Originally Released: October 15, 1997
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University of Maryland wins designation as a center of excellence in women's health

In recognition of its excellence in medical care, education and research regarding women's health issues, the University of Maryland has been designated a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health by the U.S. Public Health Service's Office of Women's Health.

The University of Maryland becomes one of only 12 such recognized centers in the United States, and the only site in the mid-Atlantic region. With the designation comes a two-year, $347,075 federal award to coordinate women's health services, research and training for physicians and the community at large.

"We have a tremendous amount of expertise on this campus, with physicians, nurses and other health professionals who provide high quality medical care and leading research to improve the health of women," says Carl Weiner, M.D., professor and chairman of the department of OB/GYN.

"This designation recognizes our excellence and will enable us to move to the next level in serving our patients," adds Dr. Weiner, who is also the project director of the University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Women's Health.

The Center of Excellence will provide the umbrella for a fully integrated women's health program, with a comprehensive range of medical services, including preventive care, for women of all ages in Maryland. It will also make possible an expansion of clinical and basic research on conditions that primarily affect women. These include pregnancy, menopause, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders and violence, as well as gender differences in medical conditions such as heart disease.

"We envision bringing our significant multidisciplinary resources focused on women's health under one umbrella to provide coordinated, convenient care for our patients. In essence, it would be one-stop shopping," Dr. Weiner says.

Plans also call for outreach and leadership programs to educate consumers by providing printed materials, classes and support groups. Another component is development of a women's health curriculum for all levels of training within academic medicine.

The Center of Excellence in Women's Health brings together the expertise from the University of Maryland, Baltimore with the University of Maryland Medical System, the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Veteran's Administration Medical Center-Baltimore.

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This page was last updated on: June 6, 2008.