My Approach

I believe a medical practice can be a vehicle of educational empowerment. Women’s healthcare is too often delivered through care models which leave women with only a limited opportunity to advocate for their health. As a female physician treating women, I feel compelled not only to deliver the care my patients need, but also to educate my patients such that they are prepared to expect and seek out the healthcare they deserve.

My clinic will be a place where women are not only safe to discuss any and all health issues, but also a space where women are empowered to voice concerns that might be scary, emotional, or embarrassing. Whether it is your mental health and not knowing where to start, feeling ashamed over a common issue like urinary or fecal incontinence, fears about libido or pain with sex, or simply a question you think is silly and have never felt comfortable to ask, we will conquer the taboo and the stigmatized together.

Obstetrics and gynecology is a vast field, becoming more and more specialized each day. I love pregnant women and the honor of being the guide through that journey. And if I’ve been lucky enough, the one to experience the joy of bringing your baby’s life into the world.

But the months of pregnancy and the hours of delivery are such a short overall portion of the healthcare women need. Alison Stuebe, an OBGYN at UNC, coined the phrase, “The baby is the candy; the mom is the wrapper. And once the baby is out of the wrapper the mom is cast aside.” And all too often this occurs postpartum - and beyond. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology released a committee opinion on “Optimizing Postpartum Care” in May of 2018 you can read here https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care

And for me this extends to all women who need gynecologic care, the whole other half of our field. While women spend over 30 years in their “reproductive window,” most of this time is spent addressing many other needs women have outside of pregnancy. Mental health care including perinatal mental health care. Need for safe and effective contraception, frequently in the context of a complicated medical condition. Supporting a women through the decision to breastfeed, or not. The desire to become pregnant but a heartbreaking struggle or loss. Cancer prevention and detection. The need for symptom relief for heavy, painful periods, bothersome skin conditions, or hot flashes. Sexual health education, including what to do about low libido. Conquering body image issues. And the list goes on. Women DESERVE to have access to all of these other aspects of their healthcare, and a specialist who can meet these needs. We are #morethanapap and #morethanababydr