Here at Evergreen Women's Health, we have three types of obstetric/gynecologic providers. Each of us are independent practitioners that provide full range obstetric and gynecologic care. This means we can all help deliver your baby while also seeing you for your women's health annuals and much more.
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There are some differences between our training types and what we have to offer individual patients. The three types of providers are Certified Nurse Midwives, Family Medicine Physicians, and Obstetrician-Gynecologist Physicians. Below I will go into more detail on each profession.
Certified Nurse Midwives also abbreviated to CNMs are registered nurses who completed additional schooling to become independent healthcare providers. It is an advanced practice nursing degree similar to a Nurse Practitioner. The midwife care model is a holistic approach with a focus on less intervention. CNMs typically manage low-risk patients, while they can co-manage higher-risk patients with a physician. Midwives' visit lengths are longer, allowing us to spend more time with our patients. There are some procedures that midwives refer out to our physician partners to perform. Lastly, if a midwife patient needs surgery we can assist a physician in their surgery to keep the continuity of care.
Schooling:
Four years of undergraduate for a Bachelor in Nursing
Two years of midwifery school for Masters
Both of our CNMs have/will have their Doctorate which is another 1-2 years of schooling.
Family Medicine Physicians are the same doctor you would consider your primary care provider. Our Family Med Physicians chose to take care of obstetric and gynecologic patients which is within their scope of care. A lot of people find it convenient to see the same provider for their everyday health problems, as well as if they become pregnant or have gynecologic concerns. They can even see your baby or other children as well. Family Med Physicians can manage low to moderate-risk patients and also co-manage higher-risk patients with an OB/GYN. They can perform a wide variety of procedures, but there are still some that they refer to OB/GYN physicians for. Our Family Med Physicians don't perform surgery but they can assist in the surgery to provide continuity of care.
Schooling:
Four years of undergraduate for healthcare/science Bachelor
Four years of medical school to become a physician
Three years of family medicine residency training
Obstetrician-Gynecologists are the provider most people think of when they hear about women's health. They are a physician that chose to specialize in the care of female patients. They can see patients across the entire risk spectrum from low to high. OB/GYNs are experts in the field and have devoted many years to the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. They can do almost all obstetric/gynecologic procedures and can perform surgery. Typical surgeries they perform are cesarean sections, hysterectomies, tubal ligations, bladder surgeries, and prolapse repair.
Schooling:
Four years of undergraduate for healthcare/science Bachelor
Four years of medical school to become a physician
Four years of OB/GYN residency training
No matter what provider you choose to see at Evergreen Women's Health you will receive excellent care. Each of our providers are caring, compassionate, knowledgeable, and safe practitioners that I would recommend to anyone. We have a well-rounded care team and look forward to providing the best evidence-based care to all of our patients.