Advanced Practice Providers Education
2023 SMSNA Advanced Practice Providers Essentials Course
Mastering Sexual Medicine
A unique and innovative hybrid course focusing on the necessary elements needed for healthcare providers to provide high-quality sexual medicine within a clinical setting.
Endo Men’s Health is sponsoring the APP Essentials Course, however does not have influence on nor is responsible for the content.


COURSE OVERVIEW
- 6 two-hour monthly virtual presentations (highlighted below)
- Hands-on training at the Annual SMSNA Meeting in San Diego, CA (4 hours)*
- Free membership until December 31, 2023 (and discounted annually thereafter), to all APPs and AHPs who register for/attend the Course (new members only).
- A certificate of completion will be awarded to those that complete the full virtual portion as well as the hands-on training.**
*Separate registration for the hands-on course will be required and will be on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are an APP member and register for the Annual Fall Scientific Meeting, you will be automatically registered for the hands-on course being held Saturday, November 18 from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. As a pre-requisite to the hands-on course, we kindly ask all individuals to complete the online portion of the Essentials Course detailed on this page.
**One for those who complete the virtual course and are unable to attend the hands-on session at the Annual Meeting -and- one for those who complete the entire course.
CLICKING ON EACH TILE BELOW WILL SHOW YOU THAT SESSION'S LEARNING OBJECTIVES.
FINALLY, AFTER EACH MODULE (WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH LIVE EVENT), THE RECORDING WILL BE AVAILABLE VIA A "WATCH NOW" BUTTON UNDER IT'S RESPECTIVE TILE; HOWEVER, YOU MUST BE A SMSNA MEMBER AND BE LOGGED IN.
Friday, May 12, 2023 - 3pm to 5pm EDT
MALE HYPOGONADISM
Moderated by: Aleece Fosnight
Panelists: Mohit Khera, MD and Basil Kaaki, DMSc, PA-C
Course Learning Objectives:
- Define and differentiate primary and secondary hypogonadism.
- Understand the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.
- Implementation of treatment for testosterone replacement therapy.
- Discuss special topics including fertility, prostate cancer, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- Highlight new and innovative therapies for male hypogonadism.

Friday, June 16, 2023 - 3pm to 5pm EDT
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Moderated by: Keith Regets, PA-C
Panelists: Helen Bernie, DO, MPH and Kristy Mardis, FNP-C
Course Learning Objectives:
Define erectile dysfunction and differentiate the etiologies of erectile dysfunction, including biopsychosocial influences.
- Understand normal anatomy and physiology of erections and the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction.
- Develop a treatment plan for erectile dysfunction, including pharmacotherapies, penile rehabilitation program, and referrals.
- Discuss special topics including prostate cancer, delayed ejaculation, premature ejaculation.
- Highlight regenerative therapies for erectile dysfunction.

Friday, July 14, 2023 - 3pm to 5pm EDT
PEYRONIE’S DISEASE
Moderated by: Faysal Yafi, MD, FRCSC
Panelists: Kristen Gumpf, PA-C and Ashley Tapscott, DO
Course Learning Objectives:
- Outline the prevalence, risk factors, and pathophysiology of Peyronie’s Disease.
- Identify the different phases of Peyronie’s Disease and how this impacts treatment decisions.
- Understand the evaluation and management of Peyronie’s Disease including non-surgical and surgical interventions.
- Discuss special topics including mental health impact, partner support, utilization of other healthcare providers to optimize Peyronie’s management, and novel treatment options.

