The Women’s Health Research Institute actively partners with other centers, institutes, research labs and clinics at Northwestern University and its clinical affiliates who are committed to sex and gender based research and care. Together, we are part of Northwestern Medicine. The following organizations have officially partnered with the Institute and, together, we have identified ways to share our individual skills and resources to enhance all of our programs and advance women’s health.
Asher Center for Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders

The Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders specializes in reproductive related depressions in women.  Located in the Arkes Family Pavilion, the new clinical program is designed to advance the following mission:

  • Developing novel assessment and diagnostic strategies, as well as pharmacologic and non-drug treatments for women of childbearing age and the the borader population of patients with mood disorders
  • Translating our scientific advances into practice and policy through publications, training and mentorship, and service development in women's mental health and mood disorders
  • Recruiting, supporting and retaining a highly skilled, diverse and multi-disciplinary professional staff that remains at the cutting edge of women's mental health and mood disorders research.

Mental disorders are the cause of more than 37% of disabilities worldwide, with depression being the leading cause of disability among people aged 15 and older, according to the World Health Organization’s Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors (2006).  Compared to men, women have twice the rate of depression, with a specific risk at puberty, premenstrually, postpartum, and in the perimenopause.  A striking 21% (1 of 5) women and 12% of men will have at least one episode of major depressive disorder in their lifetimes..  This is a clinical-research model that integrates new research findings into the clinical care options they offer patients.

Asher Center for Research and Treatment of Depressive Disorders
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Telephone:  312-695-8099
 

 

Center for Sleep & Circadian Biology at Northwestern University

The Center for Sleep & Circadian Biology (CSCB) is a University Research Center that integrates basic, clinical and translational research on sleep and circadian rhythms into a unified program at Northwestern University. The Center has as its goals 1) to foster research on the mechanisms that underlie the generation, expression and timing of sleep and circadian rhythms; 2) to determine the consequences of sleep disruption and circadian rhythm dysfunctions for human health, safety, performance and productivity; 3) to facilitate the development of treatments to alleviate the adverse effects of circadian dysfunction; and 4) to help educate sutdents and the general public about ciradian rhythms and sleep.

The Center creates an environment that fosters collaborations between researchers in different disciplines who have mutual research interests in the study of circadian rhythms and sleep.

 

Center for Women's Cardiovascular Health

The Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Center for Women's Cardiovascular Health is founded on the principles of identifying cardiovascular disease in women of all ages and providing care that is designed specifically for women. Marla A. Mendelson, MD, the medical director of the Center, is committed to meeting the needs of women affected by cardiovascular disease through a multidisciplinary team approach. Dr. Mendelson is joined by associate medical director Vera H. Rigolin, MD.

Together these physicians are dedicated to promoting women's awareness of cardiovascular health, addressing risk factors including stress, tobacco use, nutrition, and exercise, and committed to conducting research clinical trials to advance the knowledge of cardiovascular care for women.The Center for Women's Cardiovascular Health is developing a standard of care that recognizes women as unique individuals and tailors treatment strategies to optimize their specific cardiovascular needs.    Contact:  1-866-662-8467 (toll free).

Northwestern GI Behavioral Medicine

Northwestern’s Gastrointestinal Behavioral Medicine Service provides psychological and dietary services to patients with gastrointestinal conditions. Their services are beneficial for patients with a wide range of conditions, including those with poorly understood digestive symptoms who have not responded to standard medical interventions. They offer services that help the following conditions:  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), infammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, gastroparesis, reflux, bloating, binge eating, constipation, weight managment, bariatric surgery assessment and others.  To learn more, visit their website:   www.gipsych.org or call 312-695-2620.

     

 

Northwestern Medicine Integrated Pelvic Health Program
Northwestern’s Integrated Pelvic Heath Program features a unique team of specialists including urogynecologists, urologists and colorectal surgeons, who collaborate on the best treatment options for patients suffering from urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, among other complex pelvic floor disorders. In addition to the Chicago campus, Kenton sees patients at Northwestern Medicine’s Glenview Outpatient office.  Four Northwestern Medicine® physicians were among the first group of doctors nationally to achieve board certification in the subspecialty of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery.Kimberly S. Kenton, MD, Stephanie J. Kielb, MD, Lisa Labin Johnson, MD, and Christina Lewicky-Gaupp, MD, recently earned the new certification, which is jointly recognized by the American Boards of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Urology. 
 
