Purpose
The Communications Committee is dedicated to the optimal sharing of scientific information and news related to the field of sexual medicine among ISSM members. The committee is also tasked with providing state of the art information to the public through the official ISSM website, the ISSM Journals and Newsletters, and social media.
Responsible for:
- Enhance communication with members on ISSM membership benefits/projects etc
- Provide state of the art information targeting professionals to improve practices
- Provide state of the art information targeting the public to raise awareness
- Increasing the number of followers and social media engagement
- Create collaboration with other societies
Chair
Sandrine Atallah
Lebanon
Sandrine Atallah, MD, MHM, FECSM, ECPS is a consultant in sexual medicine and a certified psychosexologist.
She graduated as a Medical Doctor from the Saint Joseph medical Faculty (2004). She then obtained her degree in clinical sexology from René Descartes University, Paris V, Faculty of Medicine (2007), and her degree in Medical Hypnosis from Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris VI, Faculty of Medicine (2005). She has also qualified as a Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine (2014). She is a EFS & ESSM Certified Psycho- Sexologist (2016).
She has additionally a Master in Health and Hospital Management from the ESA (Ecole Superieure des Affaires) and Paris- Diderot (Paris VII) University (2013).
Along with her private medical practice in sexual medicine in Beirut at La Clinique du Levant and at AUBMC (WISH program), she teaches Human Sexuality at several Lebanese universities (Saint Joseph medical Faculty in Beirut and the Lebanese American University)
Secretary general of the MESSM (Middle East Society of Sexual Medicine), she was its treasurer (2017- 2019) and the chairman of its Public Awareness Committee (2011- 2017).
She is also a board member of the Société Francophone de Médecine Sexuelle (SFMS), the co- chair of the ISSM Communication Committee, and the social media coeditor of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Actively working on promoting sexual health in the Middle East, she has participated in the development of the MESSM public information website. She was as well the social media editor of the MESSM and its public website (2011- 2018).
Social media handles:
Twitter: @DrSAtallah
Instagram: @drsandrineatallah
Facebook: @drsandrineatallah
You Tube: Dr Sandrine Atallah
Vice- Chair
Georgios Pagkalos
Greece
Dr. Georgios P. Pagkalos, MD, FECSM, IDFAPA is a consultant psychiatrist – sexologist.
Dr. Georgios Pagkalos is a graduate of the Hellenic Military School of Combat Support Officers (Class 2003) and the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). He completed his Residency in Psychiatry at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the AUTh. He completed the Clinical Sexology Training Program at the Lifelong Learning Structure of the AUTh and attended the ESSM School of Sexual Medicine with a scholarship from the European Federation of Sexology. He was trained as a grand student in Psychopharmacology from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) and in clinical research methodology at the University of Barcelona with a scholarship also from the ECNP.
After successfully passing the examination of the European Union of Medical Specialists Multidisciplinary Joint Committee of Sexual Medicine (UEMS MJCSM) he became a Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine. He completed his Honorary Clinical Fellowship in Psychosexuality and Interpersonal Relationships at the Outpatient Clinic for Sexual Dysfunctions of the 1st Psychiatric Clinic AUTh in collaboration with the European Academy of Andrology Training Center of Thessaloniki. He worked as a Scientific Associate of the 1st Psychiatric Clinic AUTh.
He is currently working as a Consultant Psychiatrist at the 424 General Military Training Hospital of Thessaloniki (424 MHTH) and as a Psychiatrist – Sexologist in private practice. He is also responsible for the Outpatient Clinic for Sexual Medicine at the Euromedica General Clinic Thessaloniki and the Sexual Dysfunctions and Interpersonal Relationships Outpatient Clinic of the 424 MHTH / Military Community Mental Health Center.
He serves as a Secretary of the Military Psychiatry Section of the World Psychiatric Association, Secretary of the Hellenic- American Psychiatric Association, and Special Secretary of the Hellenic Association of Professional Psychiatrists.
He is the appointed Vice- Chair of the Communication Committee of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM). He participates as a World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Revision Committee Member for the revision and the development of the next version of Standards of Care (SOC Version 8). He participated as a member of the World Health Organization’s Global Clinical Practice Network for the establishment of the classification of mental and behavioral disorders in the next version of WHO’s International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD- 11). He served as an ISSM Consultation and Guidelines Committee Member studying, developing, and updating standards and guidelines in sexual medicine. He is a Member of the UEMS Section of Psychiatry and a Member of the Standing Committee on Training of the Section. He is a Member of the UEMS Multidisciplinary Joint Committee of Sexual Medicine as a delegate of the UEMS Section of Psychiatry and appointed an MJCSM Exam Committee Member.
