WOMEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Who will be seeing me and treating me at the center?

Bat Sheva Marcus, LMSW, MPH, PhD Clinical Director

Bat Sheva Marcus wrote her dissertation on vibrator use in women 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 .  

She 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.

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’s 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.

Shannon Bertha, DHS, ACS

Shannon Bertha is a sexual counselor who has taught high school sex education classes and is currently a professor at Kean University and Middlesex County College, both in New Jersey. She earned her doctorate of human sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. She earned her master’s degree in professional studies in health education from the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public health from Cook College at Rutgers University. She also studied at the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands, focusing on sexual cultural differences within societies. Shannon believes that understanding their sexuality will help women address their sexual concerns. She compassionately educates her patients to help them improve their relationships and sex lives.

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.