Before the board subspecialty was offered, doctors entered the field through certification either in urology or gynecology. The new Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery recognizes the complexity and multidisciplinary skill needed to treat pelvic disorders. To make an appointment at the Integrated Pelvic Health Program, call (312) 926-4747 or visit the website.
Oncofertility Consortium

The Oncofertility Consortium® is a national, interdisciplinary initiative designed to explore the reproductive future of cancer survivors. Initial funding was provided by the National Institutes of Healththrough the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research/Common Fund.

Survival rates among young cancer patients have steadily increased over the past four decades in part because of the development of more effective cancer treatments. Today, both women and men can look forward to life after cancer, yet many may face the possibility of infertility as a result of the disease itself or these lifesaving treatments. The Oncofertility Consortium® was developed to address the complex health care and quality-of-life issues that concern young cancer patients whose fertility may be threatened by their disease or its treatment.

The Oncofertility Consortium® brings together professionals in reproductive medicine, reproductive health research, oncology, biomechanics, materials science, mathematics, social science, bioethics, religion, policy research and educational sciences to expand current knowledge, research, clinical practice, and training for a wide spectrum of issues including:

  • Mechanisms underlying the fertility threat of life-preserving cancer drugs.
  • Methods for cryopreservation (freezing), storing and growing ovarian and gonadal tissue.
  • In vitro follicle growth and oocyte maturation using a three-dimensional environment.
  • Communication barriers between cancer patients and health care providers.
  • Influence of gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic and family status on fertility-related decision making.
  • Role of health care practitioners, clergy and counselors in decision making.
  • Parental decision making by families facing a child’s cancer diagnosis.
  • Ethical and legal concerns regarding the use of fertility preservation technologies in cancer patients.
  • Cost/benefit analyses of fertility preservation options.

Below you’ll find links with information for patients, healthcare providers, and researchers, as well as resources that will help navigate the complex fertility issues facing patients with cancer and other serious diseases. 

Patients

Healthcare Professionals

Researchers

The Women's Neurology Center

The Women's Neurology Center offers sub-specialty consultations in many areas of neurology with special attention to how a patient’s neurological condition affects her as a woman.  Our neurologists are experts in the fields of migraine, sleep disorders, vertigo, stroke, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. They also have particular experience and interest in women’s health. The Women’s Neurology Center is part of the Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine.

For appointments and more information, please contact the clinic at 312-695-1WNC (1962)

Faculty: Hrayr Attarian, MD (sleep disorders), Yvonne Curran, MD (stroke, migraine), Joy Derwenskus, DO (multiple sclerosis), Elizabeth Gerard, MD (epilepsy), Ramadevi Gourineni, MD  (sleep disorders), Jack Rozental, MD, PhD, MBA (vertigo, migraine)

Website: www.nmff.org/womensneurology

Women's HIV Program at Northwestern

The Women's HIV Program at the Infectious Disease Center at Northwestern Memorial Hopsital is directed by Patricia Garcia, MD along with Sarah Sutton, MD, who lead a dedicated team of multi-disciplinary professionals to provide a comprehensive  and holistic approach to the HIV treatment of women.  The services include:

  • Specialized pharmacists who focus on HIV medications throughout the life cycle of women, including pregnancy
  • Access to research studies, including studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health
  • Preconception counseling appointments, including options for becoming pregnant
  • Complete obstetrical care for HIV-positive pregnant women
  • A dedicated health psychologist available to pregnant women with mental health concerns
  • A peer mentorship program, pairing women with shared interests
  • Family planning services, including referral to complete gynecological care, including breast health, pap smears and annual exams.

This program is the largest provider of obstetric care for HIV-positive mothers in Illinois.   Over 390 babies have been born HIV-free through this program.  To learn more:  visit  http://hope-chicago.org/learn/

Women's Skin Health Program at Northwestern

The Women's Skin Health Program provides women of all ages and stages of life with comprehensive medical and surgical dermatologic care.  Patients receive medical treatment and education regarding common skin disorders such as acne and rosacea as well as surgical and cosmetic consultations.  Skin concerns and diseases that occur during pregnancy are areas of specific interest and expertise.  The Women's Skin Program is part of the Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine.

Faculty: Bethanee Schlosser, MD, PhD (Director, pictured), Maria Colavincenzo, MD, Roopal Kundu, MD, Anne Laumann, MBChB, MRCP (UK), Murad Alam, MD, Simon Yoo, MD. Emily Keimig,MD,  and Stavonnie Patterson, MD.

For appointments and more information, please contact the clinic at 312-695-8106.