Pelvic Floor Disorders
Meet Our Pelvic Floor Team
The Pelvic Pain Program offers patients a multidisciplinary team of clinicians with expertise in pelvic disorders. Our staff includes gynecologists, a colorectal surgeon, a urologist, a urogynecologist, a clinical dietitian, a chiropractor, and a lifestyle modification specialist. In addition, patients may be referred to our physical therapists, behavioral medicine professionals, or gastroenterologists. We maintain close contact with your health care providers to ensure collaboration and continuity of care.
For more information, provider availability and appointment scheduling, please call us at 401-793-7080. Our fax number is 401-793-7801.
Gastroenterologist and Co-Director, Program for Pelvic Floor Disorders, Women’s Medicine Collaborative
Amanda Pressman, MD, FACG, is a gastroenterologist in the Center for Women’s Gastrointestinal Medicine at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative and director of the gastroesophageal and rectal motility laboratory at Lifespan. She is co-director of the program for pelvic floor disorders, which focuses on chronic constipation and fecal incontinence. In addition, she heads the GI Disorders in Pregnancy Program at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative. Dr. Pressman is an instructor of medicine and directs the fellowship pathway in women’s gastrointestinal diseases at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Dr. Pressman received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and completed a residency at Harvard Medical School. She is a graduate of the gastroenterology fellowship at Alpert Medical School. During her fellowship, she received the prestigious Virology Fellowship Award from Bristol Myers Squibb and the Joe DiMase award for her research on colorectal cancer screening. She has published original research articles and chapters in the field of women’s health.
Dr. Pressman is board certified in gastroenterology. Her clinical and research interests are gastroesophageal motility disorders including pelvic floor disorders, gastroparesis and excessive nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and colorectal cancer screening in women. Areas of expertise include motility disorders, pelvic floor disorders, and women’s health.
Colorectal Surgeon and Co-Director, Program for Pelvic Floor Disorders, Women’s Medicine Collaborative
Leslie Roth, MD, FACS, FASCRS is co-director of the Program for Pelvic Floor Disorders in the Center for Women’s Gastrointestinal Medicine at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative and a colorectal surgeon at Brown Surgical Associates.
Dr. Roth is the Rosalyn and Joseph Sinclair Clinical Professor of Pelvic Floor Disorders and an assistant professor of surgery at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and her medical degree from the Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, New York State/American Program, in Ramat Aviv, Israel and New York.
She completed her residency at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She is a graduate of the colon and rectal surgery fellowship at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Dr. Roth is board certified in both general and colorectal surgery. She is also a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
Dr. Roth's areas of clinical interest and expertise include colon and rectal cancer surgery, colonoscopy, laparoscopic/minimally invasive surgery, benign anorectal conditions, fecal incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders.
Leslie Allen, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Leslie Allen, DPT, MSPT, CLT, COMT is a doctor of physical therapy in the department of Pelvic Rehabilitation. She graduated with her Master of Science degree from The University of Rhode Island and her doctorate from the Evidence In Motion Institute of Health Professions. With more than 25 years of clinical experience she specializes in pelvic floor disorders, pregnancy, oncology and orthopedics. Dr. Allen is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist. She received her certifications through Klose training and Evidence in Motion respectively. As an adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island she lectures on breast cancer and lymphedema. Dr. Allen is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the national section on women’s health as well as the Rhode Island special interest group for women and men’s health.
Lisa Charron, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Lisa Charron, PT, DPT, is a doctor of physical therapy in the department of Pelvic Rehabilitation. Dr. Charron completed her doctorate of physical therapy at the University of Rhode Island. She has trained with the American Physical Therapy Association’s Section on Women’s Health as well as the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. She is a member of the International Pelvic Pain Society and the American Physical Therapy Association, including the Section on Women’s Health, and currently serves as the Rhode Island state representative for the Section. Her clinical interests are in the treatment of women with urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, sexual and pelvic pain, and women in need of pre- and postpartum care. She also has experience with treatment of lymphedema, particularly in those who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. In addition to these interests, she specializes in neurological rehabilitation and has a particular interest in pelvic floor disorders in those with neurological conditions.
Christy Ciesla, PT, DPT, PRPC
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Christy Ciesla, PT, DPT, PRPC, is a doctor of physical therapy at Rhode Island and The Miriam hospitals and coordinates women’s health physical therapy services at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative. Ciesla graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in physical therapy and received her doctorate from Utica College in New York. She is a certified pelvic rehabilitation practitioner, skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic dysfunctions for men and women throughout the life cycle.
