UC Health Women's Center Opens in West Chester

When a focus group was asked two years ago to describe the ideal women's health center, one word popped up repeatedly: "comprehensive."

The women participating may not have known it at the time, but their input was vital to realizing the creation of a one-stop-shop medical care model.

Now, the

UC Health Women's Center

is poised to revolutionize the way services are provided to a key population in Greater Cincinnati.

The center, which celebrated its opening last week with a ribbon cutting, private event and community open house with over 300 attendees, introduces a team-based, comprehensive health care experience under the leadership of Lisa Larkin, MD, director of the UC Health Women's Center. Larkin is also associate professor/director of the midlife women's health and primary care division in the UC College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

"We will serve women's needs with superior coordination among providers, through a team-based approach that leads to better overall health for each patient," says Larkin. "With the UC Health Women's Center, we are able to bring together primary care and specialty providers to meet this need and offer an innovative resource for women and the community."

Jim Kingsbury, president and CEO of UC Health, commented on the speed with which Larkin has built a medical home model for the delivery of comprehensive women's health care, saying it was an amazing testament to her passionate efforts to create a health care delivery model that will gain national attention over the coming years.

"Late last year, UC Health kicked off our five-year strategic plan, called 20-1-7," Kingsbury said. "The Plan has 20 initiatives and I'm excited to say we're well on our way. Initiative No. 11 was the opening of the UC Health Women's Center, the core of our future plans to advance women's health."

The UC Health Women's Center team delivers care informed by an understanding of gender differences in biology, physiology and response to disease. The physicians' goal is turning breakthrough research discoveries into improved treatments and therapies, ultimately helping women live longer, healthier lives, says Larkin.

Kevin Joseph, MD, president and CEO of nearby West Chester Hospital, is excited that this system of care offers the community integrated services from prevention to treatment.

"Together we can help with the acute issues and the long-term care of our community," Joseph said, adding, "Close relationships with specialty providers, including many nationally recognized experts in their fields, ensure patients will receive the highest level of care as seamlessly as possible. Improved communication among providers allows patients' referring physicians to continue managing their care while they are seen by the women's center team."

About the Women's Center

The UC Health Women's Center occupies the fourth floor of the UC Health Physicians Office South building on the West Chester Hospital campus comprising:

? 26,000 sq. ft.

? 47 exam rooms

? 20 physicians, in addition to Larkin, practicing at the center

? 2 conference spaces, an education classroom and café

Women's center physicians will oversee a woman's health throughout her lifetime. Services include:

? Women's primary care

? Comprehensive breast services

? Obstetrics and gynecology

? Menopause and sexual health

? Internal medicine subspecialties

? Plastic surgery and skin care

? Integrative medicine and wellness

UC Health Women's Center anticipates adding the following services by fall 2013:

? Executive physical health and wellness

? Cancer survivorship program

? Nutrition services

? Headache clinic

? Medical weight loss

? Osteoporosis and bone health

? Diabetes and endocrinology

? Pulmonology and cardiology

? Hematology oncology

? Orthopedics and sports medicine

? Adolescent gynecology and transitional care