Jan. 23, 2012

As a world leader in women’s health, Women’s College Hospital (WCH) is continuously exploring new ways to improve patient care and meet women’s unique and evolving health needs. Once renowned for its focus on both obstetrics and gynecology, the gynecology department today has shifted gears to a more specialized approach in women’s reproductive health.

“Our gynecology program is more focused on ambulatory care services, adapting to the hospital environment that we’re in today,” says Dr. Lisa Allen, site chief of gynecology.  “We are developing specific areas of expertise that provide women with the resources they need to make informed decisions about their care.”

Today, through an interprofessional team of physicians, surgeons, nurses and nurse clinicians, gynecology at Women’s College addresses key areas such as:

• urogynecology
• general gynecology
• cancer prevention
• reproductive endocrinology and infertility
• ambulatory surgery
• family planning

The urogynecology program includes a pessary clinic, where a certified nurse continence advisor, Frances Stewart, provides one-on-one assessment and education about uterovaginal prolapse, urinary incontinence and overactive bladder issues and treatments.

A pessary is a device that is placed into the vagina to support the uterus, bladder and rectum. It is a firm ring that presses against the wall of the vagina and urethra to help decrease leakage.

At WCH, Stewart’s role is absolutely essential. By working collaboratively with the urogynecologist, she helps reduce the risk of re-admittance and ER visits – a key function for an ambulatory hospital.

In addition, our colposcopy clinic focuses on cervical cancer prevention through patient education and by investigating abnormalities in Pap tests and treating pre-invasive disease. The general gynecology clinic provides resources for women with a variety of benign medical and surgical conditions requiring short-term care. 

“We want to get women out of the operating room and into procedural areas so that they can get back to their lives sooner,” says Dr. Allen.  “And we’re doing that by expanding our programs to serve more women with gynecologic care needs.”

The goal for 2012?

“To work more closely with other areas of the hospital to provide an interdisciplinary approach and enhanced holistic care,” adds Dr. Allen.

For more information about WCH’s gynecology program, click here.

Sumeet Makhija, clinical assistant; Fran Stewart, advanced practice nurse and nurse continence advisor; Dr. Lisa Allen, site chief and Wilma Pesongco, unit secretary