Our Sexual Health Experts

Eric Christoff, MD
"I believe that the doctor-patient relationship should permit easy and open communication about all health concerns. I'm committed to addressing sexual health questions in a way that is sensitive and responsive to each patient's personal values and beliefs about their health." Eric Christoff, MD

Eric Christoff, MD

Internal Medicine

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
STDs (with particular clinical emphases on HIV and syphilis), and the medical treatment of depression and chronic fatigue. Dr. Christoff is also sensitive to the specific health needs of gay and lesbian patients.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, IL)

EDUCATION
University of Toledo, College of Medicine

RESIDENCY
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center

BOARD CERTIFICATION
Internal Medicine

OF NOTE
Certified HIV Specialist, American Academy of HIV Medicine; 2010 Outstanding Teacher award recipient (Feinberg School of Medicine)

Dr. Cunningham
"While sexual health is an important aspect of overall health, people are often reluctant to discuss it openly and honestly. It's my goal to empower patients to ask questions and express concerns, and provide information that leads to educated decisions regarding their sexual health." Ruthann M. Cunningham, MD

Ruthann M. Cunningham, MD

Analyte Physicians Group

Member, American College of Emergency Physicians

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
STDs and emergency healthcare.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital (Lake Forest, IL); Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center (Racine, WI)

EDUCATION
Wayne State University School of Medicine

RESIDENCY
Cook County Hospital

BOARD CERTIFICATION
American Board of Emergency Medicine

Lesondak
"Sexual health is a cornerstone of our overall well-being...but it's often overlooked. I'm dedicated to providing improved access to information, care, referrals and resources for sexual health on par with physical, psychological and other healthcare services." Linda Lesondak, PhD

Linda Lesondak, PhD

Community Psychologist

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
STDs, HIV, preventive care, public health and community planning.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION
Chicago Department of Public Health

EDUCATION
Georgia State University

INTERNSHIP
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr. Lynch
"Sexual health is a critical component to overall health and wellness. Overcoming our cultural stigma of sex and STDs is the first step to solving this public and personal health crisis." Christopher R. Lynch, MD

Christopher R. Lynch, MD

Internal Medicine

President, Analyte Physicians Group

Clinical Instructor, Feinberg School of Medicine

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Sexually transmitted infections, women's health, preventive care, asthma, cardiomyopathies, diabetes, mood and anxiety disorders, and rheumatological disease.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (Chicago, IL)

EDUCATION
Baylor College of Medicine

RESIDENCY
University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center

BOARD CERTIFICATION
Internal Medicine

OF NOTE
Recognized in 2009 for excellence in teaching and nominated in 2010 for Problem-Based Learning Teacher of the Year award (Feinberg School of Medicine)

Lisa Oldson, MD
"Today's patients aren't passive. They are actively learning about their health and increasingly looking to physicians as medical consultants...which is fantastic! I'm passionate about offering our clients the opportunity to take charge of their health through online education, consultation and care." Lisa Oldson, MD

Lisa Oldson, MD

Internal Medicine

Medical Director, Analyte Physicians Group

Clinical Instructor, Feinberg School of Medicine

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
STDs (with a particular clinical emphasis on herpes), women's health, preventive medicine, diabetes, obesity and weight management, and mood and anxiety disorders.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION
Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, IL)

EDUCATION
Rush Medical College

RESIDENCY
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center

BOARD CERTIFICATION
Internal Medicine

Annette Fuglsang Owens, MD, PhD
"I believe that sexuality should be routinely addressed in conversations between patients and their doctors. Being well-informed is key to resolving health challenges...my goal is to provide frank, solid information and guidance about sexual health." Annette Fuglsang Owens, MD, PhD

Annette Fuglsang Owens, MD, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, The Sexual Health Network, Inc.

Founder, Charlottesville Sexual Health & Wellness Clinic

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Medical aspects of human sexuality, sexual dysfunctions, and the impact of STDs ⎼ and other diseases, illnesses and disabilities ⎼ on sexuality.

