Melissa Ferrara, MS, FNP-BC, Associate Medical Director
Melissa Ferrara is a nationally board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and has specialized in women’s health for over 20 years, with a subspecialty in female sexual dysfunction. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Siena College and received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree as a nurse practitioner from Pace University.
Melissa’s passion is caring for women, utilizing a holistic approach and developing new and innovative treatments for all areas of sexual dysfunction, including desire, arousal, orgasm and pain. She integrates culturally competent care and evidence-based practice to help produce optimal outcomes for her patients. She has presented on the topic of Female Sexual Dysfunction at numerous conferences and has been an investigator on several clinical trials for medications for female sexual dysfunction. She is a guest lecturer for Columbia University School of Nursing on the topic of women’s health. Additionally, she has trained dozens of nurse practitioners within her specialty and is a subject matter expert in female sexual dysfunction.
Helen Leff, LCSW, Sexuality Counselor, Psychotherapist
Helen Leff, LCSW, holds a Master Degree in Social Work with over 25 years of experience. She earned a BS in Special Education from City College of the City University of N.Y. and studied at Tel Aviv University in Israel. Helen received her Master’s degree in social work from New York University. She attended the Advanced Training Program in Psychotherapy at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health.
Helen has devoted many years providing counseling and advocacy services to families of children with developmental disabilities both at the Shield Institute as well as the Hebrew Academy for Special Children (HASC). She has extensive experience working with single mothers and has always been passionate about championing women and committed to issues promoting women’s health and welfare. She believes that “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Throughout her career as a mental health professional, Helen has endeavored to take a holistic view in understanding the needs of individuals as well as incorporating the larger family and social dynamics effecting them. A tireless advocate, Helen’s greatest professional satisfaction comes from helping those in need to develop self-empowerment skills to take greater control of their situations and to become their own best ally, adviser, and advocate.
Cathleen Kneidl, Physician Assistant, Certified Menopause Practitioner
Cathleen Kneidl is a Physician Assistant who has worked in health care for the past 30 years. She received a BA in Social Sciences from Stony Brook University and went on to study at Albany Medical College/Hudson Valley PA Program. She has worked in Family Practice, Surgery, Women’s Healthcare, and more recently has specialized in Obesity Medicine.
Cathleen is also a Certified Menopause Practitioner. She is passionate about taking a holistic approach to Menopause Management and the many ways to treat women going through peri-menopause and/or menopause. She has also worked as a volunteer EMT in her community. Cathleen is looking forward to working with patients to help them achieve their overall health and wellness goals.
Jamie Solomon, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Jamie Solomon is a practicing psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who takes a holistic approach to patient care. Jamie customizes her approach to enhance the emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual health of the patient. She commits to the pursuit of meaningful, realistic, and honest evolution.
Jamie specializes in working with adults suffering from depression, anxiety, and attention disorders. She integrates modern and traditional practices to help clients identify their unique talents and direct their purpose.
Jamie finds a safe space where patients can explore life challenges, sit with tough questions, and ease into new ways of breaking old patterns. She believes in the power of non-judgmental listening, partnership, and collaboration in treatment planning.
Jamie supports her clients utilizing non-medication approaches (therapy, meditation, exercise, etc.) to manage symptoms, and does not push medications on those who prefer to avoid them. In her view, medication is a tool that allows the patient to space from what they are experiencing and support them to make the necessary steps for recovery.
michael A. WErner, md, facs, founder & medical director
Although Dr. Werner does not generally see patients, he reviews all evaluations and lab results, oversees all treatment, and follows all patient care. He performs the Vaginismus Botox Treatment Under Anesthesia procedure, along with his team of women’s sexual health experts. Upon request, he is always available for consultation after the initial evaluation.
Dr. Werner is a board-certified urologist who received his specialized fellowship training in male infertility and surgery, and male sexual dysfunction at Boston University Medical Center. Dr. Werner completed his urology residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan and received his medical school training at the University of California at San Francisco. He holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Harvard College.
Dr. Werner’s private practice, Maze Men’s Health, is limited to male infertility and male sexual dysfunction. He lectures and writes extensively on these topics in medical journals and books. More importantly, his concentration in these areas means he practices the latest and most advanced treatments and surgical techniques, ensuring the greatest likelihood of success for his patients.
“You don’t have to suffer with ED if you deal with a specialist in the field; not strictly a urologist, but someone who’s trained and practiced for years in this area. Dr. Werner was a totally upbeat guy and easy to talk to. He was that specialist for me.”
— Jim, 49
As the Medical Director of Maze Health, Dr. Werner diagnoses and treats erectile dysfunction, Low T, Peyronie’s Disease, premature or delayed ejaculation, and the many causes of male infertility. The practice is founded on the belief that patients should have a complete understanding of the medical options available to them, and that the patient and physician should decide, together, on the course of treatment that makes the most medical and personal sense.