October 6, 2011 (CHARLESTON, SC)—The National Association For Continence (NAFC) presented Dee Fenner, MD, with its Rodney Appell Continence Care Champion Award at the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) awards luncheon on September 17, held during the 2011 AUGS Scientific Meeting in Providence, RI. Vivian Sung, MD, a member of NAFC’s Board of Directors, presented the award, sponsored by Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals.

Fenner, director of gynecology at the University of Michigan Health Systems, is an accomplished and highly respected physician in the field of continence care. With clinical specialization in urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, she has published landmark research. One such study was published in 1997 on the use of mesh in gynecology surgery. Today in the US synthetic mesh slings are considered the gold standard of care for stress urinary incontinence in women.

As past president of AUGS and officer for other related professional societies, Fenner is recognized as a health care professional who constantly strives to raise the bar and enhance clinical practice for improved patient outcomes. She has examined the operating room process in search of improvements, promoted faculty development for enhanced teaching skills and served on the bed utilization committee of her medical facility. “It comes as no surprise that Dee is being recognized as a champion in continence care,” stated Deborah Myers, MD, FACOG, immediate past president of AUGS. “Her dedication and contributions encompass all aspects of this award.”

Established in 2000 to recognize health care providers who serve as role models to others for outstanding contributions in research, education and clinical practice, NAFC’s Rodney Appell Continence Care Champion Award raises awareness among a variety of professional societies and elevates the importance of addressing incontinence. A listing of all past award recipients can be found on NAFC’s website, in the Hall of Fame. Renamed in memory of Dr. Rodney Appell in 2009, this award is in honor of Dr. Appell’s dedication to patient education and advocacy. A special patient education fund, created to help continue Dr. Appell’s legacy has been established.

About University of Michigan Health Systems
The University of Michigan Health System includes the U-M Hospitals & Health Centers, which comprises three hospitals and dozens of outpatient health centers and clinics; the U-M Medical School with its Faculty Group Practice and extensive research and education programs; the clinical operations of the U-M School of Nursing; and the Michigan Health Corp. The three U-M hospitals are University Hospital, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital. UMHS has been recognized numerous times for excellence in patient care, including 17 years on the honor roll of "America's Best Hospitals," as compiled by U.S. News & World Report. The U-M Medical School is one of the nation's biomedical research powerhouses, with total research funding of more than $470 million, and consistently achieves high rankings for excellence in the education and training of physicians and biomedical scientists.