The Beginning…

Why Illumination Women’s Health?

First off, for all of you!  I’ve heard thousands of stories and read hundreds of reviews.  I have been reflecting A LOT on the services I provide, how they’re being provided, marketed, and how I can continue to maximize the skillset I have to do the best for all of you.  I hear you!  I’m aware I am taking a risk and I pray it will be worth it.  I’m depending on all of you as much as many of you depend on me.  I would forever regret not taking this chance for myself and especially, for all of you.

While my practice with Saint Alphonsus has been successful, I have been craving for something more.  For years I have watched, listened, advocated, and finally came to the realization that it was time to take things into my own hands.  I will be forever grateful to St. Al’s but I needed something more.  Who knows, maybe I’ll be back with St. Al’s in the future if they’ll have me.  It really is a great organization with a lot of great people.

My biggest supporter, my husband, has been encouraging me for a couple years to think about doing something different.  In the Spring of 2023 I hit my breaking point.  It was something seemingly small which I won’t get into details on.  There was literally nothing I could do about it but it reflected on me and the care I was able to provide.  Figuratively, it was a hill too high, with too many obstacles and for little reward.  I thought to myself, this is something I could manage better and I would regret it if I didn’t give it a shot.  But again, why?  I must be crazy.  I’ve second guessed myself.  I’ve stressed about it.  And now I’m to the point where I’m prepared to make the leap and let’s do this.

I have chosen to focus my efforts on an area of Women’s Health I feel is vastly underrepresented.  I’ve heard from women in this perimenopausal/menopausal group experience symptoms that are often dismissed.  A recent survey of postgraduate residents found that “Of 177 respondents, 36 (20.3%) reported not receiving any menopause lectures during residency, and only 12 of 177 (6.8%) reported feeling adequately prepared to manage women experiencing menopause” (Kling JM, MacLaughlin KL, Schnatz PF, et al. Menopause Management Knowledge in Postgraduate Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Mayo Clin Proc. 2019;94(2):242-253. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.08.033).

You Are Worth It!  You don’t need to suffer!  There are options available!

About The Plan

I don’t “yet” have a physical location.  I’m planning and looking though!  More to come in the months ahead as I kick things off.  I have a team that has been supporting me and I will be forever grateful to their support. 

I am limited in the care I can provide over telemedicine, but it does present many opportunities I could not otherwise provide.  I am extending my service area to include anybody residing in Idaho. I also will be providing extended non-traditional hours for you ladies with crazy schedules!  Things will most certainly change in the months/year ahead.  Expect it.  One thing won’t change.  The compassion for you, the knowledge I can share, the hope I can provide you that things can be better and empower you to take control of your life.  This is why I say on my website, there is no award for suffering through menopause.  It really is surprising how many times I’ve heard from women how their provider has told them it is a natural process that will improve, wait it out! Trying to wait out this unorganized chaotic stage of life while trying to function at a high capacity is not an option for many women!

My Commitment

My commitment to you is to be approachable and be an advocate for you.  To provide you the best care possible and in a way nobody else can.  I do not commit to being free from grammatical errors on this blog because this is new for me.  Terrifying really.  But what I lack here I make up for in my dedication to you.

What’s Next

Expect future blog posts will include more technical information.  I’m here to help you, not for you to hear about my story.  This is only a natural beginning that is semi-obligatory.  Setting the stage, so to speak.  More to come…