This conversation with Dr. Terri-Ann Samuels highlights the field of urogynecology/female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. It was an interesting overview of the field, and Dr. Samuels also had some great advice for medical students, including an emphasis on lifelong learning. 

• With all of the advances in surgery and surgical techniques, and especially the acceleration of technology in the last five years, she highlighted this as a key skill. 
• She also emphasized the importance of mentors, and how important that had been in her own career. 
• She advised that when you’re working with your mentors, really try to focus in on those whose work life and lifestyle, inside and outside of work, aligns with what you envision for yourself. And ask questions, like what time do they get home from the hospital.
• She also discussed the role of autonomy, and how being able to start her own practice and control her schedule has really helped her live her values, including her medical mission work in fistula repair in other countries.

Dr. Samuels is a board-certified urogynecologist/female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeon. She founded her private practice Essentially You with a focus on surgical and non-invasive treatments for pelvic medicine conditions. She completed her residency in Obstetrics Gynecology and then a fellowship in Urogynecology.  She is active in speaking on women’s health issues, and has been involved in international medical and surgical missions for many years, including fistula mission work in Kenya and Liberia.

More about Dr. Samuels and her practice

Information from the American Urogynecologic Society on the field