Baby Boom In Berlin
12 May 2019 News
(Dr. Cynthia Fisher and her daughter)
BERLIN, Wis. – In family practice at ThedaCare Physicians-Berlin, Dr. Abby Puglisi sees a wide variety of patients. Recently, Dr. Puglisi has also been a patient as she is expecting her second child. In a unique situation, she and her colleagues have provided care for each other throughout their pregnancies and delivery.
“Who better to take care of me than the individuals that know me well?” she said. “In a small hospital, the atmosphere is much like family. I have been very pleased with how I have been treated by all of the ThedaCare team members.”
Dr. Puglisi, who is due in June, is seeing Dr. Jared Kohlenberg for her OB care and plans to deliver at ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin. Dr. Kohlenberg is also her primary care provider.
“At the end of the day, I am a patient and it is very helpful to have an objective mind behind all the decisions being made about my care,” she said. “This way, I don’t have to be my own doctor. I get to be a mom and a wife, and leave the details to my doctor. This is a great luxury.”
During a “baby boom”, Dr. Cynthia Fisher, Dr. Kirsten Grove, Jessica Tomasiewicz, CRNA and Dr. Rachel Kurinsky have all been cared for by ThedaCare physicians in Berlin, a rural town of about 5,000 people. Most of those physicians helped with delivery of their babies as well.
“I didn’t feel like a doctor, they treated me like any other patient, with care and compassion,” said Dr. Grove. “All of the focus was on me and my baby.”
Dr. Fisher cared for Dr. Grove and helped deliver her little one in February 2018.
“We work side by side and then go in for appointments,” said Dr. Grove. “It’s different when you’re the patient; we always maintain that high standard of care.”
Dr. Fisher explained that it is somewhat unique for family medicine physicians to provide care that includes obstetrics. She said close relationships with families are what make her position special.
“Your patients become family and you develop close bonds with them,” said Dr. Fisher. “The same doctors who perform deliveries are also the same doctors you see for a cough. You become more comfortable with your provider which can lead to better health for all.”
Dr. Puglisi added that engaging in the community is one of her favorite aspects of practicing in rural areas.
“People are drawn to small communities because of close ties with neighbors,” said Dr. Puglisi. “I live and practice in this area because I want to know and support my community and the people living in it. I think my patients feel the same way. The more we are connected, the better experience we all have.”
Dr. Grove said it’s been enjoyable to see team members experiencing pregnancy and comparing stories, because no pregnancy or delivery is ever the same. She also said it’s great to see other expecting moms who have children the same age as her son.
“It is fun for me to see them grow, develop and meet milestones,” she said. “You see it in your children and you want to be there for other families to help guide them.”
Dr. Kurinksy saw Dr. Fisher while she was expecting her baby, Maia.
“I chose Dr. Fisher because I work with her and knew she would take great care of both of us,” said Dr. Kurinsky. “It was a great experience to be able to get excellent care so close to work and home. It’s special for Maia’s doctor to have known her from the very beginning.”
Jessica Tomasiewicz, CRNA, who delivered her daughter Addison in May 2018, said that the option of your primary care provider delivering babies shows the great work taking place at ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin.
“We have amazing team members here,” said Tomasiewicz. “The services we provide at a rural hospital allow patients and families to stay close to home, while getting expert care they expect at a bigger hospital.”
The team members want those living in rural areas to know they don’t have to travel elsewhere for care.
“There are OB services in your community,” said Tomasiewicz. “We want patients to get to know their doctors and staff, and when they provide pregnancy and delivery care, that bond continues to develop. I trust them all and I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
ThedaCare provides Obstetrics services at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton, ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, ThedaCare Medical Center-New London, ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano and ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca.
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