Dr. Cindy Amundsen

Program Director Dr. Cindy Amundsen

Cindy Amundsen, MD, Roy T. Parker, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Duke School of Medicine, is the Fellowship Program Director for FPMRS. Her research focus is on  Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction / Pelvic Floor Disorders. Dr. Amundsen earned her M.D. from University of Tennessee, Memphis. She completed her Residency (Obstetrics & Gynecology) and her Fellowship (Urogynecology-Surgery) at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston.

Program Overview

The Duke fellowship is one of the first four accredited programs in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Our goal is to train and develop pelvic surgeon/scientists who will pursue productive academic careers and who will be preeminent clinicians. A large, diverse and complex referral patient population, cared for in conjunction with expert faculty, allows for training in vaginal, abdominal and robotic surgery as well as education in managing pelvic prolapse, urinary incontinence, neurogenic bladder, defecatory dysfunction, fecal incontinence and other pathologies requiring pelvic reconstruction.

In addition, we have a strong collaboration with Urology, Colorectal Surgery, Gastroenterology, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Physical Therapy and Basic Science Research. State-of- the-art neuropharmacology, molecular genetics, and micturition physiology laboratories, with ongoing research collaborations, are available for fellow participation. Fellows are mentored in research methodology and scientific investigation and regularly present original research at national meetings.

Fellows have the opportunity to obtain a Masters in Clinical Research during their three year FPMRS fellowship. 

Clinical Training

  • Diverse patient population with large referral base from NC and several surrounding states
  • Five FPMRS board-certified Urogynecology faculty
  • Comprehensive expertise in FPMRS; training in office cystoscopy, complex urodynamics, intravesical botulinum, sacral neuromodulation, posterior tibial nerve neuromodulation, endo-anal ultrasonography, anal manometry and other procedures
  • Collaborative environment with other disciplines relevant to pelvic function
  • Extensive training in vaginal, abdominal, and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence
  • Complex pelvic surgery including anal sphincteroplasty, surgical repair of vesico-vaginal/recto-vaginal fistulae, placement of ureteral stents, urethral diverticulectomy, ureteral re-implantation

Research Training

  • Emphasis on research methodology and study design
  • Mentoring in scientific writing & obtaining grants
  • All faculty have expertise in clinical research and actively mentor fellows
  • Clinical site for the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN)
  • Clinical site for the Lower Urinary Tract Disorders Network (LURN)

Extensive resources available at Duke University

 

Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Prospectus