In recognition of Women’s History Month, Sarah Zuercher, MS, MSN, a certified women’s health nurse practitioner at Maimonides Health, spoke with Cheryl Wills at NY1 about historical gaps in women’s healthcare and how Maimonides is working to address them.
While pregnancy and reproductive care are important facets, they do not represent the full spectrum of women’s unique healthcare needs. For example, the menopause transition can be challenging to navigate and specialized care difficult to find. This is why Maimonides opened Brooklyn’s first comprehensive Menopause Center last year.
“The menopause transition and the hormone changes during the transition affect women head to toe. And so that’s another reason why we need a team of healthcare providers to make sure that all of women’s healthcare needs are met during this time,” said Zuercher.
She added, “Menopause care is not a luxury service. Menopause care is essential women’s healthcare.” As the biggest safety-net hospital in Brooklyn and a major provider of women’s healthcare, Maimonides works to have the diversity of the communities we serve reflected in our providers and staff, as well as comprehensive translation services, so women can get the care they need in the language they’re most comfortable using.
Maimonides is also home to the Women’s Neurology Center, the city’s first dedicated center for women’s neurological health. “Hormones play a big role in neurological health for women,” said Zuercher.
In addition, Maimonides has been awarded $40,000 from the American Board of Internal Medicine for clinical leadership training programs that address health inequities, including those experienced by women.
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About Maimonides Health
Maimonides Health is Brooklyn’s largest healthcare system, providing more than 1 million patient visits each year through the system’s three hospitals, 1,800+ physicians, and more than 80 community-based practices and outpatient centers. Our system is anchored by Maimonides Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest independent teaching hospitals and home to centers of excellence in numerous specialties; Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital (formerly New York Community Hospital), a 130-bed adult medical–surgical hospital; and Maimonides Children’s Hospital, Brooklyn’s only children’s hospital and only pediatric trauma center.
Maimonides’ clinical programs rank among the best in the country for patient outcomes, including our Heart and Vascular Institute, Neurosciences Institute, Bone and Joint Center, and Cancer Center. For additional information, please visit www.maimo.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.