Newswise — CLEVELAND -- Joseph Welles Henderson, MD, of University Hospitals has been named an InterStim™ Center of Excellence by Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), the world’s largest medical device manufacturer. The designation is awarded to caregivers who have demonstrated particular expertise in the use of the InterStim™ system to treat overactive bladder, as well as non-obstructive urinary retention and chronic fecal incontinence.

Dr. Henderson is an OBGYN and urologist, and specializes in female pelvic medicine and reconstruction surgery. According to the National Association for Continence, more than 60 million Americans live with incontinence, and many of them don’t realize that their condition may be treatable.

Of those patients who seek treatment, many choose the InterStim™ system. This technology delivers relief by gently stimulating the patient’s sacral nerves through a small device implanted in the lower back. In the 25 years since its introduction, it has been used by more than 375,000 patients worldwide.

“I’m incredibly proud to have been recognized by Medtronic for excellence in treating patients with incontinence,” said Dr. Henderson. “It’s important that patients dealing with incontinence know it’s very common, and is not just a normal part of aging. There are a number of potential surgical and non-surgical treatment options we can discuss together and find the best solution.”

Receiving the Center of Excellence designation is a noteworthy accomplishment in the field. Through a highly selective process, Medtronic identifies practices that are particularly proficient in the placement of the InterStim™ system, reviewing such factors as the number of procedures performed, patient satisfaction, outcomes and more.

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About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio

Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University, the Technion Israel Institute of Technology and National Taiwan University College of Medicine. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.