Tag Archive for: student spotlight

Covington Women’s Health Specialists Student Spotlight: Courtney Dorris

Covington Women’s Health is proud to offer a student program intended to give the next best and brightest training physicians a glimpse into what it’s like working in women’s health. We created the student spotlight blog series to highlight certain members in this program to give everyone an insight into this opportunity and the amazing people who participate.

Next up is Courtney Dorris, SNM. She’s been with Covington Women’s Health Specialists for two weeks. Learn more about Courtney by reading below!

Why did you choose to work in the field of obstetric/gynecologic medicine?

I chose to go into midwifery because I am passionate about reproductive health and wellbeing.  I love being a source of information and support for women during both difficult and exciting times in their lives.

What’s the most rewarding part of your clinical work?

The most rewarding part of working as a midwife is being able to share in the most vulnerable and special moments of a person’s life. Birth is such a sacred process, and it’s an honor to participate in that special moment to be there as a support for the family. 

What are your favorite past-times?

My favorite past times are being outdoors, crafting, and spending time with my family! 

Want to learn more about our student program? Read this blog here! If you have any more questions about Covington Women’s Health, reach out to our women’s health experts here or giving us a call at 770-385-8954.

Covington Women’s Health Specialists Student Spotlight: Grace Kim

Covington Women’s Health Specialists is proud to offer a student program intended to give the next best and brightest training physicians a glimpse into what it’s like working in women’s health. We created the student spotlight blog series to highlight certain members in this program to give everyone an insight into this opportunity and the amazing people who participate. 

Next up is Grace Kim, Medical Student Year 3 (“MS3”). She’s recently completed a six-week rotation with Covington Women’s Health Specialists. Learn more about Grace by reading below! 

Why did you choose to work in the field of obstetric/gynecologic medicine? 

I love the field of OB/GYN, because it’s a nice balance of both primary care and surgery. I not only get to create long-lasting relationships with patients, but I also get to do procedures in the OR. This further assists my patient, therefore allowing me to create stronger bonds with them! 

What does your daily routine look like?

It’s different each day depending on whether I’m scheduled to be at the office, in surgery, or on L&D call. This diversity is one of the parts I loved about working here.

For office days, we’d usually see a wide variety of patients, including both OB and GYN, in the outpatient setting from 8 AM to 4 PM. These visits could range anywhere from routine visits to emergent, more acute problems.

On surgery days, I’d get to the hospital around 7 am to review the day’s surgeries so I know what to expect, as well as review the patient charts. Depending on the complexity of the surgeries scheduled, each day was very different. After the last surgery of the day, I would go observe ultrasounds in the office.

On L&D call days, I stay at the hospital from 7 am – 7 pm. During that time I see triage patients, visit current patients, and assist in deliveries and C-sections.

What are your favorite past-times? 

I really enjoy spending working out at the gym and cooking up new foods to try. Many of my friends and family know me as a huge foodie! I also love to go on long hikes and watch movies.

If you have any more questions about Covington Women’s Health and our student program, reach out to our women’s health experts by clicking here or giving us a call at 770-385-8954. 

Covington Women’s Health Specialists Student Spotlight: Leah Topper

Covington Women’s Health is proud to offer a student program intended to give the next best and brightest training physicians a glimpse into what it’s like working in women’s health. We created the student spotlight blog series to highlight certain members in this program to give everyone an insight into this opportunity and the amazing people who participate.

Next up is Leah Topper, Medical Student Year 3 (“MS3”) at the AU/UGA Medical Partnership. She’s recently completed a four-week rotation with Covington Women’s Health Specialists. Learn more about Leah by reading below!

What does your daily routine look like?

My routine is different every day! During my month at Covington Women’s Health Specialists, I’ve spent time in a variety of OB/GYN settings. That includes in the clinic, in the labor and delivery unit, and in the operating room. In all of those places, my routine includes learning from and working with the doctors and midwives, studying for school exams, and normal life things like exercising, talking to my family, and cooking meals.

What’s one thing that has surprised you about being at Covington Women’s Health Specialists?

This is my first rotation of medical school, so every day holds new and surprising experiences, plus opportunities to learn! One thing I have really appreciated is how friendly and kind everyone has been to me – the doctors, midwives, nurses, medical assistants, office staff, scrub techs, the list goes on. But I’m especially thankful for the patients, for whom I am grateful for their flexibility, patience, and willingness to help me learn and practice new skills.