Dr. Khera earned his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University. He subsequently earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration and his Masters Degree in Public Health from Boston University. He received his Medical Degree from The University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio and completed his Urology residency training in the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine. At Baylor, he completed a one-year general surgery internship and then went on to complete a five-year residency program in Urology. After completing his Urology residency, he went on to complete a one-year fellowship in Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Baylor. Currently he is a Professor in the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine and he holds the F. Brantley Scott Chair in Urology. Dr. Khera specializes in male and female sexual dysfunction, Men’s Health and hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Khera also serves as the Director of the Laboratory for Andrology Research, the Medical Director of the Baylor Executive Health Program and the Medical Director of the Scott Department of Urology. He also serves as President-Elect of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America.
Dr. Khera has dedicated his clinical and research efforts to three main areas: Men’s Health, sexual medicine, and hormone replacement therapy. Soon after completing my fellowship he started the Laboratory for Andrology Research. His laboratory focuses on basic science research and he has had the opportunity to train many residents and research fellows over the past 12 years. In addition to his basic science research, he has initiated numerous FDA approved clinical trials. His basic science and clinic experiences have allowed him to thus far give over 250 lectures at scientific meetings throughout the world, publish over 120 articles in peer reviewed journals, complete 15 book chapters, and edit and write two books all in the field of sexual medicine and Men’s Health.
In 2007 he was awarded the American Urologic Association (AUA) Research Scholars Award to study the correlation between ED and BPH. In 2013 he was elected to serve a 4 year term on the American Urologic Society Examination Committee. Dr. Khera has also served on the AUA Peyronie’s Disease and Erectile Dysfunction Guidelines Panel. For the past several years he has taught numerous course in testosterone therapy and sexual dysfunction nationally and throughout the world.
Dr. Khera freely shares his time and knowledge with the general public. He has been voted several times as one of Houston’s Best Doctors by Health and Sport Fitness Magazine and by Houstonia Magazine and is a frequent guest on such TV programs as Fox News’ “Ask the Doctor.” He also writes a blog on Men’s Health for the Houston Chronicle Newspaper.
Dr. Basil Kaaki, DMSc, PA-C is an Assistant Professor of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston’s Texas Medical Center. He serves as the program director and co-founder of the first Men's Health and Sexual Medicine preceptorship for APP's in Texas. His medical interests include testosterone therapy, Peyronie's disease, erectile dysfunction, male infertility, sexual health and penile rehabilitation. He is committed to staying at the cutting-edge of Sexual Medicine research. He has been inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants for his academic achievement, leadership, research, and community service. As a former Olympic Swimmer, he has a passion for optimizing healthspan, longevity and performance in the patients he cares for.
Dr. Bernie is a board-certified Urologist and the Director of Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine at Indiana University. She is an Assistant professor of urology and the Andrology Fellowship Director. She is an active member of the ISSM and the SMSNA and sits on the SMSNA Board of Directors. She specializes in Men’s Health, Erectile Dysfunction, Penile implants, Peyronie’s Disease, Male Infertility, Fertility Preservation and Cancer Survivorship.
Kristy Mardis is a nurse practitioner at Indiana University Health Urology in Carmel, Indiana. She specializes in Men's Sexual Health and Fertility.
Kristen was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She received her bachelors in Biobehavioral Health with a minor in psychology from Penn State University and her masters in Physician Assistant Studies from Lock Haven University.
Kristen started working in Urology in 2015 with an emphasis in Men’s Health and Sexual Medicine. She has distinguished herself as a nationally recognized expert and thought leader in the fields of Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction. She has dedicated her career to the field of Sexual Medicine and is a sought-after educator regarding her approach to the minimally-invasive treatment of Peyronie’s.
Dr. Tapscott graduated from Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007. She completed her urologic residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Tapscott then completed a fellowship in male and female sexual dysfunction, urologic prosthetics, and male infertility at Cleveland Clinic. She has practiced in the Charlotte, North Carolina area since 2013.
As an established expert in the field of sexual dysfunction, Dr. Tapscott founded SHIC, the Sexual Health Institute of the Carolinas in 2019. Her subspecialty interests in sexual medicine and surgery have been internationally recognized. She continues to publish in renowned journals and operate alongside distinguished world leaders in her field. These interests include, erectile dysfunction, penile implants, Peyronie’s disease, hypogonadism, other male and female sexual disorders. She is also engaged in training other surgeons within her areas of expertise.
Dr. Tapscott has served on the Board of Directors of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, as well as several committees for the organization. She served on the editorial board of the Video Journal of Prosthetic Urology. She is also an active member of The American Urological Association, Society of Women in Urology and International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health.
Friday, August 18, 2023 - 3pm to 5pm EDT
DECREASED SEXUAL DESIRE
Moderated by: Samantha Strumeier, DNP, MBA, MS, RN, FNP-BC, OCN
Panelists: Stephanie Buehler, MPW, PsyD, CST-S, IF and Kaylie Caswell, MSN, WHNP-BC, CSC
Course Learning Objectives:
- Define decreased sexual desire including prevalence and biopsychosocial factors.
- Understand the evaluation and diagnosis of decreased sexual desire.
- Differentiate spontaneous desire versus responsive desire.
- Discuss female sexual interest and arousal disorder (FSIAD).
- Identify excitatory and inhibitory influences on sexual desire.
- Describe a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment and management of patients with decreased sexual desire.

Friday, September 15, 2023 - 3pm to 5pm EDT
FEMALE SEXUAL HEALTH CONCERNS
Moderated by: Jessica Bell, PA-C
Panelists: Aleece Fosnight, PA-C, CSC-S, CSE, NCMP, IF, HAES and Rachel Rubin, MD, IF
Course Learning Objectives:
- Define female sexual health concerns including prevalence and biopsychosocial factors.
- Identify female life stages that impact sexual functioning including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, peri/menopause, and postmenopause.
- Discuss female genitopelvic pain syndromes and its impact on sexual functioning.
- Evaluate sociocultural influences and trauma as it relates to female sexual health.
- Understanding treatment approaches to female sexual health as it differentiates from male sexual health.

Friday, October 13, 2023 - 3pm to 5pm EDT
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE FOR SEXUAL HEALTH
Moderated by: Amy Pearlman, MD
Panelists: Reverend Kari Caldwell, Pamela Downey, PT, DPT, WCS, PRPC, Lisa Paz, LMFT, PHD, and Amy Pearlman, MD
Course Learning Objectives:
- Define integrative medicine and its role within sexual health.
- Discuss special topics including nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, microbiome, mental health, and gut health.
- Describe alternative and complementary modalities used to optimize sexual functioning.
- Identify key multidisciplinary providers used in integrative medicine approaches for whole-person sexual healing and wellness.

