Development of a prototype for a Center for Women's Health at an academic medical center

The development of a centralized program in women's health is a challenge in a decentralized academic medical center and in the environment of healthcare transformation. The Center for Women's Health at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center has allowed the clinical and educational abilities of an academic faculty interested in gender-specific health to operate in the delivery of coordinated care. Within the structure of an academic environment come advantages and unique opportunities for solving deficiencies in healthcare but also the need to overcome obstacles inherent in a large system. Flexibility and creative problem solving are key to meeting the challenges of the changing environment of healthcare. Here we describe ventures to develop a model program of clinical care and education in the gender science of women's health.