At Baptist Health La Grange I serve as an OBGYN taking care of patients through all phases of their lives. We help patients navigate pregnancy and childbirth. We'll see them for annual exams and also address various gynecologic concerns. People should know that women's health care is about much more than just a pap smear.
It's an opportunity to assess overall health. It can be mental well-being, sexual health, hormones, fertility, family planning, and anything that doesn't come up at other opportunities. I would encourage patients to think ahead about any questions or symptoms they've noticed, bring a list of medications, note the changes in their health history, and be honest. This visit should be a judgment free space.
Screening tests are a major focus for our annual exams. It can depend on age and individual risk factors, but a lot of times we're thinking about cervical cancer screening, breast exams, mammograms, testing for infections, assessing risk based on family history, and also talking about things like fertility, bone health, and menopause. If someone's feeling nervous about their appointment, I'd say they aren't alone. Good care isn't just about tests and diagnosis.
It can be about feeling safe and respected and truly listened to. So once you're here, we'll meet you where you are and support you every step of the way. I'd say the most rewarding part of my job is the continuity of care. It's incredibly rewarding to build lasting relationships and be someone my patients can rely on for their health care.
You get to know them over many years through major life transitions, pregnancy, family growth, potentially delivering multiple generations. And often that carries over to the office setting where we ensure long term care for our patients.
