Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Marc R. Laufer, MD, Director
Chief of Gynecology, Associate in Surgery, Children’s Hospital Boston
Co-Director, Center for Young Women’s Health (CYWH)
FACULTY (Children’s Hospital Boston)
S. Jean Emans, MD, Co-Director, CYWH
Amy DiVasta, MD
Roxane Gardner, MD
Maureen Lynch, MD
Toni-Beth Walzer, MD
Merrill Weitzel, MD, Director, Pap Smear Program
Vicki Burke, RN, BSN, GYN Nurse
Phaedra Thomas RN, BSN, Nurse Educator, CYWH
MISSION
The Division, located at Children’s Hospital Boston, is a collaborative effort between the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at BWH and the Department of Surgery at Children’s Hospital Boston. Our mission is to be a leader in clinical care, teaching and research on a local, national and international level in the field of pediatric and adolescent gynecology.
Our faculty provides critical training for residents in outpatient and inpatient care for females from birth to age 21. Residents are exposed to a wide range of pediatric and adolescent GYN issues and procedures such as reconstructive surgery of the genital tract, examination of the prepubertal child under anesthesia, pelviscopy, management of pelvic pain and endometriosis, breast surgery and ovarian masses in children and adolescents.
The Division promotes awareness of pediatric and adolescent gynecologic issues and supports community outreach programs available at Children’s Hospital Boston through the following resources:
§ The Center for Young Women’s Health (CYWH) is recognized internationally for its comprehensive services, community outreach and wide-ranging and accessible health information for underserved girls and their families (www.youngwomenshealth.org).
§ The Youth Advisory Program recruits and trains three students from Boston area high schools to provide peer support and educational programs for community groups in Boston and surrounding communities.
§ The Children’s Hospital League Resource Center at CYWH is staffed by a nurse and internet resource coordinator and equipped with books, pamphlets, videos, learning modules and computers with Internet access that allow teens and their families to learn about reproductive health issues and other health concerns in a comfortable environment.
§ The Resident Training Program holds monthly sessions between youth advisors and pediatric residents to develop the best techniques for interviewing and providing medical care to teens.
§ Teen Talk Newsletter promotes health education and resources about topics such as nutrition and fitness, relationships, sun safety, vaccine recommendations, peer leadership and more.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN AY 2007-2008
§ Continued high volume with patients seen in the surgical and medical gynecology program by Dr. Laufer and in the ambulatory program by Drs. DiVasta, Emans, Gardner, Lynch, Walzer and Weitzel.
§ Dr. Laufer edited and produced, with the North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, an educational CD-ROM for pediatric gynecology training that will be distributed to all GYN residency programs in the US and Canada.
§ Co-sponsored two patient and family conferences with the CYWH: The 2nd annual Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome Conference was held in October 2007. Patients and their families from the US, Mexico, Canada and Ireland met with our faculty, participated in workshops and attended support groups. On May 31, 2008 the Division and CYWH hosted the 2nd annual Endometriosis Conference for patients and families.
§ 10th Anniversary of the CYWH and the League’s Resource Center, recognized as the premier source of health information for teen girls, young women, families, health care providers and educators around the world with cutting edge programs: a resource center, clinical services, outreach to the community and a website www.youngwomenshealth.org. The site received an average of 140,000 unique visitors a week from 196 countries and added health guides in English and Spanish on the HPV, Pertussis, and Meningococcal vaccines for teens, parents and school nurses along with a guide on Cyber-bullying.
§ Over 200 health guides were revised to reflect current CDC and FDA recommendations.
GOALS FOR AY 2008-2009
§ Expand clinic and create additional patient check-in areas.
§ Create more comprehensive outlines for patient care in endometriosis.
§ Collaborate with families and health care providers to strengthen patient support systems.
CYWH:
§ Develop more educational modules and materials with emphasis on preparing teens for surgery.
§ Translate materials/resources into Spanish to promote health literacy.
§ Promote funding to enhance online resources that will be interactive and appeal to teens.