New GI clinic for women, staffed by women, opens

Staff Report

Photography courtesy of the Link, the Health System newsletter.

The staff of the new GI clinic for women includes, from left to right, Nicole Flaherty, R.D.; Cynthia Yoshida, M.D.; Beth Dierdorf, R.N., MSN; and Karen Beales, P.A.

A Women's Digestive Health Clinic has been created at the University Health System. The multidisciplinary clinic, which opened Sept. 1, incorporates gastroenterology, endoscopy, nutrition counseling and pain psychology.

"This is a clinic for women and staffed by women. It is very unique," said Dr. Cynthia Yoshida, associate professor of internal medicine and director of the new clinic.

The work in the clinic has implications beyond regular office visits, Yoshida explained. Patients have the opportunity to participate in a number of national clinical trials. In addition, there are plans to initiate a database to study gender-related gastrointestinal disorders.

According to the American Digestive Health Foundation, at least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic digestive diseases that impact their lifestyle, and many more people are affected less severely by digestive illness. Women are more likely than men to suffer from certain gastrointestinal illnesses and are equally affected by colon cancer, the most deadly digestive disease.

"It is important that women openly discuss digestive health with their physician. Women often think they are less at risk for digestive illnesses than men are. This is not true. Women need to be aware of the symptoms, risk factors and screening options for common digestive illnesses," Yoshida said.

Five practitioners plus a nutritionist and a pain psychologist, all female, staff the Women's Digestive Health Clinic, which is located at two University sites. One is at the Medical Center, the other at the Northridge facility on Rt. 250 west. The Northridge clinic is open Mondays from 8 a.m.-noon; the hospital clinic is open Fridays from 8 a.m.-noon. For information, call 924-9582.