COUNTY Magazine

A Chat with the Doctor

At Midlife Wellness Center

By COUNTY Staff

COUNTY Staff recently visited with Brenda S. Smith, M.D., of the Midlife Wellness Center.

COUNTY: How do you define wellness personally for yourself?

Dr. Smith: Wellness is not perfection. Wellness is finding the balance in life that allows me to contribute in a positive way. Life and circumstances are always changing, so to be well I must be healthy enough physically, emotionally and intellectually to continue adapting to these changes.

COUNTY: You left obstetrics and women care to open the wellness center. Was there one event, or a series of events that spurred you in that direction?

Dr. Smith: Sitting in front of women daily as a doctor and being a woman, I was impressed with the complex health issues that impact the quality of life women experience at midlife; and there was no question our current system of health care was failing them. I define midlife as the time in life - usually starting in our 30’s - that we realize our health is starting to decline. Hormones change, metabolism changes, stress and responsibility are increasing. At midlife health maintenance is required. I knew I needed to provide myself and my patients with more time and attention to tackle these issues. In a busy, fast-paced typical office setting, this was just not possible. I had to devise a new way of delivering care to women at midlife that honored them.

COUNTY: What is your approach for a patient to getting started on the path to wellness?

Dr. Smith: A thorough, individualized assessment of a woman’s health and habits is required. I spend 3 hours with a patient at her first visit. During this visit, I obtain important information and start educating women about preventive health. After any testing that is indicated is completed, I develop a comprehensive Wellness Plan for that patient. So the path to Wellness at midlife starts with a well thought out health plan.

COUNTY: What is the single greatest obstacle for your patients? How do you help them overcome it?

Dr. Smith: Most women at midlife are experiencing multiple difficulties, and they become overwhelmed in their attempts to manage their health. They are not sure where to start, and they are trying to use tidbits of disjointed information from multiple sources to solve their problems. They need direction and focus. Providing them with time, attention and an action plan turns this chaos into progress.

COUNTY: Do you treat both genders? How is the aging process different for men and women?

Dr. Smith: Since I am trained as an obstetrician/gynecologist, I just limit my practice to women. I know I am biased, but as women age, I do believe our unique hormones, our vast responsibilities and our unselfish attention to others instead of ourselves all contribute to some pretty significant obstacles to Wellness. Helping women understand Wellness and helping them restructure their lives, so they can achieve Wellness is all part of working with women.

COUNTY: When should a woman/man begin thinking about wellness and your approach to wellness?

Dr. Smith: Of course, optimally we should always be striving for Wellness. Practically speaking, however, I see that in their 30’s most women begin to notice their health is declining and need to start devoting time to health maintenance.

COUNTY: I noticed you have several books on your website. Which is your favorite and why?

Dr. Smith: I like What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Breast Cancer. Breast cancer is the number one cancer for women. I am tired of women - young and old - being affected by this disease. This book is about prevention, not just standing in line for a mammogram that detects cancer. When I discuss with women the many things they can incorporate into their lives that would decrease their risk of breast cancer, they are surprised. Women need more information and positive action if we are going to beat this disease.

COUNTY: What are your hobbies?

Dr. Smith: Any one that knows me knows I love to decorate. I really enjoyed decorating the Midlife Wellness Center. My theme was calm, cool and collected, just like I want my patients to be. I also love being close to nature and never pass up a chance to see a sunset or sit by the ocean.

COUNTY: What is your greatest dream, realized or unrealized?

Dr. Smith: My greatest dream realized is opening the Midlife Wellness Center. I feel proud and honored to have been able to orchestrate this change in my life and the lives of my patients. The service I provide at the Midlife Wellness Center is obviously needed (ask any woman in midlife!). It’s risky and difficult, however, to leave a successful practice and dive into new territory.

My greatest dream unrealized; I am still trying to convince insurance companies that women at midlife are worthy of time and attention.

