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The Center for Vulvar Diseases
The Center for Vulvar Diseases' key staff members are from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. During her first visit to the center, each patient will see a physician for diagnosis and development of a treatment plan. Throughout treatment, women see providers from various disciplines to best meet their specific needs. Each of the clinic's care providers approaches vulvar disease from a different angle, thus increasing a patient's options and chances for recovery. The staff has found that sometimes the clinic can help a woman recover from her condition after a different provider has had little success. Dr. Hope Haefner, founding member of the Center for Vulvar Diseases, and Dr. Arnold Advincula are the primary staff physicians; however, other physicians also are involved in the clinic. Ann Cook, R.N.C, M.S.N., is a registered nurse and a certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. She sees numerous patients, most on return visits to the center. The Center for Vulvar Diseases is not simply concerned with diagnosis and treatment, it is also concerned with education and social issues. Thus, every patient to the center will interact with Cheryl Sorg, R.N., and Claudia Kraus-Piper, M.S.W. Ms. Sorg helps educate patients--many of whom travel a great distance for treatment--spending much of her time on the phone answering questions and listening to concerns. Claudia Kraus-Piper is a social worker and a certified sex therapist who helps patients cope with the emotional and relationship issues associated with their condition. Sexuality may be particularly affected by a vulvar condition, as it can make intercourse painful. Ms. Kraus-Piper counsels women, and sometimes their partners as well, on how to best cope with the condition. Vulvar diseases are often difficult for a patient to tolerate, but the multidisciplinary team approach of the Center for Vulvar Diseases can help a woman manage and resolve them. The clinic is held every Friday afternoon. Appointments can be made with the UMHS Center for Vulvar Diseases by calling the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology appointment line at (734) 763-6295. Photo: © 2000 PhotoDisc, Inc.
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The UMHS Center for Vulvar Diseases was created in 1993 to better serve and treat women with diseases of the external genitalia, including vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis. The Center for Vulvar Diseases is one of only a handful of clinics that specialize in treating these conditions. It is the only center that treats vulvar diseases with a multidisciplinary approach.