Dr. Jan Werbinski has been practicing medicine in the Kalamazoo area for about 35 years and has a large practice that has aged as she has aged. Today, the bulk of her practice is over 50 years old.
As a result, she says she felt she should get additional education to help those women with the issues that come with menopause -- hot flashes, heart disease, hormone therapy, osteoporosis preventions, sexuality issues, and depression, among others.
She became familiar with the North American Menopause Society through reading its journal, Menopause. NAMS administers an examination and offers certification designating those who take it as a Certified Menopause provider. Werbinski decided to pursue certification.
"It is a voluntary exam, and not required for doctors," Werbinski says, "but I thought it would let patients know that I have a special interest, and training, in caring for the menopausal woman. I don't think it is essential that all doctors get this certification, but it does help women identify those providers with added interest and training."
The North American Menopause Society developed a competency examination program in 2002 to set the standards for menopause practice and assist women in locating clinicians who could provide optimal menopause-related health care.
Werbinski says there are about 500 certified menopause providers worldwide and about 35 in Southwest Michigan. Certified nurse practitioner Pam Wadsworth, NP, NCMP, also has recently become a Certified Menopause Practitioner.
Both women are
Borgess Women's Health practitioners.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Jan Werbinski, Borgess Women's Health
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