Brenda S. Smith, M.D.



	A Chat with the Doctor At Midlife Wellness Center By COUNTY Staff COUNTY Staff recently visited with Brenda S. Smith, M.D., of the Midlife Wellness Center. COUNTY: How do you define wellness personally for yourself? Dr. Smith: Wellness is not perfection. Wellness is finding the balance in life that allows me to contribute in a positive way. Life and circumstances are always changing, so to be well I must be healthy enough physically, emotionally and intellectually to continue adapting to these changes. COUNTY: You left obstetrics and women care to open the wellness center. Was there one event, or a series of events that spurred you in that direction? Dr. Smith: Sitting in front of women daily as a doctor and being a woman, I was impressed with the complex health issues that impact the quality of life women experience at midlife; and there was no question our current system of health care was failing them. I define midlife as the time in life - usually starting in our 30’s - that we realize our health is starting to decline. Hormones change, metabolism changes, stress and responsibility are increasing. At midlife health maintenance is required. I knew I needed to provide myself and my patients with more time and attention to tackle these issues. In a busy, fast-paced typical office setting, this was just not possible. I had to devise a new way of delivering care to women at midlife that honored them. COUNTY: What is your approach for a patient to getting started on the path to wellness? Dr. Smith: A thorough, individualized assessment of a woman’s health and habits is required. I spend 3 hours with a patient at her first visit. During this visit, I obtain important information and start educating women about preventive health. After any testing that is indicated is completed, I develop a comprehensive Wellness Plan for that patient. So the path to Wellness at midlife starts with a well thought out health plan. COUNTY: What is the single greatest obstacle for your patients? How do you help them overcome it? Dr. Smith: Most women at midlife are experiencing multiple difficulties, and they become overwhelmed in their attempts to manage their health. They are not sure where to start, and they are trying to use tidbits of disjointed information from multiple sources to solve their problems. They need direction and focus. Providing them with time, attention and an action plan turns this chaos into progress. COUNTY: Do you treat both genders? How is the aging process different for men and women? Dr. Smith: Since I am trained as an obstetrician/gynecologist, I just limit my practice to women. I know I am biased, but as women age, I do believe our unique hormones, our vast responsibilities and our unselfish attention to others instead of ourselves all contribute to some pretty significant obstacles to Wellness. Helping women understand Wellness and helping them restructure their lives, so they can achieve Wellness is all part of working with women. COUNTY: When should a woman/man begin thinking about wellness and your approach to wellness? Dr. Smith: Of course, optimally we should always be striving for Wellness. Practically speaking, however, I see that in their 30’s most women begin to notice their health is declining and need to start devoting time to health maintenance. COUNTY: I noticed you have several books on your website. Which is your favorite and why? Dr. Smith: I like What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Breast Cancer. Breast cancer is the number one cancer for women. I am tired of women - young and old - being affected by this disease. This book is about prevention, not just standing in line for a mammogram that detects cancer. When I discuss with women the many things they can incorporate into their lives that would decrease their risk of breast cancer, they are surprised. Women need more information and positive action if we are going to beat this disease. COUNTY: What are your hobbies? Dr. Smith: Any one that knows me knows I love to decorate. I really enjoyed decorating the Midlife Wellness Center. My theme was calm, cool and collected, just like I want my patients to be. I also love being close to nature and never pass up a chance to see a sunset or sit by the ocean. COUNTY: What is your greatest dream, realized or unrealized? Dr. Smith: My greatest dream realized is opening the Midlife Wellness Center. I feel proud and honored to have been able to orchestrate this change in my life and the lives of my patients. The service I provide at the Midlife Wellness Center is obviously needed (ask any woman in midlife!). It’s risky and difficult, however, to leave a successful practice and dive into new territory. My greatest dream unrealized; I am still trying to convince insurance companies that women at midlife are worthy of time and attention. Brenda S. Smith, M.D.