Educating the Public: Lisa Martinez

By OBOS — May 1, 2009

From 2009 – 2011, Our Bodies Ourselves honored the work of women’s health advocates worldwide by asking readers to nominate their favorite women’s health hero. View all nominees by year: 2009, 2010, 2011

Entrant: Robyn Carey Allgeyer

Nominee: Lisa Martinez, RN/JD, Founder and Executive Director of The Women’s Sexual Health Foundation

lisa-martinez-rn-jdI am nominating Lisa Martinez RN/JD for her commitment to helping women become their own best advocate for their sexual health and her dedication to providing educational resources and a forum for healthcare professionals and women through The Women’s Sexual Health Foundation (TWSHF).

The Women’s Sexual Health Foundation’s primary mission is to educate the public and healthcare providers on how medical conditions can impact their sexual health. Lisa’s path to her establishing the foundation is a deeply personal one. Her own sexual health issues following surgery sent her seeking answers from the medical community.

“I hit a lot of brick walls,” she said. “My doctors tried to help but they admitted they were not very knowledgeable, so I went to the East coast for care.” There she not only found the proper care, but she was also validated for the first time. She realized that her problem was physiological – not “just in my head.”

While still a patient at Boston University, she was invited to speak at a conference on “How Hysterectomy Affects Sexual Function.” The response to her presentation was extremely positive.  She had clearly identified a need, and was encouraged to start an organization for women. She came home from Boston and within one week in March 2003, she decided on a name and a mission statement and launched a website, www.TWSHF.org.

An international advisory board of thought leaders in the field of women’s sexual health was selected, and in October 2003, Lisa was invited to Amsterdam to attend the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. She took TWSHF education brochures, which received tremendous attention from the doctors, researchers, and other healthcare providers at the conference.

“It was obvious to me after Amsterdam that a foundation was needed to support a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of women’s sexual health issues and serve as an educational resource for both the lay public and healthcare professionals.”

As Lisa’s health problems resolved, she realized not all women have access to the care she received. She couldn’t stop thinking about those women who don’t know how to navigate the health system until they find the right care; those who were suffering in silence and the universal challenge of all women – how to talk about sexual health problems with your doctor.

Remember 20 years ago when we didn’t talk about breast cancer? In fact, we didn’t even say the word breast!

“For whatever reason, women and healthcare providers have not historically held appropriate, healthy discussions concerning sexual health, which is part of who we are as human beings,” Lisa says.  “Having a fulfilling sex life is part of having a full life.” She adds:

One reason may be because doctors receive little if any training in this area. Plus, if the doctor does not open the door to the discussion on sexual health issues, research shows women generally will not bring up the topic.  This creates a gap in information and treatment for women.  In addition, there are medical conditions and medications that impact a woman’s sexual function, such as cancer, diabetes, MS, hysterectomy, chemotherapy and antidepressants; however, doctors may not explore this with their patients.

In October 2008, Lisa co-authored the Foundation’s quarterly journal on “Cancer and Sexuality,” and made it available as a free download on www.twshf.org. This was a deeply personal project for her, because the year before she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her surgery, treatment and recovery have deepened her understanding and her commitment to the mission of TWSHF.

A Columbus, Ohio native, Lisa received her nursing diploma from Grant Hospital School of Nursing and attended Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. She then received a business degree in nursing management from the College of Mt. St. Joseph, and in 1991 she earned her law degree from the University of Cincinnati.  Currently, her “day job” is Director of Legal Services for a major healthcare system in SW Ohio.  She is the volunteer Executive Director of TWSHF and donates all speaking honorariums and fees back to the foundation, and works tirelessly to support the organization by writing grants and other fundraising efforts.

Women are asking questions. Does sexuality in older women exist? Does my physician take me seriously? Why did a routine hysterectomy cause such dramatic changes in my body? If I had only known the risks, would I have felt so alone with my symptoms?In an effort to get these conversations underway, TWSHF has partnered with the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons to present annual symposiums for healthcare professionals and the public on “Reclaiming Healthy Intimacy, Passion and Pleasure.” This year the TWSHF blog, written by Lisa, was  named the “100 Best Health Care Policy Blogs” by www.RNCentral.com and the Top Health Blogger by Wellsphere.

“Every woman needs to be her own advocate,” urges Martinez. “She can increase her chances of being the best advocate possible by becoming a knowledgeable consumer of healthcare. As a nurse and as a cancer survivor, I know it is devastating to feel alone. No woman should ever feel alone.” Lisa Martinez puts her heart and soul into The Women’s Sexual Health Foundation in order to provide that much-needed support for women around the world.

22 responses to “Educating the Public: Lisa Martinez”

  1. Great work! Hats off to a hero in the field of women’s health. Judy Kneece, President of EduCare Inc.

  2. Women need persons as Lisa Martinez. The importance of a healthy women’s sexuality and the complex endocrine function of the female body has so long been ignored by society but also by the medical community.
    Therefore we concerned women without sexual organs say: Thank you very much Lisa for your informative work!

    Femica- Austrian supportgroup for women without uterus and ovaries

  3. I happily vote for Lisa Martinez. She is a true advocate for women and has made a difference in so many women’s lives. We need more people like Lisa!

  4. One vote for Lisa Martinez–no button available.

    Because of Lisa Martinez, Denver now has an integrative medical office with endocrinologist and sex therapist working side-by-side, offering premier health care for women (and men)! Lisa rocks! She helped provide the first medical conference I have ever attended where egos were checked at the door and the patient’s best interest were paramount. She’s been the hub in the spokes of our wheel! Where would we be without her?

  5. Lisa Martinez goes out on a limb to bring women into the fold who might otherwise feel alone and without choices. IN a difficult to discuss area like sexual health, she breaks down cultural and gender barriers through the simple act of conversation. I realized the power of her advocacy when I went to a women’s forum in NYC and saw how her viewpoint created a new context for well shunned doctor-patient dialogue.

    I throw my hat in the ring for Lisa Martinez!

  6. I am amazed by all the hard work and energy Lisa Martinez has demonstrated over the past years. She has become an internationally reknowned expert and outspoken advocate for women’s sexual health.

  7. Go, Lisa!

    I am grateful for the work you do empowering women. Keep up the good work! Here’s a vote from me!

    With Gratitude,

    Jody

  8. Lisa has worked diligently to provide women with as much information as possible in the area of sexual medicine in order fr them to make informed decosions. I support her wholeheartedly

  9. Lisa is an amazing person, and she has done wonderful things to expand the voice for women’s health. She deserved this reward and more. count me in.

    I VOTE FOR LISA!

  10. Lisa is an amazing person, and she has done wonderful things to expand the voice for women’s health. She deserves this reward and more. Count me in.

    I VOTE FOR LISA!

  11. Lisa’s advocacy on behalf of women’s sexual concerns has been an inspiration to the medical community as well as to women across the U.S. She is most highly deserving of this award.

  12. I vote for Lisa (didn’t see a vote button) since she’s worked hard to provide women the knowledge, support and encouragement to persist in their quest for good sexual healthcare. Bravo!

  13. I would like to thank Robyn Carey Allgeyer for the wonderful nomination.

    It is such an honor to be listed among such great women who have accomplished so much.

    I would also like to thank all of those who have taken the time to support my nomination and have written such kind comments.

    I have always believed that if we worked together we could achieve enormous advances in women’s health.

    Lisa Martinez

Comments are closed.