Beginning in July, Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) will have a clinic dedicated to women’s health.
The clinic, which will be called the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center, will replace the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic.
NHP will transition to an ambulatory care model with robust same-day ambulatory surgical capabilities and a focus on outpatient care on July 1. As part of that transition, obstetric services will no longer be provided at NHP after July, but the new Comprehensive Women’s Health Center will provide gynecology and other women’s health care services.
“The Comprehensive Women’s Health Center will be an all-inclusive clinic for women,” said Lt. Tasha Gallegos, future division officer for the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center. “We will focus on the health care needs of women for all ages.”
Services the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center will provide in the clinic include pregnancy testing, evaluation and treatment of menstrual bleeding disorders, menopause management, sexual health counseling, contraceptive care (including insertion of intrauterine devices and other birth control), pelvic pain, evaluation and treatment for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse and infertility treatment (not including in vitro fertilization services). A “walk-in” contraceptive clinic will provide same-day counseling and treatment. The doctors will also provide outpatient surgeries for some hysterectomies, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures as well as vaginal surgeries including labiaplasties and perineoplasties.
“The Comprehensive Women’s Health Center will ensure women get the health care they need,” said Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, executive officer and practicing gynecologist, NHP. “In the event a woman needs a service that we cannot perform here, we will ensure they get a referral to another provider to get the appropriate care needed.”
The clinic will also assist patients who need a referral including pregnancies. Patients assigned to NHP will be referred to another facility for pregnancy care after July 1, but the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center will continue to provide assistance to expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy. The clinic will ensure referrals are managed appropriately and will check on patients throughout their pregnancy. The clinic will also offer a “fourth trimester” class to help prepare mothers and fathers for the experience of childbirth and what to expect when they bring baby home.
“The fourth trimester class will cover topics such as services available from Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society and Fleet and Family Support Services, how to register a newborn into DEERS, TRICARE coverage and what to expect after the baby is born,” said Gallegos. “We want to ensure our moms and dads are prepared for their new baby.”
The Comprehensive Women’s Health Center will be available to all TRICARE beneficiaries and patients enrolled to the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system – all that is needed is a referral. A clinic nurse is available for questions Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at (850) 505-6287.
“Transitions and change can be difficult, but we will always ensure our patients receive the best and safest care possible,” said Adriano. “We are excited about this new opportunity to serve our patients in a special clinic just for women.”