Is there a specific patient or work experience that left a lasting impact on you? If so, explain how and why.

I feel so grateful and thankful for the opportunities I had by helping deliver babies while in the labor and delivery unit. These have been truly such incredible, amazing, and humbling experiences. Thank you to all of the mothers who let me be a part of such a significant moment of their lives.

What are your favorite past-times?

I enjoy exercising, hiking, trying new recipes and restaurants, doing jigsaw puzzles, and reading.

If you have any more questions about Covington Women’s Health and our student program, reach out to our women’s health experts by clicking here or giving us a call at 770-385-8954.

Covington Women’s Health Specialists Student Spotlight: Cat Palmer

Covington Women’s Health is proud to offer a student program intended to give the next best and brightest training physicians a glimpse into what it’s like working in women’s health. We created the student spotlight blog series to highlight certain members in this program to give everyone an insight into this opportunity and the amazing people who participate. 

First up is Cat Palmer, BSN-RN, IBCLC. She’s been working with Covington Women’s Health as a student nurse-midwife since January 2020. Learn more about Cat by reading below! 

Why did you choose to work in the field of obstetric/gynecologic medicine? 

I have always been passionate about women’s health. I believe that when women are supported to create the families they want in the way they want, women can be empowered to create the communities and the world that they want to live in. Reproductive justice gives people control over their own lives and their bodies. We can help create healthier, happier future generations. As a doula and lactation consultant, I was already familiar with approaching health from a holistic, person-centered approach, and so midwifery was the natural next step for me!

What are the key challenges of this field of medicine?

There’s never enough time! If I could spend two hours with each of my patients at each visit, I would. 

What are some unique and/or special skills you have as a student at Covington Women’s Health Specialists?

Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned from Denise! She is an incredible preceptor and has made the concepts I learned in the classroom really make sense. 

What’s the most rewarding part of your clinical work?

I love it when people get curious about their own health and healthcare and start taking more ownership of the process. I love hearing patients’ questions and love when patients advocate for themselves to be cared for in a certain way. 

What does your daily routine look like?

On workdays I typically get up around 6 am, have a (strong!) cup of coffee, and then listen to the news as I drive to work. On non-clinical days, I wake up early, go for a run or do some yoga, then spend most of my day doing homework and bothering my two cats. I always make sure to save time at the end of the day to make a nice dinner- spending an hour in the kitchen at the end of the day is my favorite way to unwind. 

What’s one thing that has surprised you about being at Covington Women’s Health Specialists?

I love when I hear people say they are going to birth their baby in the same hospital that they were born in! 

Is there a specific patient or work experience that left a lasting impact on you? If so, explain how and why.

I will always cherish the memory of the first birth I attended as a doula. My client was young, and at first, I couldn’t tell if she actually wanted me to be there. After her birth, she told me that having my support meant the world to her, she had learned so much, and that she couldn’t have done it without me. It was an honor to watch her blossom into a mother, and I was so grateful that she trusted me to be with her on that journey.

Do you have any advice for people hoping to work in your field? 

Learn how to rest and take care of yourself. This work is so special, but it can be hard and requires a lot of your energy. Keep healthy boundaries and make time for yourself! 

Tell us about your family! 

My parents were reporters, so I grew up learning to ask lots of questions! I am so grateful for the curiosity they instilled in me and feel like it makes me a better clinician. They live outside of Boston, and we get to see them every few months. I live in Atlanta with my husband and two cats, and we see my aunts, who also live here, often. His family lives in Houston, and we make a point to see them frequently as well. My husband is the oldest of four siblings, which is a lot of fun for me because I grew up as an only child. I consider my friends to be family as well and spend a lot of time traveling to North Carolina, New York, Chicago, and California to visit them. 

What are your favorite past-times? 

I love to hike! I’ve been tackling bits and pieces of the Appalachian Trail over the past few years, and escape to North Georgia whenever I can to do another section. I also love to do yoga, read, and cook and bake for my loved ones. 

If you have any more questions about Covington Women’s Health and our student program, reach out to our women’s health experts by clicking here or giving us a call at 770-385-8954.