Women's Sexual Health Professionals

The Medical Center for Female Sexuality is committed to helping women solve their sexual health challenges with compassionate and experienced staff trained specifically in female sexual health. We believe in a multifaceted approach to resolving problems that have evolved recently, or those that have lingered for years.

Bat Sheva Marcus, LMSW, MPH, PhD Clinical Director

Bat Sheva Marcus wrote her dissertation on women and vibrator use while earning her Doctor of Philosophy in human sexuality from the Institute of Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. She also has a Master’s in public health from the same institution. She is a licensed social worker with a Master’s degree from Columbia University.

Dr. Marcus is a founder of the Medical Center for Female Sexuality and has served as its director since the launch of the Center in 2000. Although in recent years her work has focused on the area of female sexuality, in the past she has also worked as the executive director of not-for-profit institutions and corporations, medical practices and laboratories. She is a frequent guest on television and radio and has lectured both nationally and overseas on a wide variety of women's issues.

Read Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus' PhD Dissertation: Changes in a Woman’s Sexual Experience and Expectations Following the Introduction of Electric Vibrator Assistance

Melissa Ferrara, FNP Associate Medical Director

Melissa Ferrara is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from Siena College with a B.S. in Biology in 1998. Melissa continued her education at Pace University earning a B.S.N. in 1999 and a M.S.N. in 2000. Melissa is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and is a clinical preceptor for Pace University and Stony Brook University. Her interests are in caring for women of all ages with whatever healthcare needs they may have. Melissa previously practiced women's health at Planned Parenthood in various areas of obstetrics and gynecology.

Cathleen Kneidl Physician Assistant

Cathleen earned her physician’s assistant degree from Albany Medical School. Prior to that, she earned a B.A. in social sciences from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She has been a physician’s assistant specializing in women’s health issues for more than 10 years. She has worked with gynecologists, infertility specialists and general practitioners. Cathleen also worked at Planned Parenthood for the past five years, meeting the obstetrical and gynecological needs of women. Cathleen believes that every woman should be able to work with her healthcare provider to develop the best treatment plan for her.

Tara Ford Physician Assistant

Tara Ford is a certified Physician Assistant and graduated with honors from Touro College of Health Sciences in New York. She completed a B.A. in psychology from SUNY Albany and studied at Bond University in Australia focusing on psychology and cultural diversity. After completing her undergraduate degree, Tara taught English in Japan and discovered a passion for writing about her travels, which resulted in the publication of her work in Newsday, a daily newspaper in Long Island, New York.

Before becoming a PA, Tara worked as a personal trainer certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), as well an HIV prevention educator for the Long Island Association for AIDS Care (LIAAC). As a Physician Assistant, Tara has worked in adolescent medicine, orthopedic surgery and with infectious disease experts at Albert Einstein College of Medicine conducting research studies focused on microbicide development for the prevention of HIV in women. Tara enjoys empowering women by giving them the tools and guidance needed to take charge of their health and enhance their wellness at every stage of their lives.

Barbara Gross, LMSW Sexuality Counselor

Barbara Gross is a social worker with expertise in women’s health and sexuality. She graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Philosophy. She has a Masters degree in Social Work from the Columbia University School of Social Work. She worked in maternal child health at Beth Israel Medical Center with high risk obstetrical and gynecological cases, as well as in the neo-natal Intensive Care unit. Barbara has been trained as an EFCT (emotionally-focused couples therapist) at the Ackerman Institute in New York City.

Michael A Werner, MD, FACS Medical Director

Although Dr. Werner does not generally see the patients, he reviews all evaluations and lab results, oversees all treatment, and follows all patient care. Upon request, he is always available for consultation after the initial evaluation.

Dr. Werner is a urologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of male erectile dysfunction and male infertility. He began to treat women with sexual dysfunction in the summer of 2001. Dr. Werner completed his specialized fellowship training in male sexual dysfunction at Boston University Medical Center and his urology residency at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. He received his medical school training at the University of California at San Francisco. He holds an undergraduate degree in biology from Harvard College.

Dr. Werner serves as the Regional Medical Advisor for New York and Connecticut, for the Impotence World Association and the Medical Director of M.A.Z.E. Laboratories. He is a co-author of numerous publications on the subject of sexual dysfunction.

Patients cite his "easy style" and sensitivity, especially regarding the impact of sexual dysfunction on relationships.

Contact us for more information about the center or call us to make an appointment at (914) 328-3700.