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Patients often ask me why I chose the field
that I did. I chose obstetrics and gynecology for two main
reasons. First, in general it is an uplifting specialty. For
the most part it deals with healthy patients during an
exciting and happy part of their life. Second, it provides a
unique combination of medicine and surgery, both of which I
enjoy, not available in most other specialties.
I chose to specialize in reproductive
endocrinology/infertility primarily for the technical
expertise it requires. At the time of my training,
microsurgery (on diseased tubes, etc.) was the mainstay of
surgical treatment of infertility, and I enjoyed this very
much.
Operative laparoscopy had already begun its
rise and being at the forefront of this surgery, where
operations that once required a major incision were now being
done with "band-aide" surgery, was exciting. Invitro
Fertilization was in its infancy.
As noted on this website, I was involved in
producing the first Invitro Fertilization pregnancy (twins by
the way) in Illinois. This technology has, of course, emerged
as the dominant "high-tech" procedure in fertility
therapy.
I chose to go into private practice because I
enjoy working with people. At the time I completed my
specialty training, virtually all reproductive
endocrinologists went into research. As a result, the only
place patients could get this level of expertise was at major
centers where they became part of a clinic, being seen by
various doctors whose main interests were academic.
I felt that this level of care should be
available in a private practice setting and that patients
should be able to develop a relationship with their Doctor. I
therefore began and maintain a solo, private practice.
The most rewarding part of my specialty
however, is the look on the face of a couple as I refer them
to their obstetrician for prenatal care with a healthy
pregnancy. This is the main reason I chose my specialty.
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