Jo Marie Gellerman
(520) 626-7219
July 29, 2008
Christian O. Twiss, MD, has joined The University of Arizona Department of Surgery as director of Female Urology, Pelvic Medicine, and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, and assistant professor of clinical surgery. With his appointment, Dr. Twiss will help to develop a Center for Pelvic Medicine at University Medical Center.
The Center will provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of female pelvic disorders. Specialists in urology, gynecology, colorectal surgery, physiotherapy, pain management and psychiatry will work as a team to treat women diagnosed with urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, fecal incontinence, pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction. These problems can be caused by aging and menopause, vaginal childbirth, obesity and diabetes.
“Over the next three decades, the number of women seeking treatment for these problems will increase by nearly 50 percent,” explained Dr. Twiss. “Within the next 20 years, nearly 50 percent of women will suffer from pelvic floor disorders, and one out of every 10 will need surgery to correct these conditions in their lifetime,” he said.
Dr. Twiss completed both medical school and residency training at New York University and completed a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS), Female Urology, and Urodynamics at the University of California, Los Angeles, one of the few fellowships in the country accredited by both the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) and the American Board of Urology (ABU). His research interests include incontinence treatment, urodynamics, interstitial cystitis and outcomes research in incontinence and pelvic reconstructive surgery.
“The addition of Dr. Twiss, a fellowship-trained expert on pelvic dysfunctions, offers hope to patients who previously may have had difficulty finding treatment,” said Rainer Gruessner, MD, professor and chairman, UA Department of Surgery.
“The overall vision of the UA Department of Surgery is to build a Center of Excellence for Pelvic Medicine that is committed to bringing together highly qualified physicians from many disciplines, including urologists, colorectal surgeons and gynecologists, to provide the best patient care,” he said.
UA College of Medicine
1501 N. Campbell Avenue
PO Box 245017
Tucson, Arizona 85724
Tel: (520) 626-4555
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix in partnership with ASU
550 E. Van Buren Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Tel: (602) 827-2001
Fax: (602) 827-2074