She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the International Cesarean Awareness Network and the Rhode Island Birth Network, and serves as vice chair of the Rhode Island Women’s and Men’s Health Physical Therapy Special Interest Group.
Ciesla is a credentialed clinical instructor and mentors other physical therapists and medical students interested in her area of expertise. Ciesla lectures to colleagues and the community. Her clinical interests are constipation, urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction as they relate to the pelvic floor and pelvis.
Gynecologist
Lindsay Clark Donat, MD, FACOG, is a gynecologist at Lifespan Physician Group, Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the Pelvic Pain Program team. Dr. Clark Donat received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame.
She completed the Brown-Dartmouth medical program and earned her medical degree from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Women & Infants Hospital. She completed a two-year fellowship program in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Yale University.
Dr. Clark Donat’s clinical interests include laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomy, surgical treatment of fibroids, and the management of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.
Dr. Clark Donat cares for gynecology patients and patients in the Pelvic Pain Program.
Kristina Fitzgerald, LATC, MSPT, DPT, PRPC
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Kristina Fitzgerald, LATC, MSPT, DPT, PRPC, is a doctor of physical therapy in the department of Pelvic Rehabilitation. She graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and earned a Master of Science degree in physical therapy at the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Fitzgerald completed her doctorate of physical therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Profession. She is certified as a prenatal and postpartum physical therapy practitioner. She is a certified pelvic rehabilitation practitioner, skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic dysfunctions for all patients throughout the life cycle. In addition to her clinical experience,
Dr. Fitzgerald teaches continuing education courses to physical therapists on evaluation and treatments for patients before and after gender affirming surgeries. She has extra training in evaluation and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction for the pediatric patient. Dr. Fitzgerald has 17 years of experience as a physical therapist, with over 10 years in pelvic health. She is an adjunct professor at URI’s Physical Therapy program teaching pregnancy and post-partum care.
Psychiatrist
Ellen Flynn, MD is a psychiatrist in Women’s Behavioral Medicine at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative. A clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior and a clinical assistant professor of medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Dr. Flynn is co-director of the contemplative studies scholarly concentration and co-director of the mindfulness-wellness program at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Dr. Flynn received a medical degree from University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts. She completed a residency in adult psychiatry at University of Massachusetts Medical School. She trained in psychosomatic medicine, completing a fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, and holds a master of theological studies degree from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Flynn was awarded formal certification as a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor from the Center for Mindfulness, Oasis Institute at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Dr. Flynn is board certified in psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. Her clinical interests include perinatal psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and mindfulness-based interventions in health care.
Director, Pelvic Pain Program
Sarah Fox, MD, FACOG, is a gynecologist at Lifespan Physician Group, Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of the Pelvic Pain Program. A clinical assistant professor of surgery at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Dr. Fox received a medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Brunswick, NJ, and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Allegheny General Hospital-Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.
She completed a fellowship in urogynecology and pelvic floor dysfunction at St. George’s Hospital at the University of London in England. She is a board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is a member of the board of directors and past president of the International Pelvic Pain Society and has been treating pelvic pain since 2000. Dr. Fox is a member of the board of directors of the North American Society of Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is also an adjunct assistant professor in the department of gender studies at Brown University and teaches an undergraduate course: "Reproductive Health: Science and Politics."
Dr. Fox cares for gynecology patients and patients in the Pelvic Pain Program.
Her clinical interests include chronic pelvic pain, resident education, family planning, cervical cancer screening, and general gynecology.
Lauri Friedman, MSPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Lauri Friedman, MSPT, CAS, is a physical therapist with a specialty in pelvic health. She is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic dysfunctions for men and women throughout the life cycle. Friedman graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s of Science degree from Touro College, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Orthopedics from the MGH Institute of Health Professions and is currently earning her Doctorate through Evidence In Motion Institute of Health Professions. Friedman has trained with Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, Pelvic Guru, and EIM. She is a member of the APTA Section of Pelvic Health and the Orthopedic Section. She has served as Vice President to the RI APTA Section of Women’s and Men’s Health.
Friedman’s area of clinical expertise include urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, pregnancy / postpartum, constipation, post prostatectomy, and pelvic girdle dysfunction. She is an avid runner and yogi and is passionate about helping others continue in the sports they love.
