Inova Loudoun Offers Coordinated Women’s Care for Every Stage of Life
Focused on Women’s Health
As a woman’s body changes throughout her lifetime, so does her need for personalized, quality care. Inova Loudoun Hospital provides specialized care at every stage of a woman’s life, from her reproductive years through mature adulthood.
“We’re developing a more coordinated, comprehensive approach,” explains Anne Brown, MD, OB-GYN, and Medical Director of the Women’s Health Services at Inova Loudoun. “Our goal is to coordinate these services in such a way that our women’s health navigator and birth navigator can guide patients through all the different services in a seamless way.”
Coordinated Care
The Women’s Health program has welcomed a women’s health navigator, Marie Tolliver, RN, to help coordinate care for patients with any number of issues and handle referrals. If patients need to see a physician, pelvic physical therapist, urologist/urogynecologist, counselor, gastroenterologist, cardiologist or other healthcare provider, she helps to point patients in the right direction and make sure they have a seamless communication between laboratory, radiology and provider. You can call Marie at 703-858-8936.
Future Plans for More Women’s Services
EDUCATION:
Dr. Brown says Inova Loudoun Hospital is planning to host an ongoing series of educational programs in the future that can address women’s health problems and provide free advice and insight for the community.
ONE-STOP FACILITY:
A new hospital tower (expected to be completed in the next 5 years) will house both inpatient
and other women’s services. “The new building will have a variety of enhancements, including updates to the NICU and gynecology department,” says Dr. Brown. The goal is for Inova Loudoun Hospital to offer a “one-stop shopping” experience for the various services that women and their families require.
Care Over a Lifetime
The expert staff at Inova Loudoun Hospital provides specialized care as early as adolescence.
“Our board-certified gynecologists are available to consult with adolescent patients about menstrual difficulties, contraceptive needs, and education regarding their bodies and how to stay healthy,” says Dr. Brown. “Many college-aged women will see the gynecologist before leaving home for the first time, although many adolescents can also benefit from consultation at a younger age in order to establish a doctor-patient relationship and set the stage for personal health maintenance.”
For conditions that require surgical intervention, such as fibroids or gynecologic cancers, Inova Loudoun Hospital offers the latest minimally invasive treatments (such as vaginal, laparoscopic or robotic surgeries), resulting in less postoperative discomfort, a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery time.
During a woman’s postmenopausal years, she may encounter urogynecologic issues including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic-organ prolapse. Inova Loudoun Hospital offers a full range of preventive and treatment services to help women manage these conditions.
“We have two pelvic physical therapists in our rehabilitation center that work with women to postpone or avoid surgery altogether,” says Dr. Brown.
When surgical intervention is necessary, the hospital offers the most advanced procedures in pelvic reconstruction surgery. A specially trained urogynecologist is available for more complex cases.
Welcoming Baby
Inova Loudoun Hospital offers childbirth services throughout a woman’s pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery.
“The Ladies Board Birthing Inn and the Natural Birth Center give women a wide array of options, including whether they want a medicated or unmedicated birth with or without various interventions,” says Dr. Brown.
The highly skilled medical staff at the Birthing Inn provides a personalized, supportive environment for a woman to have the unique birthing experience she desires. Private, homelike labor-delivery-recovery suites and postpartum rooms provide a nurturing, family-centered atmosphere. A high-level IIIA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is close by should the need arise. Certified lactation coordinators work with patients in and out of the hospital setting to educate and assist mothers in nursing their babies.
For high-risk pregnancies, the Birthing Inn provides specialized care in the Antenatal Testing Center, which offers comprehensive diagnostic tests to monitor the health of mother and baby.
The Natural Birth Center offers a low-intervention option for women seeking to have birthing experiences similar to home deliveries, with the added benefit of immediate access to safe, supportive care, should they need it.
Best in Breast Health
To maintain optimal breast health throughout a woman’s lifetime, Inova Breast Care Program offers world-class services from diagnosis through recovery. High-quality, comprehensive breast imaging represents the cornerstone of any breast care program, and to that end, Inova Loudoun Hospital was recently named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.
“This designation reflects our dedication and commitment as a hospital to women’s health,” says Shannon Lehr, MD, Medical Director for Inova Breast Care Program at Inova Loudoun Hospital. “Our breast fellowship-trained radiologists are second to none, and the same can be said of our imaging technicians.”
Breast imaging services include advanced 3-D screening mammography. Other services include diagnostic mammography and breast ultrasound, breast MRI and the full range of minimally invasive, image-guided core needle breast biopsies, including stereotactic breast biopsies.
For women with a strong family history of certain types of cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancers, there is a robust genetic counseling program.
“Genetic counseling can be truly life-saving,” says Dr. Lehr. “Based upon your family history, if there is a concern that you are at risk for having a gene abnormality, the genetic counselor will guide you through the complex decision-making about genetic testing. If a woman elects to be tested and is found to carry an abnormal (or mutated) gene, prophylactic surgery or medical management can be offered to greatly decrease her chances of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.”
Breast surgeons at Inova Loudoun Hospital
- Virginia Chiantella, MD
- Kirsten Edmiston, MD
- Shannon Lehr, MD
Search Inova.org/physicians for more information on each surgeon.
Guiding Light for Cancer
At Inova Loudoun Hospital, oncology nurse navigators are available to guide women through the challenges of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. A navigator is there to coordinate each patient’s care and provide support through every step of her cancer journey.
“We are that continuity for the patients and their families; we are there for them from the start to the end of their treatment, to be their support, guide them, educate them and help them get through the experience,” says oncology nurse navigator Christine Stone.
Oncology nurse navigators work with patients affected by all cancer types.
“We work with patients, helping them find resources that they need and also educating them on what their treatment is,” says Oncology Nurse Navigator Barb McDonnell.
Stepping Up to Support Breast Cancer Patients
The Step Sisters represent a new approach to charity. Working with Inova Loudoun, Fair Oaks and Fairfax hospitals, The Step Sisters provide quality-of-life services to patients as they battle breast cancer. These services include transportation to appointments, house cleaning, childcare and fresh food delivery.
As children and siblings of breast cancer patients and, in some cases, survivors themselves, The Step Sisters truly understand the daily challenges faced by patients.
Together, Inova and The Step Sisters are working to alleviate some of the day-to-day worry associated with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, allowing the patient to focus on healing. Learn more at stepsisters.org.
How Can We Help?
To connect with an oncology nurse navigator at Inova Loudoun Hospital, visit www.inova.org/cancer/meet-the-navigators