Women's Care
The Peggy V. Helmerich Women's Health Center offers the services of physician specialists in gynecological oncology, uro-gynecology, reproductive endocrinology, and breast surgery. Our physicians utilize the latest multidisciplinary approaches and proven procedures in caring for women.
Specialists are available to insure access to the newest treatments for incontinence, pelvic disorders, breast disease, and gynecologic cancer. These physicians afford patients the opportunity to participate in some of the newest research trials, innovative procedures, and medical services.
A beautiful Women's Care unit, comprised of all private suites, provides a peaceful setting for recovery from surgical and other procedures. The spacious rooms appear non-clinical with the look and feel of a nice hotel suite. Decorated in wood tones with soft lighting and an oversized shower, suites are very comfortable and include room-in guest accommodations.
Resources
- Breast Health
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer death. The American Cancer Society estimates that 211,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year and over 43,300 patients will die from the disease. Risk factors include early onset of menstruation, late onset of menopause, high-fat diet, family history, late or no pregnancies, high alcohol intake, use of estrogen replacement therapy, prior breast cancer, radiation to the chest wall and moderate obesity. The Leta M. Chapman Breast Health Center is designed just for women and their breast health. The exceptional staff strives to provide women with a caring, comfortable, and professional atmosphere while offering services from screening to post-mastectomy apparel. Early detection is critical for survival. For this reason, the center features state-of-the-art equipment for early diagnosis and accurate evaluation of breast cancer. Visit the Leta M. Chapman homepage section for more information or contact the center directly at (918) 579-8080. Take the Breast Cancer Risk Survey (pdf 11kb) now.
- Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the severe loss of bone, causing brittleness and weakness, particularly common in the spine, wrists and hips. Some bone loss is normal as people age; however, osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 8 million women in the U.S. One in two women over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime. In fact, women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis. The Leta M. Chapman Breast Health Center, located in the Peggy V. Helmerich Women's Health Center, is equipped to assist with early screening and detection of osteoporosis. Please visit the Leta M. Chapman homepage for more information about osteoporosis screening and technology.
- Cardiology
More than 8 million American women currently live with heart disease. One in three will die as a result, making it the #1 killer of women. Significant risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. Women often have atypical symptoms like new episodes of fatigue, shortness of breath, insomnia, indigestion, and/or an anxious feeling rather than the classic crushing chest pain and tingling down the left arm that men typically experience. Visit the Cardiology section for more information and cardiology resources for women. The Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI)
cardiologists and endocrinologists, can offer you complete heart care, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. - Surgical Care
With new surgical innovations being developed each day, it is important to have access to a group of well-trained surgeons. From mastectomies and lumpectomies to general surgery and bariatric procedures, the professionals at Oklahoma Surgery Inc. are prepared to meet the needs of women in all stages of life. The Orthopaedic Center
specializes in disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Noninvasive and surgical treatments are available for problems with foot and ankle, hand and wrist, knee, shoulder and elbow, spine, hip and sports injuries. The Orthopedic Center is located at 1265 South Utica and can be reached by phone at (918) 582-6800.The Peggy V. Helmerich Women's Health Center has Tulsa's only fellowship trained, board certified breast surgeon on staff. LaNette Smith, M.D., is dedicated to ensuring the best care and treatment available for breast health. Practicing the latest in breast preservation, Dr. Smith uses state-of-the-art techniques to preserve breast tissue following diagnosis of lumps or cancer. Dr. Smith can be reached at Breast Surgery of Tulsa, (918) 585-1200.
- Diabetes
There are 18.2 million people in the United States, who have diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and blurry vision. Detection can include a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test, which measures blood glucose level when no food has been eaten, or the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, which measures blood glucose level both after a fast and two hours after eating a high-sugar substance. Type I diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin and is the form found in about 5% - 10% of people with diabetes. Type II diabetes results from insulin resistance, where the body cannot properly use insulin. Type II diabetes is much more common, found in 90% - 95% of people with diabetes. Gestational diabetes only affects a small percentage of pregnant women, about 135,000 cases each year in the U.S. Prediabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than usual but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Over 41 million Americans currently have prediabetes.
The team of dedicated employees at the Hillcrest Center for Diabetes Management strives to give you the latest clinical information, answers to questions, and education on how to take control of your diabetes. Teams consist of dietitians and nurses, certified pump trainers, certified diabetes educators, exercise physiologists and behavioral health specialists, all of whom are eager to help you. Classes are available for Type I, Type II and Gestational diabetes. The expert team members also provide Dietary Counseling, Meal Planning, and Lifestyle Change & Behavior Adjustment Instruction. In addition, the center offers Insulin and Oral Medication Administration as well as Blood Glucose and Urine Testing. Nutrition consultations are available for Prediabetes patients. To obtain more information on the center, please call (918) 579-3385.
- Urinary Care
Urinary incontinence is uncontrollable leakage of urine from the bladder. Women experience urinary incontinence twice as often as men due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and the physical structure of the female urinary tract. Other causes may include neurologic injury, birth defects, stroke, multiple sclerosis and aging. However, the causes of urinary incontinence are treatable and frequently curable, but women need to see a physician for help. The Peggy V. Helmerich Women's Health Center offers a physician network of experienced urologists and uro-gynecologists to help relieve suffering. Treatments include exercise, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, timed maintenance, medication, pessaries, implants, catheterizations, and advanced surgical procedures. Urologists and most gynecologists are trained in the latest incontinence treatments. Click on our Physician Search to locate a gynecologist or urologist.
There is a new procedure available that can put an end to sudden urine loss or incontinence. SURx, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, uses radio frequency thermal energy (controlled heat) to increase the stability of the pelvic floor. Heating the tissue improves its stability because the tissue contains collagen, and collagen reacts to heat by shrinking and tightening. The pelvis floor then continues to stabilize during the normal tissue healing process and now is able to control urine flow. The SURx procedure is done on an outpatient basis at the Hillcrest Medical Center Outpatient Surgery Center. This procedure typically takes about 15 minutes, and most patients can resume normal daily activities within a few days. For more information, contact the OU Department of Urology
. - Gynecologic Oncology
Over 80,000 times per year, a woman in the United States is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, and about 26,000 women will die this year as a result. Gynecologic Oncology is a medical specialty that deals with the study and treatment of malignancies arising in the female reproductive tract. Ovary, endometrium, cervix, vulva and vagina are where the most common and serious gynecological malignancies occur. Gynecologic oncologists are cancer specialists trained in the biology and pathology of gynecologic cancers and ensure continuous patient care as opposed to the disjointed care of several different specialists.
