Bridging Care and Community: Lynn Community Health Center’s OB/GYN Services

Supporting Women’s Healthcare Needs at Lynn Community Health Center

Obstetrics and Gynecology Services (OB/GYN services) is just one piece of a much larger effort to provide comprehensive women’s healthcare at Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC). Kristen Cotter, Team Medical Director for the OB/GYN department at LCHC, spearheads this mission.

“We provide full care, from seeking pregnancy through outpatient care and hospital care,” she offers. “Our OB team includes five OB/GYN doctors, one midwife, and eight family medicine doctors.”

“We also provide GYN care (gynecology services), everything from infertility and pelvic pain to abnormal bleeding. We do outpatient services in our office as well as surgeries at Salem Hospital.”

Under Dr. Cotter’s leadership, the OB/GYN department has made significant strides to offer a full range of obstetric services and gynecological services. From early pregnancy screenings to postpartum care, the team ensures each woman’s motherhood journey is supported by expertise, compassion, and state-of-the-art medical care.

LCHC’s Comprehensive Care Approach

The OB/GYN department at Lynn Community Health Center is a good example of our patient-centric, value-based care model. It’s how we emphasize continuity of care through each phase of a patient’s health journey.

Our approach is rooted in the philosophy that quality care begins with comprehensive preconception counseling. Patients receive tailored advice on nutrition, genetics, and lifestyle to optimize health before pregnancy.

During prenatal care, the department provides meticulous monitoring of both the mother’s well-being and the baby’s. We offer advanced screening for genetic conditions and manage any complications. The department’s care extends into labor and delivery with a focus on personalized birthing plans and pain management options.

“Twenty-four hours a day we have someone on call at Salem Hospital to handle our emergencies and deliveries. Most of the time it’s a Lynn Community Health Center doctor there,” shares Cotter. She’s quick to point out that the mother-to-be benefits from seeing the same people throughout her pregnancy.

“I tell them they’ll see the same faces here in the office that they will in the hospital. That provides some lovely continuity for our patients when they come to deliver their babies.”

Postpartum care is equally thorough, and new mothers receive support on breastfeeding, mental health, and recovery. Cotter’s team makes sure that each woman’s postnatal experience is met with attentive medical care and emotional support.

The department’s integrated services encompass overall gynecological health. We offer routine screenings, contraceptive counseling, and management of menopausal symptoms.

We Embrace Cultural Sensitivity in Our Medical Practice

Cultural sensitivity is more than a policy at LCHC. It’s a practice woven into the fabric of our daily patient interactions. We recognize the diverse tapestry of the community, and our team includes bilingual staff and even offers interpreter services to bridge any communication gaps.

“Many of our patients come to us from other places, other cultures, and sometimes they’re surprised with the thoroughness of our counseling. We want them to understand what’s going on,” says Cotter. “This means talking through the risks, the benefits, and the alternatives. Then we ask them what they think. We really believe in the process of consent and shared decision making. We work hard to make that happen.”

This commitment to inclusivity helps our experts understand what obstacles might stand in the way of more inclusive healthcare.

How Social Determinants of Health Influence OB/GYN Care

Recognizing that health begins outside the clinic walls, LCHC’s OB/GYN department takes a proactive stance to address social determinants of health. These outside-the-health-center factors shape overall health outcomes.

The OB/GYN department acknowledges that health is influenced by an array of social factors:

• Access to nutritious food
• Stable housing
• Education and job opportunities
• Safe environments
• Social support networks

These elements are integral to the holistic approach of the OB/GYN services. They help us  be sure that the care we provide extends beyond the clinic’s walls into areas where daily life unfolds.

These healthcare determinants are influenced by socioeconomic factors like:

• Economic stability: The department assists patients navigate health insurance complexities and provides resources for those who face financial barriers to care.
• Education access and quality: We provide health education sessions to equip women with knowledge about their health and wellness.
• Healthcare access and quality: The department addresses disparities in health outcomes with easy access to high-quality healthcare, including preventative services and screenings.
• Neighborhood and built environment: We recognize the impact of one’s environment on health. LCHC advocates for safe housing and connects patients with community resources to help improve their living conditions.
• Social and community context: The OB/GYN team builds trust and support within the community to foster a sense of belonging. This reduces the isolation that can affect mental and physical health.

Dr. Cotter says, “Once we establish that, yes, she wants to continue this pregnancy and establish prenatal care with us, we start with a full history so that we incorporate everything we know about her. Her past OB history, medical history, surgical history, social history. We combine that into a full picture of what her issues and needs are through this pregnancy. Each visit builds on that.”

Our OB/GYN Services Continues to Grow

The OB/GYN department has evolved to meet the needs of our patients. Dr. Cotter reflects on the expansion of services: “Our program is growing. The demand for our services is high, and we are proud to change and improve with the times.”

The OB/GYN services at Lynn Community Health Center remain at the forefront of comprehensive, culturally competent, and technologically advanced care. As healthcare continues to evolve, our unwavering dedication continues to support women’s health services throughout the region.