Stephanie Buehler, MPW, PsyD, CST-S, IF is a licensed psychologist, AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Dr. Buehler specializes in women’s sexual health; sexuality, chronic illness, and cancer; sexual pain disorders; and sexuality and mental health. She is the author of several books, including a bestselling textbook, What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know about Sex and a book for anyone who wants to improve their sex life entitled Enliven Your Sex Life: Don’t Settle for Boring Sex. Dr. Buehler also created The Buehler Institute and LearnSexTherapy.com to provide continuing education in sex therapy for psychotherapists and sexuality counseling for healthcare providers. Most recently Dr. Buehler became a Professor of Human Sexuality at Daybreak University, instructing primarily Korean students in sex therapy. Dr. Buehler has spoken to professional and lay audiences, both large and small, locally and around the globe.
Kaylie Caswell is a women’s health nurse practitioner, a AASECT certified sexuality counselor, and ISSWSH Fellow who works in the Obstetrics & Gynecology division at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She has had the privilege of providing all-inclusive, trauma-informed gynecologic care to adolescents and beyond for the past 8 years. She currently offers routine gynecologic care, sexuality counseling and education, and a Sexual Pain Clinic seeing female identified persons with a variety of sexual health concerns.
Aleece Fosnight, MSPAS, PA-C, CSC, CSE has been a physician assistant for the past 10 years and has been a sexual health counselor and educator for almost 6 years. Aleece opened up her own private practice June 2020, Fosnight Center for Sexual Health, in Asheville, NC. She is a provider of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, basic urologic care, and gynecological care for Western North Carolina and the Southeast.
Dr. Rachel S. Rubin is a board certified urologist with fellowship training in sexual medicine. She is an assistant clinical professor in urology at Georgetown University and owns her own practice in Washington DC. Dr. Rubin provides comprehensive care to all genders. She treats issues such as pelvic pain, menopause, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. Dr. Rubin is currently the education chair for the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) and an associate editor for the journal Sexual Medicine Reviews.
With the overarching goal to simplify advanced energy medicine & spiritual concepts, Reverend Kari Caldwell created the Coherence Protocol to show what's possible when you embrace all of who you are and live in your full potential.
Pamela A. Downey, PT, MSPT, DPT, PhD (abd),WCS, BCB-PMD, PRPC, is a Board Certified Specialist in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, Board Certified in Biofeedback for Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction and a Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner. She has more than 20 years of experience treating individuals with pelvic pain, voiding and sexual dysfunction, pregnancy-related and post-partum musculoskeletal dysfunction, including diastasis recti, sacroiliac joint pain and dyspareunia. Dr. Downey works with the specialties of urology, gynecology/obstetrics, urogynecology, pain management, physiatry/spine and colorectal/gastroenterology to address pelvic ring/spine and pelvic floor muscle problems and pelvic nerve irritability/neuropathies including the lumbosacral plexus and pudendal neuralgia. Her private practice in Miami, Partnership in Therapy, welcomes all patients from adolescents to octogenarians for personalized one-on-one care.
Dr. Downey is an adjunct professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Coral Gables, Florida She received her Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and her Master of Science, Doctorate in Physical Therapy and is ABD in her Doctor of Philosophy from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Downey has presented research and lectured nationally and internationally at professional conferences and has authored a book chapter on pelvic pain in the medical text Women’s Health Physical Therapy. She is actively involved in the Academy of Pelvic Health of the American Physical Therapy Association, a Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation Educator, and Senior Faculty in the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.
Dr. Lisa has a Doctorate in Clinical Sexology and is a Board Certified Sex Therapist and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She also has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology – Marriage and Family Therapy.
Dr. Lisa has been in private practice in Miami, FL for over 18 years. She also is adjunct faculty at the University of Miami.
In private counseling she deals with a host of issues that pertain to intimacy and the individual, couple or family – this includes marital conflict, infidelity, fertility issues, communication problems, negative relationships, sexual dysfunctions, anxiety, desire disorders, compulsive sexuality, sexual abuse, orientation issues, cancer and sexuality and much much more.
She is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the American Board of Sexology, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, the National Association of Professional Women, and Haddassah Womens Organization.
Dr. Amy Pearlman is a board-certified urologist fellowship trained in men's health and genitourinary reconstruction. She earned her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, completed urology residency training at the University of Pennsylvania, fellowship at Wake Forest, and was Director of the Men's Health Program at the University of Iowa before recently relocating to South Florida to co-found Prime Institute.
Program Outline for Hands-on Training
Saturday, November 18, 2023 - 8am to 12noon PST
San Diego, CA
Breakouts:
Testopel and Hormone Pellet Insertion
Xiaflex and Penile Traction
Intracavernosal Injections and Priapism ManagementGenital/Pelvic Floor Ultrasound/Duplex and Injections (Trigger Point/Nerve Blocks)
Participants must complete the 6 virtual courses in order to participate in the hands-on course.
Separate registration for the hands-on course will be required and will be on a first-come-first-served basis.