PROFILE
UROLOGY HEALTH FOR BOTH SEXES The urology team takes care of issues that effect men as well as women. BY CHRIS DUFRESNE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE DEMENT
W
hen a patient is initially referred to a Urologist, it’s not uncommon that their thoughts might drift to prostate cancer care or the “little blue pill.” Without a doubt, male reproductive and sexual health is a large part of urology, but they’re really only two components of a much more diverse specialty. The practice of urology focuses on both the male and female urinary tract system and encompasses a range of issues and diseases associated with the bladder, kidneys, ureters, urethra, sexual function, and the male reproductive organs. Frequently, many aspects of the field are misunderstood, including the type of doctors who practice this area of medicine. Throughout the long history of urological practice and procedures – dating back to ancient times – urology has traditionally been a man’s field. That is slowly changing. Since 1962, when Dr. Elisabeth Pickett became the first board-certified, female urologist, more and more women have been entering the profession. With both a sharp increase of women in medical school, along with higher numbers who are choosing urology residency programs upon graduation, projections suggest a steady increase in female providers. Still, numbers remain disproportionate. Of the 10,000+ Urologists now in the United States, less than 400 are females. Based on these figures, an assumption could be made that
52
A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M
female urologists are few and far between. But, The Urology Team, with offices in Austin, Westlake, and Round Rock, is proving otherwise. This 60+ year-old practice currently has eight providers, three of which are female. Physicians Melody Denson and Miranda Hardee, along with Physician Assistant, Danielle Manes, are offering urological health care to women and men across Central Texas. Their number will continue to grow this summer when Dr. Elizabeth Mobley joins the practice. While seeing many male patients over the years, Dr. Melody Denson’s patient base is primarily female – a focus that she is passionate about and feels that she can relate to. “I have been pregnant, delivered a child, and have experienced urinary tract infections. I can relate to my female patients and their issues because I’ve been there myself.” As a result, her observations concur with what studies are indicating, that female patients often prefer to work with female providers. “Just as many women choose to see a female obstetrician or gynecologist, they also choose to see a female urologist because they’re dealing with potentially embarrassing conditions, or for privacy reasons.” Multiple studies have shown that female (and male) patients feel that female providers are more empathetic and spend more time with their patients. Dr. Miranda Hardee, who joined the practice in 2013, agrees that, “Most female patients find comfort and reassurance in discussing their problems with a woman who can relate to their symptoms, which allows them to more easily discuss personal conditions.” She also feels that, “This is especially important when