- April 23, 2024
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'I love them all down there," says former Halifax Health – Women's Care Now patient Ellie Snyder.
BY WAYNE GRANT | STAFF WRITER
When Ellie Mae Snyder, 43, of Ormond Beach, became pregnant last year, she didn’t feel that she had the medical care that she needed. Her doctor had retired, and she wasn’t comfortable with the medical practice that took over his patients.
“I felt like they didn’t care about me,” she said. “If I had a problem, they blew it off. I wasn’t happy.”
But her situation changed in October when she visited Halifax Health Medical Center for a sonogram, and the technician told her about Halifax Health - Women’s Care Now, at 325 Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite 390, which was about to open.
Snyder said she made an appointment and, when she went, she felt an instant connection to the staff.
“They truly listened to every word I said,” she said. “I felt comfortable right off the bat. They solved every problem I had.”
Before the clinic opened, Bonnie Wittman, administrator of the Center for Women and Infant Health at Halifax Health, said the goal of the clinic was to have a clinic run by women, for women.
“We’re going to listen,” she said. “You’re not going to hear, ‘That’s just part of getting older.’”
Nurse practitioner Sue Chappuis, who manages the clinic, said she wants women to come in no matter what stage of pregnancy they are in. They do not need to be embarrassed about not seeing a doctor.
“This is a no-judgment zone,” she said.
The clinic offers a full range of women’s health services and health-related educational programs.
Chappuis said the Ormond clinic has seen more than 300 patients since opening.
“People walk in and say, ‘I can’t get care,’” she said.
Many of the women don’t have primary care doctors or insurance, she added. The clinic works with the Volusia County Health Department to arrange for Medicare when needed.
In December, Becker’s Hospital Review included Halifax Health in its list of “100 Hospitals With Great Women’s Health Programs.” The list recognizes gynecology programs, obstetrics and reproductive medicine. Halifax Health is the only hospital in Central East Florida to make the list.
“This is a tremendous honor for Halifax Health,” Wittman said. “We are proud that our women’s services continue to evolve.”
Snyder's baby, Franklin Dean Park, was born Dec. 28, weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces. Now healthy, he was kept in a special nursery for a while because he was a little premature, and had a fast heart rate, according to Susan Bekken, a registered lactation consultant who works at Women’s Care Now.
Snyder could not get to the nursery right away because she was recovering from a Caesarian section.
“They fed him with a bottle,” she said. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to breast feed my baby.”
Bekken showed Snyder how to use a breast pump, and then later helped her to start breast feeding her baby.
“I love them all down there," Snyder said. "Everything fell into place. Now I’m going to a pediatrician they recommended. ”
Women’s Care Now also presents “Teen Tuesday” for teenage girls.
“Girls Night Out”
Women’s Care Now, at 325 Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite 390, will have an open house for women 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 30, focusing on health topics such as cervical cancer awareness and breast feeding. Call 425-4450.
