July 1, 2008 11:05 AM
Women take charge of their well-being.
From carpooling the kids to practice, taking care of the home, finding and managing a relationship, deciding on a career, planning a family and more, it’s little wonder that women these days sometimes find it hard to make good health and wellness a priority. But taking care of body and mind doesn’t have to take all of one’s time. Louisiana’s variety of excellent of health and wellness professionals assure that women can feel good from head to toe.
Heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer remain the most deadly concerns for American women but preventative measures, including a healthy lifestyle, can help women live longer. These doctors and health providers can help treat the whole body and support a healthy future.
“Our department has the full gamut of services,” says Gabriella Pridijan M.D., professor and chairman at Tulane School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “We offer women’s comprehensive health care and we strive to take care of the entire person.” Tulane’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department has specialists in gynecological cancer, high-risk obstetrics (maternal fetal medicine) and reproductive endocrinology and fertility. The doctors and staff say that they’re committed to providing individualized attention for every patient’s needs. “The strongest part of our department is our consideration of each woman as unique and we spend time with her during the visit,” says Pridijan. The department also offers cutting-edge ultra sonography, used for first trimester screenings and for measuring the size of an early fetus and the amount of lymphatic fluid present – measurements that can predict some birth defects. The training environment created by a university hospital means that problems are looked at from multiple angles in order to find the best path of care.
The clinic office is located at 4720 South Interstate-10 Service Road, Suite 300 in Metairie, on the Tulane-Lakeside Hospital campus. For more information, call 988-8070.
Small size and individualized attention is what makes Dr. Jennifer Garrett’s practice in Family Medicine unique. Dr. Garrett says, “We strive never to grow so much that we don’t know each individual patient … And our patients feel like family.” Dr. Garrett treats the whole family, from children through the elderly, and says she focuses on listening to her patients. “The biggest issue for women is feeling like they aren’t heard.” But with her patient-centered approach, combined with expertise, she aims to listen and work with them to devise a health maintenance plan early on. Dr. Garrett is currently accepting new patients.
Same day appointments are available, too. Dr. Garrett’s office is located at 1315 Antoine St., in New Orleans’ Garden District. To make an appointment call 891-4015.
Cardiovascular Institute of the South is one of the nation’s most respected groups of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and thoracic surgeons, representing nearly every specialty in heart and vascular medicine. While most leading medical centers are located in a single facility within a large city, CIS and its staff of more than 500 dedicated CIS team members and nearly 40 physicians bring comprehensive cardiovascular care close to home by serving patients in 10 locations throughout south Louisiana. CIS offers a comprehensive heart and vascular program that includes specialized medical professionals trained in nuclear cardiology, electrophysiology, prevention services and lipid management, as well as interventional cardiovascular procedures and cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. CIS is a world-leader in treating peripheral vascular disease. CIS physicians serve as clinical investigators for many new and innovative medical devices and often share their knowledge by lecturing around the country about the latest methods of treating both cardiac and peripheral vascular disease.
For more information, visit www.cardio.com.
The Women’s Center at Thibodaux Regional features 12 private labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) suites where mothers receive quality, personalized care and can stay from the time they enter the hospital until they leave with their new babies. Included in the Center are a Level II Nursery and a special suite where mothers can stay overnight if discharged before their newborn.
“Mothers delivering at Thibodaux Regional appreciate staying in one room throughout their delivery process and recovery,” says Darlene Fangue R.N.C., clinical director of the Women’s Center. “They’ve told us it makes their birthing experience less stressful and more enjoyable for both them and their families.”
In addition to the elegant decor of the spacious LDRP suites, each private room looks out onto a New Orleans-style courtyard decorated with beautiful statues and soothing landscaping. The most important part of the Women’s Center – the team of skilled
obstetricians, pediatricians, nurses and technicians – is on staff to care for mother and baby using leading-edge technology. Thibodaux Regional offers lactation classes and support groups for new parents, along with a variety of educational materials.
To learn more about the services offered at the Women’s Center, visit www.thibodaux.com or call (985) 493-4701 for a tour.
Healthy bones are essential to a healthy body. And in fact, one of the diseases common to women is osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break, as well as Scoliosis and Spondylolythesis, a deformity or malalignment of the spine. Dr. Alexis Waguespack M.D., is a fellowship-trained spine specialist who treats a range of spine conditions, including osteoporosis.
Dr. Waguespack uses the latest technologies and advancements in orthopedic medicine to allow patients to return to normal activities as quickly as possible. She performs minimally invasive surgeries and offers a range of therapies. “We offer many solutions for women to take charge of their spine,” Waguespack says, in order to maintain their active lifestyles now that women are living longer healthier lives.
For more information about women’s orthopedic health, or to make an appointment, call 887-7207.
Elizabeth Winkler-Schmit and Lisa George are the co-owners of Magnolia Physical Therapy, a physical therapy clinic that offers massage therapy, physical therapy and wellness services. Winkler-Schmit and George bought a failing physical therapy practice that is now Magnolia Physical Therapy a month before Katrina and have since returned to rebuild not only their flooded homes but to rejuvenate their business. The owners of this woman-run business say they’re committed to helping women lead healthier lives. Magnolia Physical Therapy provides physical therapy services targeted to pregnant women and to women’s specific health issues. Winkler-Schmit says she discovered first-hand the difference physical therapy could make during her own pregnancy when back pain threatened to debilitate her. “I could not have worked full time without it,” she says. Winkler-Schmit and George began taking courses with the American Physical Therapy Association’s Section on Women’s Health and realized all the other women’s health problems physical therapy can help with, including urinary incontinence, pelvic floor pain and interstitial cystitis – even patients recovery from breast surgery. ”We feel this is a very important field to address as most women are not comfortable bringing these topics up to their physicians. If we can empower them with the knowledge that there is help out there they can get the treatment they need.”
For more information about Magnolia Physical Therapy, call 733-0254, email info@magnoliatherapyla.com or visit 990 North Corporate Drive, Suite 305, in Harahan.
The mission of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is to improve the lives of Louisianians by providing health guidance and affordable access to quality care. Blue Cross and Blue Shield requires its network doctors to provide equitable care to all members based on solid medical evidence and national quality standards.
As of 2008 renewals, all Blue Cross policies cover an annual routine gynecological exam, Pap smear, mammogram and fecal occult blood test for colon cancer screening. The company’s Medical Management team reminds targeted members to get their annual mammograms and Pap smears. And it offers Care Management programs for at-risk pregnancies and premature babies.
Louisiana ranks 12th nationally for adult obesity – a condition linked to illnesses of concern to women, including breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Blue Cross battles obesity with its “Louisiana 2 Step” and “2 Step 4 Kids” programs.
The Louisiana 2 Step urges Louisiana adults to eat right and move more with a fun, free and informative website: www.Louisiana2Step.com. The www.2Step4Kids.com Web site is designed for children ages 5 to 12.
Women help make up the 1.1 million insured who trust the Cross and Shield. The company says it’s committed to women’s good health – and the health of all Louisianians.
With over 25 years experience, The Doctors at Louisiana Research Associates have provided the opportunity for people to participate in clinical trials which investigate the effectiveness of innovative medications. At the present time, there’s a trial of an investigative medication for menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes. There are also other trials enrolling patients that suffer from cancer pain, hypertension, osteoarthritis, depression and schizophrenia. Louisiana Research Associates is located at 3520 General DeGaulle Drive, Suite 4030, New Orleans. For more information, visit www.lrainc.net or call 363-7448.