AT THE FOREFRONT

UChicago Medicine’s newest location in Northbrook offers the highest quality, cutting-edge urogynecology care for women in and around the Northern Suburbs. The practice’s four doctors—Sarah Collins, M.D., Christina Lewicky-Gaupp, M.D., Margaret Mueller, M.D., and Kimberly Kenton, M.D., M.S., are all highly skilled pelvic reconstruction surgeons, treating pelvic floor disorders (PFD) including urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

In general, PFDs are a group of conditions that affect the pelvic floor, including the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, vagina, and bowel). PFDs are very prevalent, and while they are more common in older women, they can occur at any age. In fact, twenty percent of American women undergo surgery for urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, which causes bulging in the vagina.

The four doctors practiced together in Lake Forest and downtown Chicago for more than a decade. This year, they strategically moved to UChicago Medicine and set out to establish the institution’s first footprint on the Northern Suburbs. Now, women north of Chicago have convenient access to the cutting-edge clinical care and research that the South Side academic medical center is known for.

“We are an established, academic, boutique practice with almost 25 years of experience addressing the depth and breadth of pelvic floor disorders,” says Dr. Kenton, who resides in Glenview. Dr. Collins, who lives in Western Springs adds, “We are renowned for offering patients customized solutions to their specific needs and goals, including a shared decision-making approach to treatment decisions.”

At its core, the practice’s philosophy is about improving women’s quality of life. “Pelvic floor disorders fall into two categories— incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse, essentially when ‘things’ fall down outside the body, often forcing women to cut back on activities,” says Glencoe resident Dr. Mueller. “As surgeons, we provide a variety of minimally invasive procedures and surgeries to help restore women’s active lifestyles. We also offer some non-surgical options for those looking for help but aren’t ready or interested in pursuing the surgical path.”

“We are fellowship-trained and board certified, meaning we have as many years of training as a neurosurgeon,” Dr. Lewicky- Gaupp, a Winnetka resident. “The advantage of our rigorous training, combined with our involvement in academics, means we are always abreast of new research, technologies, and treatments.

The pipeline to innovation is facilitated by federally funded, National Institute of Health clinical trials. The doctors are currently involved in several research projects that will lead to better outcomes and results for patients.

Thanks to research, these surgeon-scientists have shifted the paradigm of recovery expectations. After surgery, women often received antiquated counseling about activity restrictions, such as avoiding high-impact activities, exercise or lifting. These traditional restrictions are not scientifically justified, and newer ones have been shown to be safe. “One of the unique perspectives that sets us apart is our encouragement for patients to maintain their lifestyle. They don’t have to stop exercising; they can have their procedure and be back to running within two or three days,” explains Dr. Kenton. “This approach is based on a large study that our group conducted and published.”

Evidence-based medicine. A commitment to patient-centered care. Innovative surgical options. Just a few reasons why UChicago Medicine’s Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery practice is one of the best in the country.

University of Chicago Medicine Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery is located at 400 Skokie Blvd, Suite 300, in Northbrook, 773-795-8777, uchicagomedicine.org/urogynecology.