EVMS and Sentara announce joint clinical program Sentara EVMS Comprehensive Pelvic Floor Center

Story Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:09:00 EST

Sentara Healthcare and Eastern Virginia Medical School have combined their clinical, technological and research expertise to launch the new Sentara EVMS Comprehensive Pelvic Floor Center for the residents of Hampton Roads. The Center, on the campus of Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach, is designed to treat some of the most common pelvic floor disorders in men and women -- pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence of urine or stool, pelvic pain, or pain with intercourse.

“Pelvic conditions are much more common than many people realize”, says James Chivian Lukban, DO, Professor and Director of Urogynecology at EVMS. “In fact, almost half of all women and one in five men will experience urinary incontinence and roughly 10 percent of women will undergo surgery for pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence in their lifetime”.

The Sentara EVMS Comprehensive Pelvic Floor Center combines the latest in research, state-of-the-art technology, and a multidisciplinary care team to bring patients quality care through advanced diagnosis and treatment options.

“Comprehensive services and increased capacity will serve community residents very well,” says Stephen Porter, President of Sentara Princess Anne Hospital.

Many pelvic floor conditions are interrelated, so a patient's diagnosis and treatment may begin with one specialist and continue with another.  The Center brings together specialists in urogynecology, gastroenterology, specialized radiology, urology, colorectal medicine and surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, nutrition and physical therapy to provide individualized care for women and men with problems related to the lower urinary tract and the pelvic floor.

Additionally, the Center is focused on providing excellent customer service. There is a dedicated phone number answered by a specially trained nurse navigator who is there to help guide the patient throughout the course of care.

“We are extremely proud of the hospital’s contribution to the wellness of Hampton Roads citizens”, says Richard V. Homan, MD, Provost and Dean of EVMS. “This dedicated Center with its enhanced services will continue the tradition that Sentara has established of providing quality health care. This partnership makes it possible to offer the full range of state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic services for a broad range of pelvic floor disorders experienced by men and women.”

“We are excited about continuing our affiliation with Eastern Virginia Medical School, with its national reputation for research, medical education and clinical care,” says Porter.