While there are many factors women consider when choosing an OB/GYN for their care, patient/doctor communication should be high on the list. Receiving the best care possible can be greatly dependent upon the patient/doctor relationship. If a patient is not comfortable sharing personal issues with their doctor, the patient may not receive optimal care.
At Distinctive Care for Women, doctors Patrice Staten, MD, Erin Wright, MD, and Manisha Shah, MD, feel communication with their patients is of the upmost importance. “Our patients are sharing some of their most personal life experiences with us,” said Dr. Wright. “It is important for all patients to feel our office is a safe space where all of their concerns can be addressed in a respectful manner.”
Part of what makes their care so distinctive is that they are an all-female practice, including their support staff. “Many women feel more comfortable talking with a woman regarding their body and reproductive health,” said Dr. Staten. “As women, we can empathize with our patients. When I share similar personal experiences with them, they feel more at ease.”
This practice offers more than just a place where women seek care during pregnancy; they treat women of all ages and stages. “I enjoy engaging with my younger patients and empowering them to take a proactive stance regarding their health,” said Dr. Wright. “Even my patients who are away at college know that I am always accessible and will support them while they are away.”
“We help patients come full-circle from puberty, through pregnancy, and well into menopause,” said Dr. Staten. Caring for multiple generations of women within the same family is common in this practice. “The long lasting relationship we build with our patients is one of the most rewarding aspects of being doctors,” they said.
Although they are proud of providing patients with compassionate care, they are equally as proud of the quality of care they render. Dr. Staten received a combined Bachelor of Arts and Medical Degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. She completed her residency training with the Army and Air Force at Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall in San Antonio, Texas and is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Staten extends her service to Highland, Illinois every first Tuesday of each month. She is also one of few physicians on staff who perform robotic surgery.
Dr. Wright earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and Medical Degree from the University of Chicago-Pritzker School of Medicine. She completed her residency training at Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School and was in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia prior to relocating to Southwest Illinois. She is a member of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Manisha Shah, a Board Certified Ob/Gyn, has over a decade of expertise in the latest advances in women’s care. Following the completion of medical school at the prestigious M.S. University Baroda College of Medicine in her native India, Dr. Shah completed her residency training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Allegheny General Hospital/Allegheny Health Network, affiliated with Temple University School of Medicine, where Dr. Shah served as Chief Resident.
In addition to seeing patients at their main office in Maryville, they all see patients in offices located in Bethalto, Highland and Staunton! Call for details if you’d like to be seen in one of those offices! 618-288-9320.