Introducing Anne Sammarco, MD, MPH - Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
December 09, 2021
UH OBGYN Update | December 2021
Anne Sammarco, MD, MPH joined University Hospitals Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery in 2021. Dr. Sammarco received her undergraduate degree from Colgate University. She completed her medical school training at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, where she also completed her Masters in Public Health. She went on to her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, and completed her fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Michigan.
Anne Sammarco, MDDr. Sammarco has expertise in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, maternal birth injury, fistula care and gender affirming surgery. She has extensive experience with the vaginal approach to surgery and also offers other minimally invasive approaches to care.
In her practice, Dr. Sammarco provides comprehensive care in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery for patients with pelvic floor disorders. Although many of the issues she treats are very common, Dr. Sammarco finds that people don’t really talk about them, “often I am the first person they’ve ever mentioned the issue to” says Dr. Sammarco.
Her patient care philosophy centers around an individually tailored plan of care for each patient. “When patients come to see me, they are often pleasantly surprised that there are a variety of options for treatment, and we really work to create an individualized plan” she says, “there’s a range of therapies that start with lifestyle changes and physical therapy, through to medications and at the other end of the spectrum is surgery”. Her clinical expertise includes vaginal, laparoscopic and robotic surgery as well as a variety of conservative therapies.
Dr. Sammarco is actively engaged in both research and quality improvement initiatives aimed at care of the maternal pelvic floor after traumatic deliveries. Her research interests include understanding the mechanisms of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence using pelvic floor MRI and imaging. She is the Group Leader for the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons Pelvic Anatomy Imaging Group which is an international group of physicians focused on using pelvic floor imaging to enhance understanding of these disorders.
“I really love what I do” says Dr. Sammarco, “because I get to see patients who come in with a problem that is often affecting their quality of life, and help them solve that. It’s a really happy part of medicine to be part of.”
Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery at University Hospitals
University Hospitals is one of the few hospitals in the country to offer academically and clinically integrated urology and urogynecology in the Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Center. The center provides both a warm and understanding patient experience and multidisciplinary leadership in urology, gynecology, urogynecology, colorectal surgery, neurology and physical therapy to deal with a full range of female pelvic floor issues including:
- Conservative and surgical treatment of urinary incontinence
- Conservative and surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse including robotic surgery
- Novel treatments for overactive bladder/urinary incontinence
- Reconstructive surgery for all types of vaginal and pelvic disorders
- Female pelvic floor disorders
- Sexual dysfunction, including pelvic pain
Given that the primary cause of nursing home placement is toileting and the primary causative factor in elder death is falls (most often going to the bathroom), quality of life and life expectancy issues demand a more refined approach to incontinence. Our physicians understand the unique concerns of women and are dedicated to fundamental improvement in treatment in a comprehensive and compassionate manner. Nonsurgical therapies are emphasized whenever appropriate.