Hense (Pi 1966), and US Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-GA) (Pi 1966). Among other awards and honors to Brother Dr. Underwood are the Ameri- can Urological Association (AUA) Rising Star Award and the Robert Wood Johnson Harold Amos Medical Career Develop- ment Award. Brother Dr. Willie Underwood lives in Buffalo,
NY, with his wife, the former Kadidia (Kadi) Petridis and family. ♦
also served as a board member of Highmark
WINTER 2025-2026 ♦ THE JOURNAL 77
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