Fun in the Sun with Pirates and Princesses

My hardworking husband scored a free trip to Disney for the family so that is how we are spending our Spring Break. I am totally loving spending time with Casey and the kids in such a fun venue! The sunny 85 degree weather is pretty amazing too. Sitting down here poolside is so calming, especially right now when I am being pulled in so many directions gearing up to open my solo practice. I admit I do feel guilty about getting away when there is so much to be done before July 1st, but I will return focused and ready to get right back to work.

I wish I could bottle up some of this serenity and bring it home with me. In fact I already have found my own little bit of Feng Shui to add to my new office environment. We all know how bringing the oriental art of elemental balance into your life creates harmonious vibes as well as the effect pheromones have on our general feeling of wellbeing.

Time for a quick show of hands - who’s been to Disney recently? It’s ok you can admit it, I love it here too! When you were here, did you notice how different attractions had their own unique aroma? The Main Street Confectionary has a melt in your mouth caramel apple fragrance, while the Old Key West Resort has a glorious Island Breeze drifting through. My kids’ favorite is the “A Bug’s Life” theatre’s stinkbug scent. Seriously. It smells like a stinkbug.

I am going to incorporate scent into my office space. Sorry no stinkbug scent in the office, you have to go to Disney for that one. I’m torn between creating my own signature scent that you would come to associate with my office or changing scents to embody the current season. Spring flowers, Ocean Breezes, Caramel Apple and Evergreen for example. What do you think? I would love for you to leave a comment with your thoughts.

Disney World aficionados know that every Disney employee right down to the ticket tearers and teens who scrape gum are so genuine and pleasant. They are known for their total package of customer service and although I probably won’t need anyone tearing tickets or scraping gum in my office, I do want my staff to provide that same level of quality service.

Ouch! Just came back down to reality with a hard thud! We couldn’t make the meal plan that came with the trip work for us so we are buying our meals. I feel like such a mean mom telling the kids “No” and then “No, you can’t have that either” “Or that”. Oh the whining is not encouraging my Feng Shui.

To (O)B or not to (O)B, that is the Question...

Shakespeare said “To (O)B or not to (O)B, that is the question”…

…and it is not an easily answered question. I love obstetrics; it has been so personally rewarding! There is nothing more amazing than delivering a baby and being part of such a special moment in a family. Even after 15 years of practicing Obstetrics, it still just amazes me how we can grow a human inside us in less than a year.

However, after much deliberation, I have decided to specialize in my new practice on gynecology, gyn surgery and bioidentical hormones and supplements. This was not a decision I arrived at quickly. I will miss the OB part but I just couldn't figure out how to make it work in my future solo practice. No one wants to spend a long time waiting for the doctor, myself included! It's annoying and I don't want to be "that" doctor. There doesn't seem to be a good way to do deliveries in a solo practice without having to reschedule hours of patients when I would leave to do a delivery and that isn't how I want it to be.

I am sad about giving up Ob, but my true passion lies in teaching, gynecology and minimally invasive gynecological surgery. Medical advances and technology breakthroughs occur with such speed, especially in women’s health, and I pride myself with staying on the cutting edge of new research. I believe that in today's rapid advancement of surgical techniques, it requires all of my focus to be a leading surgeon. There is so much new information every day about hormones, new devices to improve patients outcome with procedures, and things I can do to help my patients feel better and lead a healthier life. Taking this path is a major career change for me and I am anxious about it. Starting a business is never easy and I am so nervous about the response to my new direction. I have a vision of how I want my practice to be: warm, inviting, and personal. It will be focused on a more holistic approach to women's health and needs.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, as a woman I understand all too well many of the problems women are faced with from
my own personal experiences and I want to really be more able to incorporate that understanding into patient care.

To be perfectly honest, another part of this decision lies in my wish to be the best mom and wife I can be. It has been difficult covering the entire hospital and call for 11 doctors. I can't provide the care I want to give my patients and I wasn't really doing a good job at home either. I have two daughters, a son and a step daughter who give me a very busy (actually crazy) family life. Having to stay in the hospital for 36 hours straight several times a month and having lots of evening meetings with my partners AND trying to keep up with continuing education courses and traveling the country
teaching other doctors didn't leave much time for my family. I hope to soon correct that void I've given to my family (and my patients) Even with offering the early morning, evening and Saturday appointment times, I will gain considerable time with my family which is priceless.

Having done Obstetrics in the Cincinnati area for 15 years I have cultivated relationships with other Ob's who have a
myriad of backgrounds and different methods of approaching patient care. My patients are not just a number to me, I feel
a personal connection with each one. I will be providing pre-conceptual counseling and first trimester care. During that
time, we will discuss which nearby Ob would be the best for you personally. I will look forward to seeing you again
postpartum, hearing your birth story and meeting your new arrival.