Welcome to Lifecycle Women’s Health!
I am having a hard time containing my excitement about starting a practice by me, for you! I welcome you to Lifecycle Women’s Health, a women’s health care center located in the Big White Barn in the beautiful, hilly, lakes region of Central Maine.
I understand that most of you have many choices about where to get health care. Finding and then trusting a person to take care of you is not an easy task, and should take some effort and work. So first I want to thank you for stopping by my site. Now I need to tell you why you should come to Lifecycle Women’s Health.
I am a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), and although I have decided to stop caring for people during the childbearing year, my philosophy of care is based on the midwifery model of care. The basic tenets of this model include:
· Individualized, sensitive, and gentle care.
· Minimal use of medical interventions, letting best evidence guide decisions.
· Encourage active participation in your care. You lead the way.
· Sensitivity to providing the time you need.
· Equitable and inclusive health care for all.
After 30 years of working as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and a CNM in large hospital groups I learned how much I loved the relationships and connections that I made with my clients. However as the business of health care is evolving from a “patient centered” to a money making industry, I became frustrated and did not feel I could give good care. Productivity surpassed the importance of best practice. It was my dream to create a space where women could come for care in a non-rushed, affordable, and relaxing environment, to give the personalized care that I feel women really deserve. Midwife means “with women” and I found it hard to be “with women” when I had to constantly look at a clock.
In this practice I will provide comprehensive well-body and sexual health care, building on my years of experience, in an environment that is not clinical or rushed. I will encourage lifestyle changes but recommend medical modalities, prescribing medication, lab work and diagnostic testing, as well as identifying when a referral to another provider is appropriate. The goal is to meet you where you are, on your level, to work with you to reach your optimal physical, emotional, and social health care goals.
Just as in anything in life, I could not have come to this point alone. I must take this opportunity to graciously acknowledge those that have helped me along the way. I am not sure where I would be without the support and love from my midwifery colleagues who have been in the trenches with me all these years, and always found the time to listen and give me encouragement. (You know who you are). I also want to give a huge shout out to Dr. Lisa Clarcq and Dr. Jennifer McDonnell for opening up their hearts and their space at the Big White Barn. And of course, to my wonderful family; Jonathan, Charlie, and my husband Ben who continue to have faith in me and ground me, and who are my home.
Susan Kamin, CNM, MSN, MPH opened Lifecycle Women’s Health in order to provide sensitive and equitable women’s health care in a safe and non-rushed environment. Her focus is on sexual health and well body care for all women from adolescence past menopause. She works in partnership with her clients to achieve optimal wellness by encouraging lifestyle changes and incorporating natural as well as medical remedies as needed.
If I am not addressing topics that are important to you, please let me know and send ideas for future posts. Thanks for visiting!