Urogynecologist
Lai-Yet Lam, MD, is a urogynecologist at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative. She received a medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine in California, and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York University-Bellevue Hospital Center in New York. Dr. Lam is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Lam is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is a member of the American Urogynecologic Society and the International Urogynecological Association. Dr. Lam was a clinical assistant professor at New York University-Langone Medical Center for 25 years. Her clinical expertise and research interests include pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal surgery, female urinary incontinence and complicated benign gynecologic surgery. She is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese.
Katie Lester
Clinical Dietician
Katie Lester, MS, RD, LDN, CIC, is a clinical dietitian at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative. She received her undergraduate degree in nutritional sciences from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Lester is a licensed dietitian-nutritionist in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She is an active member within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Her clinical interests include oncology, sports nutrition, wellness promotion, and women’s health. She is a Certified Intrinsic Coach® through Totally Coached, Inc., and a certified facilitator of the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP). Lester also serves as facilitator of several wellness programs offered through the Lifestyle Medicine Center.
Camilla Moore, DC, ART, SFMA
Chiropractor
Camilla Moore, DC, ART, SFMA is a chiropractor in the Lifestyle Medicine Center at the Women's Medicine Collaborative. Moore is in private practice at Bristol Chiropractic. She is the creator of PreTrain, a fitness approach that combines evidence-based rehabilitation exercises, progressive movement training, and a high intensity, short-duration fitness routine to help patients improve their strength, stability and flexibility. She is trained in Active Release Technique (ART), Kinesiotape and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), all which help to provide a comprehensive approach to musculoskeletal conditions. She is also part of the elite IronMan Provider Network for ART.
Moore received a medical degree from New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, New York, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a member of the Phi Chi Omega Honor Society. Her clinical experience included rotations at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Bath, New York; Monroe Community Hospital; and The Lifetime Care Facility which offered care to Hospice patients and their families. She finished her clinical rotations with a selective internship at the Rhode Island Spine Center in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Moore is a board certified chiropractor in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and a member of the American Chiropractic Association. In addition to ART, Kinesiotape and SFMA, Moore is certified in Rehabilitation of the Spine and Extremities and the Graston Technique.
Jennifer Reynolds, DPT,
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Jennifer Reynolds, DPT, graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and completed her doctorate of physical therapy at the University of Illinois. Reynolds is a certified in dry needling. Her areas of clinical expertise include women’s health, pregnancy, orthopedic, neurological and post-surgical rehabilitation, spinal rehabilitation, and pelvic floor rehabilitation. She is a member of the Special Interest Group of Rhode Island in women’s and men’s health
Jennifer Sant, PT, DPT
Jennifer Sant, PT, DPT, is a doctor of physical therapy at Rhode Hospital. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island (URI) with a degree in kinesiology. She worked as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and was a lifter on USA's Powerlifting Team. Furthering her love for anatomy and human performance she achieved her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from URI 4 years later.
Today Dr. Sant is a certified pelvic rehabilitation practitioner, through the American Physical Therapy Association’s Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy Program (CAPP), skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic dysfunctions for men and women throughout the life cycle. Her clinical interests are pelvic floor disorders, pelvic pain, back pain, post-partum femoral neuropathy, urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, athletes and pelvic pain, and men’s health as they relate to the pelvic floor and pelvis.
Julie Stone, LICSW
Psychotherapist
Julie Stone, LICSW, is a psychotherapist in the Lifestyle Medicine Center at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative. She received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Prior to joining the Women’s Medicine Collaborative, she was a clinical therapist in The Miriam Hospital’s Weight Management Program and in private practice. She utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as other therapeutic techniques and is EMDR Level II trained. She has extensive clinical experience providing psychotherapy for adolescents and adults. She specializes in weight management issues, emotional eating, anxiety, mood disorders, relationship issues, substance abuse, chronic health problems, grief and loss, trauma, gay/lesbian issues, stress management, adjustment issues and general mental health issues.
In addition to facilitating lifestyle medicine group programs, Stone counsels patients seeking behavioral activation for making lifestyle changes such as increasing activity/exercise, making healthier food choices, reducing alcohol use, weight management, and stress management.
Elisa Virgilio, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Elisa Virgilio, DPT, is a doctor of physical therapy in the department of Pelvic Rehabilitation. Dr. Virgilio graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Keene State College in Health Science and completed her doctorate of physical therapy at the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Virgilio has trained with the American Physical Therapy Association’s section of Women’s Health and Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehab Institute and received her certificate of achievement in pelvic floor physical therapy.
Dr. Virgilio has a specialty in pelvic floor physical therapy focusing on pelvic rehabilitation. Her areas of clinical interest are pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, constipation, post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence, sacroiliac and pelvic girdle dysfunction across the lifespan.