He has been awarded the European Security Defence Policy Service Medal by the General Secretary of the European Union Council and the Golden Cross Battalion of the Phoenix by the President of the Hellenic Democracy. He was awarded the International Fellowship of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in recognition of his dedication to the APA and the psychiatric profession. He is elected as International Distinguished Fellow of the APA for his continuous and significant contributions in several areas of Psychiatry and the public good.
Social media handles:
Instagram: @dr_pagkalos
Facebook: @DrGeorgiosPagkalos
Twitter: @dr_pagkalos
Member
Gideon Blecher
Australia
Dr. Gideon Blecher is an Australian Men’s Health Urologist and Andrologist. He specializes in male reproductive and sexual health issues. Gideon has completed several years of overseas fellowship sub- specialty training in both andrology and robotic oncology.
He is now focused on managing patients with erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, penile prosthetic surgery, male infertility, continence procedures, and genital reconstruction.
He is the current co- chairperson of the Young Sexual Medicine Academy (YoSEMA) and serves on committees of both the European and International Societies of Sexual Medicine. He has published extensively in peer- reviewed journals, multiple book chapters, and is regularly invited to present at international medical conferences.
Member
Paul H. Chung
USA
Paul H. Chung, MD, FACS is an Assistant Professor and Director of Reconstructive Urology at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
He obtained his medical degree at Thomas Jefferson University and subsequently completed general surgery and urology residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He completed a clinical fellowship in urologic trauma, reconstruction, and prosthetics at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He has an active clinical practice in erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, prosthetic surgery, Peyronie’s disease, urethral stricture disease, buried penis repair, genitourinary trauma, and open and robotic urinary tract reconstruction.
Social Media Handles:
Twitter: @paulchunguro
LinkedIn: Dr. Paul Chung
Member
Maurizio De Rocco Ponce
Spain
Maurizio De Rocco Ponce, MD is an Italian Endocrinologist and Andrologist.
He graduated as a Medical Doctor from the University of Padua (Italy) in 2011 and then specialized in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases in 2016 at the same University with a thesis on Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes Mellitus.
Since 2016 he has specialized in male reproductive and sexual health issues working as a Research Fellow and Assistant Professor in the Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine at the University Hospital of Padua. In 2017 he obtained a Master’s in Andrology and Reproductive Medicine from the University of Padua. In 2019 he completed the trainee program on andrological echography of the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS).
Since 2020 he has been a Research Fellow at the Unit of Andrology of Fundacio Puigvert (Barcelona, Spain) where he is training in andrological surgery and is involved in different research projects.
Beginning in 2016, he has published in peer- reviewed journals and participated as a guest speaker in several national and international medical congresses.
He was a member of the AndroYoung Committee of the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS) and of the Didactic Committee of the Italian Endocrine Society (SIE).
Social media handles:
LinkedIn: Dr Maurizio De Rocco Ponce
Member
Alexandra Dubinskaya
USA
Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya is a Los Angeles- based physician specializing in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. She has completed her medical and general surgery training in Saint Petersburg, Russia, along with obstetrics & gynecology residency in Hartford, CT. Her passion for female pelvic health, surgical reconstruction, genital plastic surgery, and female sexuality is what lead her to Cedars Sinai Medical Center where she is currently undergoing a fellowship training program in Urogynecology.
Alexandra is an active member of the International Society for the study of Women’s Sexual Health, the International Urogynecological Association, and the North American Society of Sexual Medicine. She has publications in peer- reviewed journals as well as experience participating in multi- disciplinary committees.
Dr. Dubinskaya enjoys inspiring and encouraging women to embrace their bodies, sexuality, and re- gain control and confidence in their lives.
Social media handles:
Twitter: @dubinsky_a
Instagram: @a.dubinsky
Member
Christopher Ho
Malaysia
Prof. Dr. Christopher Ho Chee Kong, MD, MS, MRCSEd, MBU (Cert), MFSTEd, AM, FICS (USA), FRCS (Urol)(Glasg), FECSM, FRCSEd, FACS is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Medicine, Taylor’s University, and Consultant Urologist at Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre. He was previously a Professor of Surgery and Urology at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
He is a member of the International Consultation of Urological Diseases (ICUD), the Secretary- General for the Malaysian Society of Andrology and the Study of the Aging Male (MSASAM), Treasurer of the College of Surgeons Malaysia, Committee Member of the Asian Society of Men’s Health and Andrology (AMSHA) and also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd), and Glasgow FRCS (Urol)(Glasg), European Committee of Sexual Medicine (FECSM), International College of Surgeons
(FICS), European Committee of Sexual Medicine (FECSM), American College of Surgeons (FACS), and Academy of Medicine Malaysia (FAMM).
