Meet Dr. Zolnoun
Dr. Denniz Zolnoun, scientist & physician, created the ZenNovid Foundation with a mission to put science into action for patients living with urologic and genital pain and discomfort.
After years of dedicated research and impactful contributions to the field of women's health, she has now expanded her professional offerings to include private consultations. Recognizing the unique needs of individuals and the value of personalized care, Dr. Zolnoun provides one-on-one sessions, leveraging her vast expertise to address specific concerns related to pelvic pain and sexual wellness. These private consults not only allow patients direct access to her wealth of knowledge but also ensure tailored solutions, fostering a deeper understanding and a more holistic approach to their well-being.
Book a Private Consult with Dr. Zolnoun
Dr. Denniz Zolnoun is a seasoned medical professional with over two decades of experience in urogenital pain and minimally invasive reconstructive surgery.
Driven initially by a desire to solve global energy problems as a physics undergraduate, Dr. Zolnoun's path took a serendipitous turn into medicine through the influence of a retired nephrologist mentor.
Dr. Zolnoun received her medical degree from the University of Illinois and completed her training in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Rochester General Hospital, NY. Upon completing her training in 1999, she pursued additional training in advanced gynecological laparoscopic surgery and pelvic pain while earning a master's degree in public health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, effectively becoming the first-ever fellow in Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery (MIGS.) with formal training in research methodology and pelvic pain. She subsequently joined the faculty at UNC upon completing her fellowship in 2002.
Over the years, she has relentlessly pursued advancing our understanding of pain processes operative in the urogenital region. Dr. Zolnoun has served in various roles at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, including an associate professor in the School of Medicine and School of Dentistry and medical director of UNC's Center for Pain Research and Innovation. She currently holds position as adjunct faculty in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
She's considered a pioneer in sensory neurophysiology in the urogenital region, and her work was acknowledged with The Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Woman's Health" by the SWHR in 2011.
Dr. Zolnoun's areas of interest include chronic pelvic pain in men and women, with a particular interest in postoperative pain.
Her reputation for expert, passionate care attracts patients from all over the United States and beyond. She's also well-versed in managing patients with recalcitrant pain of urogenital origin following surgery (e.g., hernia surgery, pelvic reconstructive surgery), childbirth, and cancer therapy. Her significant contributions to the field and tireless dedication toward patient care and research are apparent in her service as a mentor for various trainees from multiple disciplines.
In 2018, Dr. Zolnoun established ZenNovid, driven by a single-minded goal: to alleviate pelvic pain and dismantle the social taboos associated with genital health for men and women. The genesis of VNue Seal Protectant Cream was a testament to her multifaceted expertise as a scientist and the repeated trial and error in her medical practice.
VNue Seal Protective Cream is formulated with wholesome ingredients such as caprylic acid and lactobacilli, known for their urinary tract health benefits, which function by forming a skin barrier. This barrier locks in the body's inherent moisture while reducing friction. Furthermore, this cream doesn't contain propylene glycol, a typical preservative in many over-the-counter products, which may cause persistent burning and irritation, particularly in women with sensitive skin.
Guided by her strong mentorship and collegial relationships across disciplines, Dr. Zolnoun continues to work on transformative science, building an extensive network of research and clinical collaborators. Despite challenging nature of her work on multiple fronts, she remains committed to her missions of addressing the unmet need of patients with urogenital symptoms through education, and improve self-efficacy while building the transformative foundational knowledge necessary for addressing the chiasm in care and health disparity facing millions of patients with urogenital symptoms.