Some providers from Elite Women’s Health are joining the healthcare system.
A well-established local obstetrics and gynecology practice is closing its doors this week, with some providers joining Mary Washington Healthcare and others establishing a new practice that will provide gynecological care only.
Patients of Elite Women’s Health received a letter dated June 17 from Daniel Woodford, medical director of Mary Washington Medical Group, informing them that “many of the providers” associated with the practice would be joining Mary Washington Medical Group effective July 15.
Elite Women’s Health has provided OB-GYN care to the Fredericksburg area for 12 years, according to its website, which was updated to state that the practice is closing.
According to Woodford’s letter, two of the practice’s doctors, Leedylyn Stadulis and Brittany Bowler, are joining Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Hospital spokeswoman Emily Thurston said these doctors will continue to deliver babies at both Mary Washington and Stafford hospitals with no interruption in service.
The practice’s third doctor, Zeenat Patel, is opening her own new practice, Elite Gynecology and Wellness, that will provide gynecological care only, focusing on “menopausal health, breast health, weight loss, and soon, aesthetics,” according to Woodford’s letter.
Patel, joined by nurse practitioner Heather Pickett, will begin seeing patients on July 16, according to the website.
The new practice is the second women’s health center in the area that no longer provides obstetrical care for pregnant and birthing people. New Beginnings OB-GYN has also stopped taking obstetric patients.
Elite Women’s Health also employed three certified nurse midwives, who are joining Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology’s new midwifery program. They will offer outpatient services in Spotsylvania beginning on July 15 but will not be delivering babies until they join “hospital-based care” at Stafford Hospital on July 31, Thurston said.
They’ll join four Stafford-based certified nurse midwives to make up the midwifery team at Stafford Hospital.
The midwives will only deliver at Stafford Hospital, Thurston said.
Patients of the three Elite Women’s Health midwives whose due dates fall between July 15 and 31 will not have their babies delivered by the providers they’ve seen throughout their pregnancies.
The Advance spoke to one patient who will be affected by this change.
“I was told to familiarize myself with [the obstetricians] already available through [Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology],” the patient said. “There are four pages of people and I have no idea who is going to be on call. I will not have any choice. I don’t know if they will respect my preferences, or whether I’ll be put in a situation that I’m uncomfortable with.”
According to its website, there are 15 doctors, four nurse practitioners, and one physician assistant affiliated with Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Of the 15 doctors, one is on a leave of absence, and—according to the website—just five are taking new patients.
Editor’s Note: Read our previous coverage about the local, statewide, and national OB-GYN shortage.
By Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR & CORRESPONDENT
Email Adele
