About Us
About Us
Mission and Vision
The West Virginia University, Robert C. Byrd Health Science National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health will provide holistic (physical, spiritual and mental) health care to the women of West Virginia. We will be the number one resource, to women and all leaders in health care in the state of West Virginia. We will be one of the top 25 providers of women’s health in the United States. We will improve the health of the women of West Virginia and ultimately, all West Virginians.
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Message from the Director
When I was a medical student, women comprised a fifth of the class, the standard patient was a 150-pound man, and certain professors called all their female patients ‘girls.’
Now approximately half of our class is composed of women and all adult females are called ‘women.’ Although we recognize there are gender differences in health and disease, these may not be emphasized in medical schools, with unfortunate results. Women often suffer more subtle symptoms during a myocardial infarct (heart attack) and are less likely to be diagnosed earlier. Pap tests are reimbursed at significantly lower levels than PSA although they are more labor-intensive. Drugs may behave differently in 100-pound women than in 150-pound men and women are less likely to participate in drug trials.
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WVCOE Director List
View the List of Directors