Alan D. Winkler Receives Spirit of Independence Award at LUGPA Annual Meeting

At the LUGPA 2023 Annual Meeting, Alan D. Winkler, MHSA, FACMPE, received the Spirit of Independence Award in recognition of his work to strengthen and preserve the practice of independent urology during his career as a dedicated health care executive.

	Listen to all the award acceptance speeches here.

Mr. Winkler became a member of LUGPA in 2012 when he joined Urology San Antonio, where he is currently executive director. Mr. Winkler has played an active role in LUGPA leadership over the years, including by serving as a member of LUGPA’s Board of Directors since 2017. He has also been on a variety of LUGPA taskforces, addressing issues that include conflict of interest, strategic planning, compensation and the code of conduct. Mr. Winkler has led the Practice Administrators’ Committee since 2018 and been instrumental in planning the Thursday full-day Practice Administrators’ Workshop agenda at LUGPA’s Annual Meetings.

“I am deeply honored to be the recipient of this year’s Spirit of Independence Award,” Mr. Winkler said. “Coming from LUGPA, this recognition is deeply meaningful. With a professional career of over forty years, I can say that LUGPA has proven to be an organization that stands apart as distinctively supportive, relevant and action oriented.”

Mr. Winkler has worked across private practices and in corporate hospital systems with physicians in a variety of specialties. He is a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE), and he served on the Board of Directors for ACMPE and the Medical Group Management Association for nine years.

Shortly after joining Urology San Antonio, Mr. Winkler attended his first LUGPA conference and met people with whom he continues to be close friends. He emphasizes the close-knit nature of the LUGPA community, explaining that attending LUGPA meetings is “like attending a family reunion.”

“That’s what makes LUGPA and independent practices unique,” Mr. Winkler said. “We help one another without reservation. We are independent in spirit, but we are always willing to share both our successes and our challenges, so we can learn from one another and can improve the exceptional care that independent group practices provide to patients.”

Mr. Winkler extends his appreciation to his physicians and teammates at Urology San Antonio, his family and his LUGPA colleagues.

“Thank you for sharing your independent spirit—and thank you for this incredible honor.”