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.