Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Soyini Hawkins.
Dr. Hawkins, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to go into the sciences. In fifth grade, my teacher asked me why do you want to be a nurse like your aunt, what about a doctor? The thought had never crossed my mind before then. I cultivated that desire to become a doctor by taking advantage of experiences that exposed me to hard work and medicine. My family played a large part in motivating me early on and served as great examples of how hard work pays off. My parents emigrated from Jamaica, WI to Washington DC to advance their education and provide for their children. My mother received her bachelors and graduate degrees while being a wife, mother of two young children, living in a one bedroom apartment and traveling hours back and forth to class. We moved up the ranks over the years and changed cities, chasing her career growth throughout my entire childhood. That made me not afraid to venture out on my own and travel to chase my career as well. I attended Xavier University of Louisiana, a Historically Black University and only black Catholic University. This University is prided on advancing the most African Americans into Medical School for several decades. That step in choosing the right higher education was crucial to me. From there, I earned my bachelor’s of science and I went on to receive a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University and Medical Degree from Morehouse School of Medicine. While in Medical School I meet my future husband Osei Hawkins, an Atlanta entrepreneur. In Maryland, while completing my residency in OB/Gyn and Fellowship, I was privileged to work with legendary gynecologic surgeons including Drs. Fermin Barrueto, Kevin Audlin, Dwight Im, and Neil Rosenshein.
I went into women’s health specifically because I wanted to not just help my patients in that moment but leave a lasting impact on their lives. I chose to specialize in Gynecologic surgery because my heart is in the operating room (OR). The impact made in relieving women of their pains, discomforts, and giving them back their sense of well-being and freedom from suffering is impactful. Fibroid and Pelvic Wellness Center of Georgia is my dream come to fruition. Two well respected, world renowned Urogynecologists, Drs. John Miklos and Robert Moore believed in my vision and skill and took a chance in establishing and mentoring my start. Since opening our doors in 2014 we have evolved into a well-respected practice with a caring team that only wants the best for our patients. I personally see myself, or my sister, or grandmother in each of my patients and it is why the late hours, long days in the OR, and complex and risky cases are worth it. My motto for all my patients is to live their lives how they desire to, and not to suffer. Also, I encourage them to feel empowered and confident in their sexuality and strengths. As women, most of us feel our main purpose is to care for our loved ones, which occasionally leads to self-neglect. Even the partners in our lives would agree, self-care is essential.
Has it been a smooth road?
Establishing a brand new medical private practice has many struggles. It’s not considered the ideal practice atmosphere for most because of the many obstacles. It’s nice to be your own boss, but it means initially being everyone else’s boss, HR, secretary, the handyman, and taking all the pay cuts. Not having a base of patients to start with also means lots of networking, marketing, and selling yourself everywhere you go.
Coming from a hospital system where my only real concern was patient care, it was an adjustment. Luckily through the mentorship of my business partners and previous preceptors and mentors, the path was somewhat paved and the wheel did not have to be reinvented. They were just a phone call away. Now luckily the biggest struggle is fitting patients into a busy schedule. The learning curve was steep and our practice is constantly evolving but it is no longer a struggle. It’s exciting to be past the phase of newness that is inevitably a part of any new business, now we are moving into maintenance and growth. My practice is there. I have even begun to look for new heights as well to the next advancement and next field that can be of benefit to my patients. I was recently inducted as the first woman in an international society of well-respected physicians committed to the study, research and advancement of the field of Neuropelveology, ISON. Neuropelveology is the study of preservation of pelvic nerves during laparoscopic radical surgery and neurosurgical procedures on the pelvic nerves. It is innovative and exciting for the management of chronic pelvic pain patients.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Fibroid and Pelvic Wellness Center of Georgia – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Fibroid and Pelvic Wellness Center is a practice that was established to focus on the subspecialized gynecologic care of women’s pelvic health. I am fellowship trained in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and pelvic health. What that means is I’ve spent two years of additional training after residency to focus on gynecologic evaluation, diagnosis, surgical technique, minimally invasive surgery focusing on endoscopy including laparoscopy (looking through a scope and operating in the abdomen), hysteroscopy (looking/operating through a scope in the uterus) and cystoscopy (looking/operating through a scope in the bladder). I am also extensively trained in robotic laparoscopic surgery and can perform most benign gynecologic procedures. My practice sees and cares for most gynecologic surgical conditions but has become primarily focused on abnormal uterine bleeding and fibroid management, a condition that affects 80% of women. We are now known for our minimally invasive approach to more complex cases and giving women more options than just a hysterectomy or large incision. Many primary care physicians refer their patients to us and even general gynecologist refer more complex cases for management. We also manage postmenopausal hormone therapy. I am very proud that my practice has an impeccable reputation and very positive patient testimonies and reviews. It is important to us that we maintain integrity in our care of patients and in our community. What sets us apart is our expertise and the extensive options we can offer patients.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity and culture of our city. It’s progressive and also has a southern charm. Coming from a small island in the Caribbean, the familiar ease of interactions with neighbors and strangers in Atlanta is refreshing. Growing up, up north I can appreciate the forward-thinking mentality of most Atlantans and common hustle of the young population. Atlanta is a great place to raise a family and get an education. My husband and I plan to stay here and raise or two sons. I love that it is continuously growing and you never have to experience the same place or adventure twice unless you want to. Unfortunately, with the growth comes traffic, which so far is the only thing I don’t like! Luckily though, most places you go is worth the ride.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3400 Old Milton Parkway, Building C, Suite 330 , Alpharetta, GA 30005
- Website: www.FibroidAndPelvicWellness.com
- Phone: 770-475-4499
- Email: smh@fibroidandpelvicwellness.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/soyinihawkinsmd
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fibroidandpelvicwellness/
Image Credit:
Dr. Sybile Val
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