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.
michael A. WErner, md, facs, founder & medical director
Dr. Michael Werner is the founder and medical director of Maze Health, which includes Maze Women's Health and Maze Men's Health. Dr. Werner 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 and procedure.
Dr. Werner published several studies on the Vaginismus Botox Treatment Under Anesthesia procedure.
“I had the Botox procedure in January, and by February my vaginismus was cured. I had been in pain for so long that I didn’t even realize how it felt to be normal until after the procedure! Now I can have a normal relationship, normal periods, and just overall good health. I will be forever grateful to the staff at the Maze! Thank you all so much for changing my life.”
– S, Age 28 –
Dr. Werner is a board-certified urologist who received his specialized fellowship training in infertility and surgery, and 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. Additional information about Dr. Werner's background, research studies, and more can be found here.