EDUCATION
University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

CERTIFICATION
Sexuality Counselor (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists)

Daniel Perlman, MD
"I believe in a patient-centric, team approach to healthcare, where each patient receives personalized treatment within a coordinated system of care. I'm inspired by helping patients get the right treatment at the right time...and educating people about how to take better care of their overall sexual health." Daniel Perlman, MD, MBA

Daniel Perlman, MD, MBA

Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
All aspects of infectious diseases, including STDs and HIV.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Greater Denver Infectious Diseases

EDUCATION
University of Maryland School of Medicine

INTERNSHIP
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (Internal Medicine)

RESIDENCY
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Internal Medicine)

FELLOWSHIP
University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)

BOARD CERTIFICATION
Infectious Diseases

David Sobel, MD
"Sexual medicine is influenced by current culture...both in terms of how people think about sex and sexual behaviors, and how sexual disorders and diseases are diagnosed and treated. For me, sexual medicine means assessing the whole person, including the clinical aspects of treating disorders of the sexual organs and disorders of the psyche that affect sexual fulfillment." David Sobel, MD

David Sobel, MD, JD

Director, Denver Center for Men's Health

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Men's sexual health and all areas of urology, including urologic oncology, treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy, stone disease and incontinence.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Urology Associates PC (Denver, CO)

EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine

RESIDENCY
Rush University Medical Center

BOARD CERTIFICATION
Adult and pediatric urology

Mitchell Tepper, PhD, MPH
"Sexual energy is a powerful life force. I'm dedicated to helping people claim or reclaim their sexuality...especially people with disabilities, chronic conditions or other life-altering circumstances. I bring relevant personal experience to my work: I've lived with Crohn's Disease all my life and, subsequent to a spinal cord injury at age 20, I also know what it means to live with a disability." Mitchell Tepper, PhD, MPH

Mitchell Tepper, PhD, MPH

Director of Sexual Health Education and Outreach, Analyte Health, Inc.

CEO, The Sexual Health Network, Inc.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Sexual dysfunctions, sexuality following disability or illness, pleasure and orgasm, relationships, and military and veteran couples' counseling.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta VA Medical Center (Decatur, Georgia)

EDUCATION
University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Bryant University

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Sexuality Educator & Counselor (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists)
  • PAIRS Instructor (PAIRS Foundation)
Kat VanKirk, DHS
"I'm passionate about helping people embrace their sexuality, optimize their sexual health and enhance their interpersonal relationships. I do that through counseling, outreach and education...in person and online. Join the conversation!" Kat Van Kirk, DHS

Kat Van Kirk, DHS

Assistant Professor, Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality

Adjunct Professor, Akamai University

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
STDs (with a particular clinical emphasis on HIV/AIDS), women's sexuality, sexual health and wellness, relationship issues, counseling psychology and addictions.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • DrKat.com (Hawaii, Oregon)
  • American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists
  • Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality

EDUCATION
Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, Ottawa University, Arizona State University

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Clinical Sexologist (American College of Sexologists)
  • STD Educator, HIV Educator & Trainer (Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality)
Terri Warren, MS, RN, ANP
"Sexuality is an essential part of life. In the course of pursuing our sexuality, most people will acquire at least one sexually transmitted infection. Instead of seeing STIs as exceptional and stigmatized, I see them as a more-or-less expected part of life...something to be managed successfully, just as we manage diabetes, hypertension or other conditions." Terri Warren, MS, RN, ANP

Terri Warren, MS, RN, ANP

Owner and Nurse Practitioner, Westover Heights Clinic

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
STDs with specialty in genital herpes infections.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association
  • National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health

EDUCATION
Western Oregon University, Oregon Health Sciences University, University of Portland

LICENSURES
Registered Nurse, Adult Nurse Practitioner (California Board of Registered Nursing, Oregon State Board of Nursing)

OTHER

  • Principal investigator or sub-investigator on over 100 clinical trials involving genital herpes, new medications, new testing devices and new vaccines.
  • Author of Amazon.com bestseller, The Good News About Bad News: Herpes Everything You Need to Know
  • Author, Updated Herpes Handbook
  • Author, Tender Talk: A Practical Guide to Intimate Conversations

The medical views and advice contributed by the Sexual Health Experts are their own and do not necessarily represent their professional affiliations.