He is also a Member of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers Edinburgh (MFSTEd), Société Internationale d’Urologie (SIU), Examiner for the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeon (MRCS) exam, and tutor for the Edinburgh Surgical Sciences Qualification(ESSQ).
He has published widely with over 140 publications in peer- reviewed journals as well as 5 book publications on issues in Men’s Health. He also sits in the Editorial Board of 10 journals (including the Investigative and Clinical Urology journal) and is a reviewer for 24 journals.
Member
Michael Krychman
USA
Michael L. Krychman, MDCM, is the Executive Director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine located in Newport Beach California.
He is the former Co- Director of The Sexual Medicine and Rehabilitation Program at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer. He also is a clinical sexologist and has completed his Master’s in Public Health and Human Sexuality. Dr. Krychman has a degree in Erotology, Sexual Education, and Forensic Sexology. Dr. Krychman is also an AASECT certified sexual counselor. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California Irvine, Division of Gynecological Oncology, and the Medical Director of Ann’s Clinic, a high- risk program for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Survivors.
He is a well- known speaker who is featured locally, nationally, and internationally and has published many articles in peer- reviewed journals and has been featured in many scientific journals and lay magazines and featured on the Today show and in the New York Times, US News, World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Health Magazine, and many noted publications.
He was the Scientific Chairman for the 2010 International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health annual educational meeting. He is an active member in good standing in North American Menopause (NAMS), International Society sexual Medicine (ISSM), European Society Sexual Medicine (ESSM), International Society Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), American Society of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). He was a member of the Standard Committee for ISSM and has been a guest professor at the ESSM Sexual Medicine Summer School in Oxford, England. He was the creator of the recent WISH Initiative (Women’ Initiative on Sexual Health: www.yourvoiceyourwish.com) and the 2013 recipient of the WISH Outstanding Achievement Award given by the ISSWSH. He is also on the professional advisory board for the Patty Brisben Foundation.
Dr. Krychman has published 7 books including The Sexual Spark, 20 Essential Exercises to Reignite the Passion, 100 Questions & Answers for Women Living with Cancer: A Practical Guide to Female Cancer Survivorship, 100 Questions and Answers about Women’s Sexual Wellness, and Vitality and Breast Cancer Sexuality, Sensuality, and Intimacy.
He was named one of Orange County Top Doctors for 2015 and 2016 in Menopause, Sexual Dysfunction, and Vulvar Pain. In 2019 and again in 2020, he has been named an Orange County Physician of Excellence by Orange Coast Magazine in Survivorship, Sexual Medicine, and Menopause.
Member
Bruno Nascimento
Brazil
Grupo de Medicina Sexual – Divisão de Urologia da Faculdade de Medicina da USP
Membro do Centro de Medicina Sexual do Hospital Sírio- Libanês
Fellowship Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, USA
Bruno Nascimento is a urologist specializing in sexual medicine from Sao Paulo, Brazil, who received his medical, surgical, and urological degree from the University of Sao Paulo and had the opportunity to do a fellowship in sexual medicine and andrology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (NY, USA) with Dr. John P. Mulhall.
Along having his private medical practice, he is currently a member of the sexual medicine and andrology group of Hospital das Clinicas (FM- USP), where he is fortunate to work with basic and clinical research while delivering specialized care in the public health system for hundreds of patients with sexual dysfunctions from all over Brazil. Bruno Nascimento is currently affiliated with both ISSM and SLAMS, as part of the communication and young researcher’s committee.
Social media handles:
Twitter: @drbnascimento
Instagram: @drbrunonascimento
Member
Mary Rogan
Ireland
Dr. Mary Rogan is a graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway, and has worked in Primary Care for over 30 years. Dr. Rogan is a Member of the Irish College of General Practitioners. She trained in Psychosexual Therapy in 2005- 2006, has a Master’s in CBT, and is a Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine (FECSM). Dr. Rogan runs a Sexual Dysfunction Clinic weekly in University Hospital, Galway. Her book, Sex for Simple Humans was published in 2017.
Social media handles:
Twitter: @DrMaryRogan
Instagram: @maryfrancesrogan
Member
Carolyn Salter
USA
Dr. Carolyn Salter is a fellowship- trained urologist with a focus on male sexual and reproductive medicine. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and her medical degree from the military medical school, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). She completed her urology residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and went on to attend a fellowship in male sexual and reproductive medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Dr. Salter is an active- duty officer in the United States Army. She is currently an attending urologist at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, USA, and an assistant professor at USUHS. Her research interests focus on testosterone deficiency, Peyronie’s disease, erectile dysfunction, and sexual incontinence.