Talented doctors have a knack for sensing when a slight change in course might garner huge impacts for their patients. That’s why, after more than 50 years operating as a private practice, Charleston OB/GYN made the decision in February to join Roper St. Francis Physician Partners. “Joining the healthcare system allows us to focus on being physicians and caring for patients rather than worrying over the stressors of running a business,” says Dr. Lauren Hamilton, Medical Director of Women, Infants & Children at Roper St. Francis Healthcare. She has been with Charleston OB/GYN since she first began practicing nearly 30 years ago.
“Our goals and beliefs align with the Roper St. Francis Healthcare mission of ‘healing all people with compassion, faith and excellence.’ We very much trust them and believe they want us to succeed,” adds Dr. Denise Devine, who came onboard the practice in 2003. “We’re hoping to maintain that smaller, personalized environment with the benefits of a larger system.”
Smooth operator
The Charleston OB/GYN providers see this transition as easy and seamless – after all, these doctors have always delivered babies and conducted surgeries at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Their care team, office location and appointment schedule also remain the same.
“Honestly, we don’t want it to feel like a change for patients,” says Dr. Devine. But the perks will certainly be palpable. “As a practice, we’ll have more resources and stability.” The doctors point out that their patients will now have greater access to the latest medical innovations and services, more coordinated care and streamlined records through Epic’s MyChart, which they regard as the best source for electronic medical records.
Charleston OB/GYN’s employees will benefit from the move, too, enjoying greater job satisfaction, more expansive benefits and a better work-life balance.
Growing season
Since joining Roper St. Francis Physician Partners means no longer having to juggle the day-to-day demands of a private business, Drs. Hamilton and Devine are also keen to grow their practice in meaningful ways, including building up obstetrics, Centering Pregnancy and developing midwife services. “We’ve talked about expanding our knowledge and earning certifications in areas that we’re really interested in – for me, that’s menopause, perimenopause and hormone therapy,” explains Dr. Hamilton.
Impressed with Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s mission work in underserved areas of the world, Dr. Devine is excited to explore bringing prenatal care to rural South Carolina through a mobile clinic and dig into OB/GYN care in third-world countries. “I’ve reached a place in my career where I want to give back more, and I can do that within this system. For that, I’m proud to be a part of Roper St. Francis Healthcare.”
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