ATRIUS HEALTH FOUNDATION RECEIVES FIRST GRANT FOR
CREATION OF VULVOVAGINAL DISORDERS PROGRAM

Newton, MA (May 11, 2009) – Less than a month after the Atrius Health Foundation was officially formed, the first grant has been secured from a donor who prefers to remain anonymous. The grant for $30,000 will support creation of a Vulvovaginal Disorders Resource Program, which will be the first of its kind in the nation.

The new Resource Program will be led by Elizabeth Stewart, MD, of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Burlington and will enable Dr. Stewart and her colleagues to complete development of the first comprehensive algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of hundreds of vulvovaginal disorders. Dr. Stewart, co-founder and director of the Vulvovaginal Service, is Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harvard Medical School and author of “The ‘V’ Book: A Doctor’s Guide to Vulvovaginal Health.”

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates pioneered the Vulvovaginal Service under the leadership of Dr. Stewart and Diana Parks-Forbes, NP in 1992. The service offers diagnosis and treatment of difficult vulvovaginal conditions by a team of physicians and nurses.

According to Dr. Stewart, there are tens of thousands of women whose often painful and disfiguring vulvovaginal symptoms are misdiagnosed or mistreated because of a lack of training that currently exists for physicians. The unique diagnostic and treatment tool to be developed by the newly-funded Resource Program will be made available online. Eventually, the Program will include development of a series of educational modules targeted at medical students, practicing clinicians and patients.

“This is a great beginning for the Foundation and a testament to the magnificent work of Dr. Stewart and her colleagues. Soon they will bring their tremendous knowledge of vulvovaginal disorders to a broader range of physicians and other care providers across the country,” said William F. Aikman, president and ceo of the Atrius Health Foundation.

Back to Atrius Health News