Newswise — The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) are pleased to announce the first issue of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (www.fpmrs.net) as the official journal of AUGS. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins is a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.

"We felt this change was appropriate to develop the journal content to reflect the goals and objectives of AUGS, and in particular, to develop a means to prepare for the new subspecialty of the same name," according to an introductory editorial by Alfred E. Bent, M.D., of Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dr. Bent is Editor-in-Chief of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery.

Acquiring the "Gold Journal" as the official journal of AUGS aligns with the society's strategic goals and vision preparing for the full accreditation of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery as a specialty in its own right, according to Rebecca Rogers, M.D., of University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, President of AUGS. Dr. Rogers comments, "This unique opportunity will enable AUGS to grow and reinforce the voice of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, both in print and online."

Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery is not merely a retitling of LWW's Journal of Pelvic Medicine & Surgery. The "Gold Journal" is now directed more broadly at the entire field of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. The rededicated journal will continue on a bimonthly publication schedule, with January/February 2010 as the first issue. All AUGS members will receive Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery as a benefit of membership. The full content of each issue will also be available online for individual and member subscribers at www.fpmrs.net. Online access for institutions will be available via the OvidSP platform (http://www.ovid.com).

With New Title and New Sponsor, 'Gold Journal' Focuses on Pelvic Floor DisordersThe "Gold Journal's" new title and revamped design signal a transformation to reflect the specialized focus of AUGS members. Led by a new editorial board, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery aims to become the world's leading source of peer-reviewed research on the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment, and basic science related to disorders of the female urinary tract, pelvic floor support, and colorectal function.

In addition to original research, the journal will feature faculty review articles on topics of current interest, a section on subspecialty training and continuing education, editorials and letters, book and media reviews, and more. Plans call for the introduction of additional new print and online features, such as special topic collections and educational opportunities, as the journal evolves to meet the needs of the AUGS membership.

A call for papers has already been met with an enthusiastic response, and the editors are actively seeking additional original contributions. For complete instructions about online manuscript submission, prospective authors may visit LWW's Editorial Manager at www.editorialmanager.com/jpms.

About Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive SurgeryFemale Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (www.fpmrs.net) is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal dedicated to specialists, physicians and allied health professionals concerned with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of female pelvic floor disorders. The journal publishes original clinical research, basic science research, education, scientific advances, case reports, scientific reviews, editorials and letters to the editor. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery is official journal of the American Urogynecologic Society.

About the American Urogynecologic SocietyThe American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), founded in 1979, is a physician organization dedicated to research, education and sharing of best practices in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery that results in improved care for women. Its mission is to promote the highest quality care in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery through excellence in education, research and advocacy. Visit the AUGS website at www.augs.org.

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a leading international publisher for healthcare professionals and students with nearly 300 periodicals and 1,500 books in more than 100 disciplines publishing under the LWW brand, as well as content-based sites and online corporate and customer services.

LWW is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health and pharmacy. Major brands include traditional publishers of medical and drug reference tools and textbooks, such as Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and Facts & Comparisons®; and electronic information providers, such as Ovid®, UpToDate®, Medi-Span® and ProVation® Medical.

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