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of childbirth, age or other physical stressors. Reduced support for the bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum can interfere with normal body functions, like urinary or bladder control, which can seriously compromise a woman's quality of life. Urologists and urogynecologists at the UH Urology Institute have teamed with gynecologists and psychologists at UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, as well as with other UH specialists, to offer patients a personalized, multidisciplinary approach to diagnos- ing and treating pelvic floor disorders. Reportedly the only center in Ohio to combine gynecology with urogynecology, the Female Pelvic Medicine & Surgery Center enables the delivery of integrated, highly specialized care to patients. Fer t i l i t y Center. Last September, the University Hospita ls Fertility Center opened a state-of-the-art facil- ity at UH Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood. This convenient, patient- friendly location serves as the hub for all fertility services. Patients with fertility problems also can be seen at UH MacDonald Women's Hospital in University Circle and at UH MacDonald Women's OB/GYN & Fer t i l it y Center in Twinsburg. A fourth center is planned to open in August across from Crocker Park in Westlake. These fertility centers provide the entire spectrum of fertility treat- ments ranging from simple medications to surgeries to all aspects of in vitro fer- tilization (IVF), including pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The medical staff of the center is comprised of James Goldfarb, MD; Bryan Hecht, MD; William Hurd, MD; Barry Peskin, MD; and Brooke Rossi, MD. Fertility team members have a history of innovative therapies, including being responsible for Ohio's first IVF birth in 1983 and the world's first IVF surrogate birth in 1986. Increasingly important to couples in this current economy is financial sup- port provided through a philanthropic organization, Partnership for Families, for qualifying patients who have failed previous IVF cycles or who need PGD or fertility preservation procedures before cancer therapy. Sexual Function and Vulvovaginal Health. Internationally recognized experts in sexual medicine, Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD, and Roya Rezaee, MD, co-direct a team of psychologists, gynecologists and physical therapists who offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services to women experiencing sexual disorders. Treatment of sexual disorders, such as vulvar pain, lack of sexual desire, and dif- ficulty reaching orgasm, often require a combina- tion of psychological and medical interventions. Dr. Kingsberg is the immediate past presi- dent of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexua l Health. She consults with a number of phar- maceutical companies that are developing novel treatment options for hypoactive sexual desire disorder, dyspareunia and anorgasmia. Clinical Trials Cl inica l resea rch Donna Plecha, MD, co-director of the Breast Health Center at UH MacDonald, is pictured with one of UH's tomosynthesis systems. This state-of-the-art mammography technology aids in the detection of breast cancer at its earliest and most curable stage. plays a major role at UH MacDona ld Women's Hospital. The MacDonald Clinical Research Unit (MCRU) was established in 2002 to conduct industry-sup- ported pharmaceutical drug trials in women's health and to support physician-initiated clinical research in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at UHCMC. HIPEC/HITEC. This fall, UH gynecologic oncologist Robert DeBernardo, MD, is preparing to launch clinical Phase I trials for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITEC). 14 | Cleveland-Akron-Canton MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM ■ JULY-AUGUST 2012 PHOTOS © SMITHBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY, NORTH CANTON